Tow bar rust...

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Mar 18, 2003 | 09:44 PM

deanjet

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Hollywood, FL

Tow bar rust...

I know it may seam like I like my truck a little too much, but is is common for the under bumper tow bar to rust? My 2000 Expy factory tow bar started to rust when the truck was only one year old (Build date Aug 2000). I just dropped the bar off the truck tonight so I can repaint it tomarrow. The back side of the tow bar is completely rusted. Now that I have the bar off, I see that only the back side is rusted. Its almost like Ford forgot to prime the rear of the bar!

Mar 19, 2003 | 06:54 AM

redvet

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From: NE JERSEY

Tow bar rust...

Paint it with a product called Por-15.
It'll never rust again.
I'll be doing mine this spring or summer.
I have a vintage Corvette and most in the Corvette hobby use this stuff.

http://www.por15.com/preventrustpaint.html

They sell a starter kit for $14.95.
But it only comes with 4 ounces of gloss black which is enough for the tow bar but I'm leaning toward the semi gloss black.
$14.95 for 2 brushes,gloves and pre paint surface cleaner and paint is a good deal though.

Last edited by redvet; Mar 19, 2003 at 07:06 AM.

Mar 19, 2003 | 07:42 AM

deanjet

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Hollywood, FL

Tow bar rust...

Thanks for the advice. Since I live in WET south Florida, I can think of a million uses for POR-15!

Mar 19, 2003 | 10:16 AM

PaulC

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Tow bar rust...

Bear in mind that POR-15 is UV-sensitive. A topcoat must be used to cover POR-15 on surfaces that will be exposed to the sun.

Mar 19, 2003 | 12:43 PM

buzzard

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Joined: Oct 2000

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From: All over Texas

Tow bar rust...

I assume that you are actually talking about your trailer hitch at the rear of your truck and not a tow bar attached to the front bumper? Regardless, I've used POR 15 and it is a decent product, but certainly not needed in this instance as it sounds like you merely have a little surface rust. Just sand the affected area(s), coat with some spray primer and then topcoat with a couple coats of semi-gloss or satin black spray paint. Whole job shouldn't take more than an hour and cost $5.00.

Mar 19, 2003 | 07:27 PM

redvet

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From: NE JERSEY

Tow bar rust...

Good point on the Topcoat issue,Paul.
Por15 in the classic car world is mostly used on frames and firewalls and such.

Mar 19, 2003 | 08:18 PM

deanjet

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Hollywood, FL

Tow bar rust...

It was just light surface rust, it came off very easy, along with all the paint. I did find out that there is absolutely no primer used anywhere on the tow bar, just cheap black paint. When I am done, it will be better than new!