Armor coating options/choices

[PSU Taco85]

I didn't see a good thread on painting/coating products for Armor (bumpers/sliders/skid plates, etc). I know there are alot of products available with various advantages/disadvantages to each choice.

I'm looking for some info for what to use for front/rear bumpers specifically, but I thought this thread would be a good spot to post up different products used/tested and how they have held up to the elements and wheeling adventures.

Here's a list I have compiled of possible products:

Standard rattle can
+ Cheap, easy to touch up, easy to apply
- chips easily and doesn't hold up well to scratches and the elements

Powder coating
+ Holds up well to the elements, looks great
- One of the more expensive options, not as easy to touch up, most people would not be able to apply themselves and have a shop do the work.

My sliders are powdercoated and so far they have held up great for normal use

Here is a shot of my CBI sliders I had powdercoated (by CBI)


Rustoleum truck bed coating
http://rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=367
+ cheap and readily available, easy to apply
- not sure it would hold up in the long run

Rustoleum rubberized undercoating
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=364
+ cheap and readily available, easy to apply
- not sure it would hold up in the long run

I have used this product in my wheel wells after beating back the pinch weld, so far it's held up well to rocks/dirt/mud being flinged at it


Duplicolor bed liner
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/truckBedCoating/

+ Similar to powdercoating only more durable to scratches
- expensive

No real world experience with the product

Line-X
http://www.linex.com/

+ Similar to powdercoating only more durable to scratches
- expensive

No real world experience with the product

Rhino line
http://www.rhinovehicleprotection.com/en/page/1/Home
+ Similar to powdercoating only more durable to scratches
- expensive


Joe's Relentless bumper coated with Rhino line


Herculiner
http://www.herculiner.com/
+ Similar to powdercoating only more durable to scratches
- expensive

No real world experience with the product

POR 15
http://www.por15.com/
+ Hard as nails, could touch up relatively easy
- expensive, not UV resistant and requires a top coat.

I used POR15 on all my skids and so far I must say they are holding up well and the only spots to chip off are ones that hit some big rocks which actually took out chunks of metal from the skids .

Here's a few shots of the POR15 in action on the skids, this stuff is tough as nails the only downside is it isn't UV resistant so a topcoat is required. For skids since they don't see the sun, no topcoat required








Monstaliner
http://www.monstaliner.com/

Jeff's Relentless is coated in Monstaliner, no details on how it has held up yet on the trails.





Raptor Liner
http://www.u-pol.com/product-cat/83/...-bed-liner.htm
No real experience with this product

So let's hear your opinions, facts, stories, experience with different products and what you would recommend

[tx_shooter]

IMHO if the part is a high impact part (aka sliders) then rattle can is the best bet. Easy to touch up and tough if applied in multiple coats.

[BearsFan07]

I tried this VHT Epoxy paint on my bumpers and sliders. NOT impressed. http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/epoxypaint/ after about a year (maybe 15 months) you can take your finger and wipe the bumper and get a black residue on it. At first it looked great but its not holding up to the sun.

[Oswego]

Rustoleum bed liner absolutely sucks.

After seeing 2 brand new steel front bumpers (1-2 weeks old) rusting out this weekend I have made up my mind..... Front bumper powder coat...everything else gets a roller with industrial paint or spray paint.

[Dark Knight]

Monstaliner seems to chip easily. I believe there was to much catalyst in the pre-measured pouch that comes with the kit. I had perfect painting conditions, weather wise, and the metal was prepped as specified by the Monstaliner directions.

I do really like how it turned out but it is just a little to crispy to not just chip off when dragged across rocks or even when the tire throws a rock up.

[Jandrews]

I've had my best luck with rubberized undercoating. Holds up better than rattle can paint to use, but touches up just as easily. Con would be that it's a bit more expensive.

I just use black rattlecan or rubberized undercoating...whatever I happen to have around at the time I happen to be touching up...

I do make it a point to get a nice thick coat of the rubberized stuff in areas vulnerable to rock chips. It holds up very well in areas that don't see impact often but get a lot of gravel thrown at 'em.

[Dark Knight]

the only thing I can think of that could have gone wrong is the directions specify to put a thin layer of acetone in the mixed can as a top layer so it wont "skin over" in between coats or pours into the roller pan. Maybe I could have put in to much??

[TacoXpo]

I personally like the look of the Rustolium Bedliner on my bumpers and sliders. Problem is that wax (does that even touch my truck? ) and dirt and mud are harder to clean out. I have found that Rustolium Bedliner followed by a coat of semi gloss black still gets the bedliner look but is much easier to clean.

[Lrgrnr]

Best cheapest way imo is to use 3m rubberised undercoating as a primer then top coat with good satin paint.

[TacoXpo]

Oh and did I mention that my bumper and sliders were delivered to me powder coated and it provided a great base.

[Lrgrnr]

I personally like the look of the Rustolium Bedliner on my bumpers and sliders. Problem is that wax (does that even touch my truck? ) and dirt and mud are harder to clean out. I have found that Rustolium Bedliner followed by a coat of semi gloss black still gets the bedliner look but is much easier to clean.

Basically this

[PSU Taco85]

Cool thanks for the input

I'm going to price out a few local powdercoaters in my area to see what they'd want to do two bumpers. Depending on that price I'll go from there!

I'm going to use that rubberized undercoating on a few more projects I have on mind as well. The only thing ive found with that stuff is you can't apply it to thick or it never dries

[05tacoSPORT]

I personally like the look of the Rustolium Bedliner on my bumpers and sliders. Problem is that wax (does that even touch my truck? ) and dirt and mud are harder to clean out. I have found that Rustolium Bedliner followed by a coat of semi gloss black still gets the bedliner look but is much easier to clean.

This Is what I use. I personally wouldn't powder coat if you are planning on using the armor for what it's made for. For me I apply, beat the shit out of the steel, let rust for a few weeks, sand,and paint for the next trip.

[05tacoSPORT]

And dragging a 1k bumper with $150 worth of paint on rock hurts.

[PSU Taco85]

This Is what I use. I personally wouldn't powder coat if you are planning on using the armor for what it's made for. For me I apply, beat the shit out of the steel, let rust for a few weeks, sand,and paint for the next trip.

And dragging a 1k bumper with $150 worth of paint on rock hurts.

Yeah that's what I've been thinking but we don't have too many rocks around my area, mostly pine trees, sand, and puddles

My thought was that maybe just sand and repaint the areas of the powdercoat that would get bashed off by obstacles with rattle can. I'm sure the high spots of the bumper wouldn't get bashed too bad would hold up a lot longer with a nice powdercoat finish

[taco4x4rar]

I'd stay away from the bed liners they are expensive and hard to fix. I went the cheap route with rattle cans cause they need to be repainted almost every time I go wheeling

[AlienXtx]

I just use whatever frr cans of paint we have in the parts room at work?

[Boomtacoma01]

Good ideas here. I like the idea of the paint over the bedliner. I'll be repainting my rear bumper on the tacoma in the near. I'll probably just sand, prime and paint though since I have an older beater now.

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi using Forums

[Pd3]

Krylon Satin black!

[JLink]

I'm not impressed with rattle can on my skids and front bumper. Skids its ok because they will get beat to shit so spray paint is the best option, but for my bumper I'd like something else. My sliders are powder coated and I'm impressed how well they are doing. My front bumper definitely doesn't take as many hits as the sliders will, so I'm thinking powder coat or maybe rhino lining for that and the same when I get a rear bumper.