Side step finish repair

[saintpauljeff]

I've got the N-Fab Predator Pro side steps, which are an aluminum product with black powdercoating. Well, as expected, the finish has chipped away some. I'm inquiring about warranty coverage, but assuming that isn't honored, what is a good paint recommendation for repair? I'd like to paint it and not have to respray every single year if possible.

(reposting from a different forum)

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[Lunentucker]

I'd be tempted to take them off and Line-X them.
Mine only have minor rock chips, so I've been using an acrylic marker.

 

[saintpauljeff]

I'd be tempted to take them off and Line-X them.
Mine only have minor rock chips, so I've been using an acrylic maker.

Line-X is an idea I hadn’t thought of, thx

 

[XJamesX]

I had some chipping and surface rust after a year on my aftermarket side steps (can’t remember which brand right now), and I wire wheeled them clean and sprayed Raptor Liner on them with 2 coats. That lasted another year before rust started showing up again.
So this summer I pulled them off again, along with my Rough Country bumpers, and had them blasted and powder coated a matching black. Just an FYI, the whole process ran me $700. The bumpers didn't have any surface rust but I wanted the texture and color to match on all 4.
Just wanted to throw this out there…

 

[saintpauljeff]

I had some chipping and surface rust after a year on my aftermarket side steps (can’t remember which brand right now), and I wire wheeled them clean and sprayed Raptor Liner on them with 2 coats. That lasted another year before rust started showing up again.
So this summer I pulled them off again, along with my Rough Country bumpers, and had them blasted and powder coated a matching black. Just an FYI, the whole process ran me $700. The bumpers didn't have any surface rust but I wanted the texture and color to match on all 4.
Just wanted to throw this out there…

thought about re-powdercoating but if I go that route, I’d rather push N-Fab for a warranty claim (supposedly should have 5yr coverage on the finish)

I’ve not tried Raptor Liner before, you use one of their primers before the top coating?

 

[XJamesX]

I remember following their instructions on the package, but I don’t remember buying a second product. I know that sounds funny that I can’t recall a year and a half ago, but that‘s how my memory is nowadays.

 

[saintpauljeff]

Opened a warranty support request w/ N-Fab, we shall see what they say. I'll then need to weigh the idea of shipping costs back to them if indeed it is a valid claim (unless they have a local option). Otherwise, I've bought some etchant/primer and paint top coat and may just go that route if the claim is denied. Depending on how well the paint application holds up would determine if I try the Raptor Liner product on the ends of the steps. Going to try and take my time with the process here, I was hoping I wouldn't need maintenance on aluminum steps but I guess nothing is immune.

 

[saintpauljeff]

N-Fab responded and will process a warranty claim. Now determining if just the end caps or entire steps will be included on the claim. So no painting/Line-Xing necessary at this time. I'm happy to hear about a manufacturer honoring their warranty, gives me faith in these parts we buy.

 

[saintpauljeff]

N-Fab responded and will process a warranty claim. Now determining if just the end caps or entire steps will be included on the claim. So no painting/Line-Xing necessary at this time. I'm happy to hear about a manufacturer honoring their warranty, gives me faith in these parts we buy.

shoutout to @n-fab they are not only processing my claim for two new Predator Pro side steps, they're also not asking for me to send the old ones back, that saves me money ?

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