Tow Bar Rust
- Thread starter Dustydog
- Start date
HI! Dustydog yep i do the same rubdown,paint still rusts .i think it may rust more than usual .A. exhaust fumes getting drawn back onto the bar . B. salt getting thrown up from rear wheels onto the bar. bit is if you leave off painting it ,it looks crap and spoils the look of your vehicle so just have to paint it yet again . or try another make of paint . might try Cuprinol you know the one it does axactly as it says on the tin .i think they make paint for metal
cheers Duggie
cheers Duggie
dusty, try plasticoat, get it in bq. used it for years on bike wheels and it stands up great. you can buy it in small jars for about
The tow bar / step on my truck is made from stainless steel, i will still have this when the truck has rusted away...
Tow bar
Tow bar
Try rust killer, used it for years and it's great,
Just paint it onto the rust and it goes black, give it another coat later then paint over if you want to.
Tom
Just paint it onto the rust and it goes black, give it another coat later then paint over if you want to.
Tom
- Mar 10, 2006
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I have managed to sort this problem over the last 10 years. None of the bars are painted effectively, witter aren't too bad, but if you look closely there's the odd spot of rust from new.
All i do is negotiate a price to fit, then take the bar away and give it two good coats of black smooth hamerite, let it harden for three or four days then take it back to have it fitted.
My last xtrail at 6 years old still looks new.
Finally i transfer my home made bumper protector made from stainless steel, 4mm thick made from top quality stainless, the the stainless ones you can buy that rust!
Again for the 13 pin, i have modified a stainless 12n back plate made from the same stainless, the supplied socket fixings are thrown away, and replaced with brass set screws and nuts, the back plate has a slot cut in so the socket can be removed with out disconnecting the wiring, finally everything is painted satin black to blend in.
All i do is negotiate a price to fit, then take the bar away and give it two good coats of black smooth hamerite, let it harden for three or four days then take it back to have it fitted.
My last xtrail at 6 years old still looks new.
Finally i transfer my home made bumper protector made from stainless steel, 4mm thick made from top quality stainless, the the stainless ones you can buy that rust!
Again for the 13 pin, i have modified a stainless 12n back plate made from the same stainless, the supplied socket fixings are thrown away, and replaced with brass set screws and nuts, the back plate has a slot cut in so the socket can be removed with out disconnecting the wiring, finally everything is painted satin black to blend in.
- Jun 20, 2005
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Thanks for all the suggestions.
The ball itself is always kept clean, paint free of course.
Ray I've been using the spray version of Hammerite Smooth. I'll try the double coats as you say , by brush.
Mac H If the Hammerite fails again I'll try your stuff.
Cheers
Dustydog
The ball itself is always kept clean, paint free of course.
Ray I've been using the spray version of Hammerite Smooth. I'll try the double coats as you say , by brush.
Mac H If the Hammerite fails again I'll try your stuff.
Cheers
Dustydog
- Mar 10, 2006
- 3,274
- 47
- 20,685
dusty
With the two xtrails, very little from the road gets to the bar, but were the bar is exposed to stones ect, on top of the hammerite you need to coat with a good quality under seal, otherwise the hammerite will chip.
In the past i had the same rusty bar problem, that was when i painted the bar after fitting, as you know its not possible to get to all areas, so the bar rusts, its a shame you don't get a galvanised option.
With the two xtrails, very little from the road gets to the bar, but were the bar is exposed to stones ect, on top of the hammerite you need to coat with a good quality under seal, otherwise the hammerite will chip.
In the past i had the same rusty bar problem, that was when i painted the bar after fitting, as you know its not possible to get to all areas, so the bar rusts, its a shame you don't get a galvanised option.
HI! McH yep you R Right thank god your here to keep me right
cheers Duggie
P.S. weathers getting warmer can you here the bike calling,
get on your bike and ride, might give it an spin on Saturday
of for aweeks holls on the 20th cant wait got a new van so first time out in it cheers Duggie
most tow bar brackets are laser cut, welded up and often the rust is already present on the surfaces. The scale is not removed from he cut edges and when the whole thing is painted it generally receives a wash , a dry then a straight spray paint. The better OEM towbars may even be powder coated and pre phosphated.
Best thing is rub it down , phosphate it( kurust or the like) undrcoat with a good zinc primer then paint on top.
And the next time you buy a laser cut bumper protector for
Best thing is rub it down , phosphate it( kurust or the like) undrcoat with a good zinc primer then paint on top.
And the next time you buy a laser cut bumper protector for
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