Bludozer
SILVER Star
Any updates on this from anybody? Those who are in CA and said they are experiencing rust issues on their bumpers...do you have any pictures?
4x4 labs rear bumper rust
- Thread starter anel
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No update except that my bumper is doing the same thing.
I installed my bumper late '18 and noticed the PC peeling in early '19. No scratches or impact damage and I'm pretty good about doing a fresh water rinse if I drive in salt., and even if there was, the PC shouldn't have started peeling if it had good adhesion. I sent 4x4 Labs an email with pictures 2 months ago and haven't received a response yet. I just sent another with a fresh set of pictures showing more failed coating.
We'll see if/how they respond.
I installed my bumper late '18 and noticed the PC peeling in early '19. No scratches or impact damage and I'm pretty good about doing a fresh water rinse if I drive in salt., and even if there was, the PC shouldn't have started peeling if it had good adhesion. I sent 4x4 Labs an email with pictures 2 months ago and haven't received a response yet. I just sent another with a fresh set of pictures showing more failed coating.
We'll see if/how they respond.
I think the reports that 4x4 Labs is not responding to inquiries is a larger concern than the failed PC. With all sensitivities to a small business in the Cruiser community, you need to follow up with your customers when they contact you about a problem with your product. To do otherwise implies "we have your money. It's no longer our problem."
I know Luke has earned a solid reputation, and I hope he's able to preserve that reputation by making this stuff right.
I know Luke has earned a solid reputation, and I hope he's able to preserve that reputation by making this stuff right.
4x4 labs has the worst customer service of any business (except 1 who i won't name) that i have ever encountered and i have had multiple transactions with them. they make a good product most of the time and thats all they have going for them.
My rear swing out is seized and hardly works after just a few years, I thought these were supposed to be the most robust swing out on the market..
So the solution involves shipping the entire bumper to and from his shop for refinishing? Seems a bit ridiculous. I gotta believe it would be cheaper (and probably better) to have the bumper refinished properly by a reputable local shop.
surfpig
The Anti-Tech
I would say that for my bumper as well. Going on 6 years.
icorradoi
SILVER Star
I've had mine over 2 years in Norcal and have not had any rust issues yet. No harsh climates, but I do live near (15 miles) the beach. I did scratch up my White Knuckle slider and rear 4X4 Labs bumper on Hell's Gate last year, though and they are starting to rust.
I was wondering what type of paint I should touch them up with? I know it will not be a perfect match, but looking for something that someone has used to succesfully touch up these powder coated parts.
I was wondering what type of paint I should touch them up with? I know it will not be a perfect match, but looking for something that someone has used to succesfully touch up these powder coated parts.
Bludozer
SILVER Star
Sanding them to bare metal is more important than what type of paint, but assuming you have gotten all the way to bare metal, any oil based automotive black paint will do. POR-15, rustoleum, Eastwood, etc.
Last edited:
MoJ
Moderator
I’ve had really good results with Rustoleum self-etching primer and their industrial-grade paint. You’ll still need to first use a wire wheel to get to bare metal.
I received a reply from Luke and he's willing to work with me to offset the cost of repairing my bumper locally.
I'm glad because they have an awesome product line and I'll probably look to them for LC parts in the future. I didn't buy a jeep and there just aren't that many choices for LC products.
I agree that the community that supports 4x4 Labs and similar companies is small very sensitive to information posted on forums like this. 4x4 Labs has good rep, that's why have resisted the temptation to start a bashing campaign when the PC started falling off.
In fact, when I first noticed the PC failure, I did a quick internet search for 4x4 Labs rust issues and didn't find anything. After I reached out to them yesterday (May 9) I did the same search and this thread popped up.
I don't know if they coat in-house or outsource but it seems they recently ran into a process problem that hopefully is being resolved.
I also understand that running a small business is tough, and sometimes things like emails drop through the cracks when you’re staring at a pile of work. But, admin overhead is all part of the cost of doing business.
A note to 4x4 Labs if your reading this, it might be worth doing an in-house RCA and post the results and mitigations on your web page.
I'm glad because they have an awesome product line and I'll probably look to them for LC parts in the future. I didn't buy a jeep and there just aren't that many choices for LC products.
I agree that the community that supports 4x4 Labs and similar companies is small very sensitive to information posted on forums like this. 4x4 Labs has good rep, that's why have resisted the temptation to start a bashing campaign when the PC started falling off.
In fact, when I first noticed the PC failure, I did a quick internet search for 4x4 Labs rust issues and didn't find anything. After I reached out to them yesterday (May 9) I did the same search and this thread popped up.
I don't know if they coat in-house or outsource but it seems they recently ran into a process problem that hopefully is being resolved.
I also understand that running a small business is tough, and sometimes things like emails drop through the cracks when you’re staring at a pile of work. But, admin overhead is all part of the cost of doing business.
A note to 4x4 Labs if your reading this, it might be worth doing an in-house RCA and post the results and mitigations on your web page.
My labs bumper has a bit of rust same as my metal tech sliders do. Of course that is after 10 years on my truck that lives at the ocean and has salty sea kayaks dripping on it. That being said, I h8 powder coat. I touch up everything with cheap satin rattle can and eventually end up with a nice crinkly textured finish. The part of the armor that gets granite rash and dents, I don’t bother painting as it gets routinely sanded by more granite.
