Rock slider rusty plates - rust converter and prevention?

[GladLad]

I have the Rockhard 4x4 Patriot rock sliders that I'll be giving a touchup to cleanup and prevent rust. However, most rust speckles are just splashed from the rusty plates that go between the sliders and the body, and not rust on the actual sliders.

Rust removal from the plates:
I don't want to disassemble these, but would it be safe to drip a liquid rust converter on these plates in place? One side touches body paint, the other the powder coated slider. It's generally not safe for body paint, but I don't know if it's so bad it would corrode paint and spread from this otherwise unseen area.

The sliders themselves will just be cleaned, scuffed, degreased, and painted. No real rust to speak of requiring converter unless I see some after cleaning.

Rust prevention of the plates:
I use fluid film on the under carriage, though I have not on the plates. It's greasy and attracts dirt, but that's likely OK since they're in a mostly unseen area. However, I'm wondering if there's something more appropriate that won't spread across the area/paint and attract dirt?

Thanks!

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[Bandit’s Lair]

You’re going to hate to hear it but, your best bet is to take them off and give them the works. The rust in the pic is only what you can see. You’ll find more once it’s apart. If you’re interested in keeping those sliders, then removal and a full treatment is needed. Take em off, scrub em down, POR15, primer, or similar coating on them, then paint with a readily available rattle can from the big box store. I avoid powder coating on armor I know is going to get bashed. The rattle can fixes never really match up to the powder coating process. Bumpers I’ll powder coat, but sliders and skids get rattle canned so I know when I go to touch them up I can match the color anywhere there’s a hardware store.

Might want to see if you can find a barrier for between the slider and the body as well. 1/8” rubber gasket type stuff to keep any rust from traveling from slider to body/frame.

 

[GladLad]

You’re going to hate to hear it but, your best bet is to take them off and give them the works. The rust in the pic is only what you can see. You’ll find more once it’s apart. If you’re interested in keeping those sliders, then removal and a full treatment is needed. Take em off, scrub em down, POR15, primer, or similar coating on them, then paint with a readily available rattle can from the big box store. I avoid powder coating on armor I know is going to get bashed. The rattle can fixes never really match up to the powder coating process. Bumpers I’ll powder coat, but sliders and skids get rattle canned so I know when I go to touch them up I can match the color anywhere there’s a hardware store.

Might want to see if you can find a barrier for between the slider and the body as well. 1/8” rubber gasket type stuff to keep any rust from traveling from slider to body/frame.

Thanks. You're right, I hate to hear it. Not just because it's a pain to remove and treat, but because I wouldn't expect it to be permanent, requiring future repetition. Dripping some reformer and fluid film in it on occasion wouldn't be so bad.

I've had POR15 on a chassis before, but didn't get a chance to see its durability. How do you expect it would fair on the plates, tightly cranked down between slider and body, and going through the winter/summer elements?

I like the idea of a gasket, but unsure of its durability. Getting squeezed between the plates, vibration, and time/weather won't be kind to it. Once it degrades that's a loose gap between the two. Maybe a thinner sheet. EPDM might be the best choice.

I agree, and am just using rattle can paint. It's something that will need repeated touchups for its lifetime. It came powder coated, but touchups are paint.

Thanks again.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

POR15 will last a long time. Especially on the inner sections of the slider towards the body. The outer sections aren’t as much of an issue because you can retreat/repaint to prevent rust.

I forget the actual material used for a gasket type material and maybe someone else can chime in. It used to be standard practice with the TJ and LJ when doing something like full corner armor to put one between the plate and the body. It was like a rubber/vinyl type material.

 

[Rusty PW]

After you are done painting them. Spray them with rattle can bed liner spray. Stuff won't chip. Plus it's easy to touch up.

Anytime I get something that has been powder coated. I will get it sprayed with LineX. Then touch up with rattle can bed liner spray.

 

[GladLad]

POR15 will last a long time. Especially on the inner sections of the slider towards the body. The outer sections aren’t as much of an issue because you can retreat/repaint to prevent rust.

I forget the actual material used for a gasket type material and maybe someone else can chime in. It used to be standard practice with the TJ and LJ when doing something like full corner armor to put one between the plate and the body. It was like a rubber/vinyl type material.

Thanks. The combo of POR on the difficult to reach side, and paint on the rest could be a good idea.

Ahh, that makes sense for corner armor. I looked it up and some use welting as a seal, or material in between. In that scenario they're trying to prevent water or dirt from getting in, to prevent rust, or dirt vibration sanding their paint. Essentially, filling the gap.

In my scenario, I don't have or want a gap. I need the slider-plate-jeep all to be cranked down tight with no gaps. That's not to say a sheet of epdm couldn't be helpful. But I think it'd have to be pretty thin and squeezed tight, so that when it degrades away I'm not adding gap wobble, even if minor.

Thanks again.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

After you are done painting them. Spray them with rattle can bed liner spray. Stuff won't chip. Plus it's easy to touch up.

Anytime I get something that has been powder coated. I will get it sprayed with LineX. Then touch up with rattle can bed liner spray.

That bedliner stuff is tough!! I like it and have used it I just don’t like the abrasion you get with it. I’m always in jeans and boots but the kids not so much.

 

[GladLad]

After you are done painting them. Spray them with rattle can bed liner spray. Stuff won't chip. Plus it's easy to touch up.

Anytime I get something that has been powder coated. I will get it sprayed with LineX. Then touch up with rattle can bed liner spray.

I considered bed liner when I first got them to give them grip for stepping on. But I went with skateboard tape on the passenger side only, since I don't step on them.

I find bed liner use on rock sliders to be a bit controversial though. Some say it doesn't last any longer, so needs just as frequent touchup. Not a problem. But worse yet, since they're a thick coating, when they chip they can let water in underneath to rust from the inside. At least for the diy rattle can bed liner.

Reports are varied, as everyone has their preference. I'll have to look into it more if I'm going to take these off and give them the full treatment.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

I have the Rockhard 4x4 Patriot rock sliders that I'll be giving a touchup to cleanup and prevent rust. However, most rust speckles are just splashed from the rusty plates that go between the sliders and the body, and not rust on the actual sliders.

Rust removal from the plates:
I don't want to disassemble these, but would it be safe to drip a liquid rust converter on these plates in place? One side touches body paint, the other the powder coated slider. It's generally not safe for body paint, but I don't know if it's so bad it would corrode paint and spread from this otherwise unseen area.

The sliders themselves will just be cleaned, scuffed, degreased, and painted. No real rust to speak of requiring converter unless I see some after cleaning.

Rust prevention of the plates:
I use fluid film on the under carriage, though I have not on the plates. It's greasy and attracts dirt, but that's likely OK since they're in a mostly unseen area. However, I'm wondering if there's something more appropriate that won't spread across the area/paint and attract dirt?

Thanks!

I would remove them entirely and then sand blast and add a heavy coat of Line-X color matched.

 

[GladLad]

I would remove them entirely and then sand blast and add a heavy coat of Line-X color matched.

Color match my sliders to blue? What do you think this is, a High Altitude?

Now, if you mean color match the plates, that's kind of fun.

 

[Rusty PW]

Color match my sliders to blue? What do you think this is, a High Altitude?

Now, if you mean color match the plates, that's kind of fun.

I had the front bumper on my Power Wagon LineX. The color matched the rest of the truck.

Damn.........I miss that truck.

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