Hey guys. I just fabbed up a steel front bumper guard and i kind of like the natural silver steel color. I know if I do not paint the guard it will rust. My question is- What do I put on it so that it will protect it from the weather but still show the natural silver of the steel?

Thanks-Blake

 

Um....paint?

 

clear coat it

 

Yeah clear coat is your best bet Rustoleum makes a clear enamel (paint) but it will give a high gloss finish

 

Don't clear it. Just toss some salt water on there and it will paint itself a lovely shade of Iron Oxide. natural metal color.

 

Ha the rust is what I'm trying to PREVENT.

 

You could spray it down with oil several times a day but clear coat would be best lol

 

Looks like I'm clearcoating it.
Heres a pic if anyones interested...





and heres what it's going on...I also ordered 4 hella 500's (2 fog and 2 driving) with HID bulbs to mount on the grill sometime later this week.

 

i wanna see that thing on the 4runner, i like the idea.

 

I am pretty sure they can powder coat it with a clear coat that has a bit of gloss.

Example:

 

just don't get it wet. then it won't rust.

 

Thanks...I'll have some more pics up as i progress.

 

Ha if only it were that easy. Garage is all full with junk :/

 

Might look into galvanizing that part.

Otherwise Por-15 has some clear coat products:
- http://www.por15.com/Clearcoats/products/6/

And that steel will rust even if not wet. My rear bumper/tire carrier is rusting well on it's own. I like to let the rust get to it for a while to rough up the surface before painting it.

 

That's probably because of the Humidity in SF Bay area. Bring that raw steel to CO were the humidity is 8% on average and it won't rust unless wet.

Roger, you're always reminding me that I need to order things from your site... I'll be placing another order in the new few days...

 

Ok completely changing my plans. I couldn't get ever last spec of paint off of it and i don't have the money to go get it sandblasted so I'm just going to scuff up the surfaces prime it and paint it satin black. I'll have pics up tonight.

 

I want to see what it looks like on the truck

 

Okay Okay here are a couple of pics.

 

Wait, For all that work why not just made a whole custom bumper..?

 

Well cost came into play. I made this from stuff that was sitting in the garage one day when i was bored. Since it was my first time i thought I would start out with something simple.