Rust issues on my black Aries brush guard - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

mikelikesbama · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 11:24 AM

I recently installed a black Aries brush guard on my black 08 tundra Crewmax. About a week after installing I noticed that every nut and bolt that held it together and on my truck were rusting. My plan as of right now is to sand down what I can and paint over them with some rustoleam and a very small paint brush (trying to avoid taking all of them off and painting them). BTW I ordered it off of autoanything.com but I think it ships directly from the manufacturer. I love the brush guard other than the rust issue, do you guys have any reccomendations?

mikelikesbama · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 10:20 PM

Hey 16 people have read it and no replies?

mikelikesbama · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2009, 05:26 PM

Alright well since you guys didn't offer any other advice I just applied a coat of rustoleam to the bolt heads and washers. Tomorrow I will do the ends of the bolts and the nuts. I'll keep you guys posted..........if anyone is actually interested. By the way I haven't recieved a reply from Aries, they have really built themselves a negative reputation.

masterofstuff · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 02:03 AM

Well, it seems like you have it under control. I don't know what you want people to say?

Sand off the rust, wd-40 it and rustoleum. That's what I did on my guard. Although, I hit a reflector pole at 55mph and put a few dents plus scratches on it...damn Jim Beam!!!

08SalsaMax · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 10:15 AM

As you noted, I too have read about Aries' less than stellar reputation. With a painted brushguard, you had better get used to touching it up. I had a painted Toyota brushguard on my 4Runner and if it wasn't the rock chips and resulting rust spots, it was the surface rust that I had to keep touching up in order for it to look good. It's unfortunate that Aries and/or Anything.com didn't respond.

123Gone · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 12:23 PM

Rustoleum is not really the answer. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy stainless steel bolts/nuts and use those instead of the ones Aries sent to you.

The stainless steel stuff is usually in the drawers in the specialty section.

mikelikesbama · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 04:28 PM

Alright, thanks for the tips guys. I'm gonna leave the recently painted nuts and bolts on for now. I do plan on replacing them when the rust appears again because I know it will.

123Gone · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 05:57 PM

Keep in mind that even though you painted the surface, the rust is still deteriorating the hardware underneath the paint. My concern is that if the rust weakens the hardware enough, your brush guard could literally fall off.

mikelikesbama · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 11:12 AM

Well that wouldn't be to awesome, I guess what I'll eventually do is find the instructions to see what size nuts and bolts I need and go to Lowe's and buy em' then paint em with some black rustoleam. I saw a big F-250 this morning with a chrome brush guard with rusty a$$ nuts and bolts. And the rust was running down the sides of his brush guard, looked terrible. Must've fell victim to Aries.

masterofstuff · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Gone

Rustoleum is not really the answer. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy stainless steel bolts/nuts and use those instead of the ones Aries sent to you.

The stainless steel stuff is usually in the drawers in the specialty section.

I used stainless steel hardware before and guess what...It rusts. I tend to stay away from stainless bolts on any load bearing structure that may, in my case...will, experience torsional stresses. They tend to snap because it's not harden steel. Now if you are talking about a simple zinc coating on the hardware that's fine, but it will eventually rust too. Anytime the coating is damaged it opens up the steel to oxidize faster, even with a powdercoat.

I used the black painted hardware that came with my guard and it does get beat up on the underside offroad, so I just slathered it with some rhino lining goo and it seems to work pretty good. And as far as a stainless guard, NEVER! They are just too much maintainance and look like crap if you do intend to use it.

mikelikesbama · #11 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 09:11 AM

can you just buy rhino lining "goo" somewhere?

123Gone · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterofstuff

I used stainless steel hardware before and guess what...It rusts. I tend to stay away from stainless bolts on any load bearing structure that may, in my case...will, experience torsional stresses. They tend to snap because it's not harden steel. Now if you are talking about a simple zinc coating on the hardware that's fine, but it will eventually rust too. Anytime the coating is damaged it opens up the steel to oxidize faster, even with a powdercoat.

I used the black painted hardware that came with my guard and it does get beat up on the underside offroad, so I just slathered it with some rhino lining goo and it seems to work pretty good. And as far as a stainless guard, NEVER! They are just too much maintainance and look like crap if you do intend to use it.

Boy, I have to disagree with ya. There are different qualities of stainless steel based on the amount of chromium (which keeps it from rusting) and carbon (which makes it strong). It sounds like you bought some low end stainless hardware. There are lots of truck accessories made of stainless steel and I've never seen them rust (or break).

You can't by Rhino Lining "goo" at any retail store. It's only available at Rhino dealers. Also, if your Rhino Lining is gooey, you have a big problem.

mikelikesbama · #13 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 11:14 AM

Well taking off all the nuts and bolts is gonna be a pain in the *** because some of the mounting bracket are behind the bumper in front of the radiator, I wish I would've know what crappy fasteners they were gonna send me so I could've gotten some better ones to install it with initially. Word to the wise. Tell your friends.

masterofstuff · #14 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Gone

Boy, I have to disagree with ya. There are different qualities of stainless steel based on the amount of chromium (which keeps it from rusting) and carbon (which makes it strong). It sounds like you bought some low end stainless hardware. There are lots of truck accessories made of stainless steel and I've never seen them rust (or break).

You can't by Rhino Lining "goo" at any retail store. It's only available at Rhino dealers. Also, if your Rhino Lining is gooey, you have a big problem.

That's true that the chromium forms a protective and renewing layer, but it is not impenetrable. I work in the food industry and have seen stainless steel oxidize away. It doesn't create the red flaky stuff on carbon steel, but black pits that can rapidly expand. I have broken stainless bolts quite easily because it is a softer metal.

Please read:www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s481216.htm

Oh, the goo I got is from my friend that works at my local rhino lining shop. Good deal and he gave me a can of the stuff I can use for touchups and stuff. I guess you could get that herculiner stuff, but it's not as good.