I've been having a serious rust issue with my truck. The tow hitch was black when we got the truck and now is spotted with rust patches that seem to have just sprouted out of no where. The wheels are no exception. They are aluminum but rust is still catching hold of some of the bolts and stuff and is very noticeable. I've read the how-to on painting over the differential cover and will begin tackling that this summer. But what should I do about the other rust spots? Should I disconnect the hitch and scrape it down/ re-paint it? Or would that cause other problems. I was thinking of doing the same thing to the hitch as the differential cover. Then laying on the undercoating to stop rust from coming back.

The step-bars on both sides of the cab are also rusting. You can see big ol brown spots where you place your feet. This would not be as easy to scrape down as there are grooves that I would like to keep for grip. Is there anyway to get down in between the grooves to remove the rust and seal it over?

I know all vehicles rust but it is becoming an eye-soar to me to look at it each day. I'll attempt to get pictures up if it ever stop snowing and I can get it all brushed off to show you what I mean.

 

go to wal-mart and pick up a product in the automotive section that turns rust into black primer. works pretty nice and you can paint over it and its supposed to stop rust from forming there again. its not a cover-up either...it gets rid of the rust and turns it into black primer. (i think i said that twice)

 

move to arizona


undercoating and what ^^^ he said is good too....

 

on my hitch, i sanded off the rusty spots, taped over the rating sticker, primed where i sanded, and used duplicolor truck bed coating on the hitch, and the tow hooks. its not thick and chunky like rhino liner, but its textured and durable, and can be touched up easily

 

Thanks guys! I was wondering about that stuff at wally world. There are four different types and was wondering if it's making it bumpy and swirly or anything. I'll have to grab out the grinder for some of the other stuff though I'm guessing. Thanks for the input though!