Tidy up bullbars

[timmay556]

I've just bought some steel bullbars, they have light rust, what Should I do to tidy them up, grind? pollish? sand? Then prime/paint?

Cheers

[coxsy]

no to the grind idea sand it down ,paint it with a good steel primer then a spray can of paint , then touchups are a breeze

[chrome]

sandblast then paint if you can get it done cheap enough. or like coxsy said elbow grease

[timmay556]

I will be taking the elbow grease route. What sand paper should I grab (what grit?)

cheers

[chrome]

start with some 600? and see if that gets it all off nothing too rough wire brush first if you want

[skid]

wots wrong with one of them flapper disc sanding disc thingies

[coxsy]

but skid i love using them, don't tell everyone else about them

[chrome]

they pricey but so good for everything

[rokhound]

600?????? Only if you want to be there for a week!
Start with 180 and keep progressing down to the finer grades.
180 (or coarser) will cut it back quicker and then you can get it smooth as from there. For a steel bar with a spray can enamel finish, 400 grit will be fine to finish off with.
Remember these are bars, and they are at the front of all punishment, so there is a good chance they will be getting refinished often

[4wdnuts]

i had the same bullbars on my hilux. i just used the black spray paint for the warehouse. one can was heaps and it would last a few months. at about $5 a can you cant go wrong yes i know i sound like a tight arse but they always get scratched etc

[Swaney]

Funny I am doing the extact same thing at the moment. I have taken all rust and paint off with one of those 3M scrubber pad things.. was a breeze.. didnt get in to the tight edges tho and hand to resort to hand sanding for those.. was tempted to take it and get it acid dipped but figured using a drill and scrubber pad was lazy enough anyway.

next will be a quick prime and paint before bolting on

[timmay556]

Right-o they came looking like this^

And after 2 weeks in Taupo I finally have some decent weather. So I took to them with a cheap repco wire brush (which broke ) and some elbow dust!




After a brush/sand and wash they still look a touch rough



First half coat of Primer.

[haydgq]

I would of used a Rust convertor on that bar before applying Primer and a top coat as that rust looks though it will keep on coming through eventually, Tergo Black Guard from Mitre 10/Bunnings is awesome stuff and it converts the rust to a hard black finish that you then primer and top coat.

[timmay556]

now you tell me

What paint should I look for that will give me a hard finish, at least that might hold on?

[haydgq]

now you tell me

What paint should I look for that will give me a hard finish, at least that might hold on?

Im not sure on the hardest paints but i think a few guys have used the heavy Chassis Black on bullbars etc with good results, I know once my bar work is all done ill prob just use a good chassis type paint.

But that Tergo rust convertor is awesome how it converts the rust to a really HARD finish, Much harder than any paint if seen aye.!!

[gimmemud]

Hamerite (sp?) is good stuff to paint it with. solid as. The stuff they use on army trucks

[timmay556]

Cheers guys, I'm going to try and track that stuff down.

[gomulletgo]

I can't seem to find Tergo Blackguard rust convertor at Bunnings or Mitre 10 anymore - does anyone know where to get it in CHCH?

[catalystracing]

Chassis Black from Super Cheap, you can brush or spray. Think Repco have a similar product.