Are you sliders rusting?

[Altaf]

So my never used for what they were made for sliders are rusting, particularly where the welds are. I'm detailing the Cruiser and the little rust spots just make it look a bit neglected.

Is this normal for 2 year old sliders from a very reputable shop? I'll post some pics soon.

 

[CRZR45]

Who's are they? I just had to ask..

 

[sleeoffroad]

I am pretty sure he has our sliders. My apologies that this is happening, or if you do not have our sliders anymore. Then it is someone elses problem. Anything can rust and powder coat is not the magic solution. Some areas as worse than others. DC (and a lot of the east coast) is probably one of those.

That said, we had some issues with the early design StepSliders that showed up over time. In the tight areas where the top plate meets the tube, you would not get coverage due to the powder not sticking in the areas due to the charge from both sides repelling the coating when applied. Also, the textures powder coat might be a little more porous than the regular semi black.


That is the main reason we have changed the sliders to have a bolt on top plate. We did not anticipate this happening, but it did. We can only improve it from the feedback we get. Ideally we should have done a 5 year salt wash test to make sure that there is no corrosion, but that is simply not possible.


I would suggest you clean the areas out with a wire brush to get rid of the rust, then treat with a rust converter and top coat with some Rustoleum. Use a small can and small brush.

We do our best to have the coatings done as best we can with the best prep, but sometimes you can not prevent it from happening. We tried to zinc platings before you do powder coat in the past, but this created other issues with acid (from the prep) getting trapped in the tubes and leaking out of small pin holes. This would happen when the parts were put into the ovens during the powder coat process. When this happens, the acid eats the powder coat and create a bigger mess.

The only true way to do it is to do galvanizing before coating, but then you end up with a pretty rough texture. It was also cost prohibitive to do the two processes.

What does the rest of the truck look like underneath?

 

[Sc0-]

Whoa, that sounds like a very reputable and well defined answer!

 

[Southeast Overland]

I had to pull the sliders on my FJC and repaint them with raddle can. They were powder coated from BentUp and being a DD and seeing some good trail usage they got beat up pretty well. I see a good many little, nicks that are rusting from gravel and road debris. Is this what you are seeing?

 

[Altaf]

Well there ya go, Mr. Slee himself has spoken. I didn't want to mention the name, I know he offers a lot to the community and myself I wasn't sure if my situation was unique or common. So yes, these are Slee Step Sliders.

The camera flash makes the rust look much worse than it really is but it is there never the less. Pretty much ever weld has some rust forming I believe.

View from top

Another from top

View from underneath, facing rear

Driver's side

Driver's side

Passenger's side

Passenger's side

 

[sleeoffroad]

Your pictures show exactly the issues we had. I would address the spots now to prevent more corrosion.

The bottom is a different matter. Any slider is subjected to sand blasting from the bottom and there is very little to hold up to that.

One other option is to have it sprayed with bed liner. That way the top and bottom will be protected.

 

[80t0ylc]

Come on, man! We're talking sliders here, right? There supposed to be stepped on, scraped on rocks and other trail hazards and basically abused, right? They're for protection, not to look at. so there's a little rust where the sheet metal is welded. Grind it off & paint it! Are you going to freak every time the sliders get a nick if you're using them on a trail. Maybe you should have gotten them custom built out of stainless steel. I'm not just ranting at you. Racerlex. It's the attitude. Are we building our rigs to show off or to enjoy and use? I don't have sliders yet, but I'm looking forward to when I can. They'll be an improvement to the factory running boards, no matter what they look like. So, come on, man! (Stolen from Monday Night Football Countdown)

 

[Darwood]

I was waiting for the "your truck is supposed to look like crap" post.

 

[OGBeno]

I was waiting for the "your truck is supposed to look like crap" post.

That's my job!



Your truck is supposed to look like crap!

 

[80t0ylc]

Your truck is supposed to look like ****!

Come on, man! That's the other extreme!

 

[OGBeno]

Come on, man! That's the other extreme!

I'm definitely at that other extreme.

 

[80t0ylc]

I'm definitely at that other extreme.

 

[Doc]

I just plan on wire brushing mine every spring and re-spraying. My tires throw so much grit and salt up on them over the course of the year, by spring they look like carp (yes, the fish)...

 

[Altaf]

Your pictures show exactly the issues we had. I would address the spots now to prevent more corrosion.

The bottom is a different matter. Any slider is subjected to sand blasting from the bottom and there is very little to hold up to that.

One other option is to have it sprayed with bed liner. That way the top and bottom will be protected.

Got it. I know what to do now. Thanks!

 

[Altaf]

Come on, man! We're talking sliders here, right? There supposed to be stepped on, scraped on rocks and other trail hazards and basically abused, right? They're for protection, not to look at. so there's a little rust where the sheet metal is welded. Grind it off & paint it! Are you going to freak every time the sliders get a nick if you're using them on a trail. Maybe you should have gotten them custom built out of stainless steel. I'm not just ranting at you. Racerlex. It's the attitude. Are we building our rigs to show off or to enjoy and use? I don't have sliders yet, but I'm looking forward to when I can. They'll be an improvement to the factory running boards, no matter what they look like. So, come on, man! (Stolen from Monday Night Football Countdown)

I drive a if you ain't notice! Plus this forum has given me OCD!

I know what you're saying though. I have no problem with the sliders taking a hit mind you. But rust is the enemy and I do want to prevent it whenever possible. And yes I am extreme. My Cruiser gets a nice detail after each outing. I like to keep it very Lexus like when I'm on payment, m'k?

 

[MaddBaggins]

My Slee sliders have gotten quite a bit of rust...































Probably has something to do with the serious rock rash they've gotten

 

[619TOY]

Now that you've metioned this, I had to go out and check out mine. Darned if mine aren't rusting too. Since mine are Hanna's and I live in sunny California, it must just be normal

 

[arndog123]

I drive a if you ain't notice! Plus this forum has given me OCD!

I know what you're saying though. I have no problem with the sliders taking a hit mind you. But rust is the enemy and I do want to prevent it whenever possible. And yes I am extreme. My Cruiser gets a nice detail after each outing. I like to keep it very Lexus like when I'm on payment, m'k?

That's purty. What kind of wax do you use?

 

[Altaf]

My routine is to power wash and then use a Porter Cable random orbital buffer with Meguiars cleaning products. I start with M80 to buff out the scratches, then Deep Crystal polish, and finish with Gold Class wax.