This last winter really made it rust pretty bad. Anyone know what kind of products I should use to re paint it and to prevent the rust from coming back? The rest of the truck is very shiny and this hitch just makes it look awful.

 

get it powercoated

 

Por15

 

every spring i scrape mine of the loose paint and rust, spray it with "extend" ita a rust-converting primer and then once its cured (usually overnight) i'll spray it with rustoleum black. sometimes i'll clearcoat it too. i do the same thing as touch-up on my tube steps and grill guard. chrome is pretty but doenst stay that way her in the rust-belt.

 

I would use a wire wheel on a drill to remove what I could, you could take the whole thing down to bear metal with some effort. I would then give it 2 coats of Rustoleum "Rusty Metal" primer, after rubbing the whole down with acetone. Finally, I would finish it with a couple of coats of the Duplicolor spray on bedliner product. Of course you'll want to remove it from the truck first!

 

^ I agree. I took mine off and used a wire brush on a drill and just went to town. Then I hung it up and sprayed 3 coats of Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer. Post that I did a good solid coat of rustoleum black paint.

Only time paint has come off in the last two years is when I hook up the boat/trailer. Then before winter I just spray where the trailer tow hooks go on and it's all set.

 

Ok thanks for the input guys. Im gonna try to attemt this tomorrow. I just detailed the truck today and it looks really good. This hitch is just horrable. Gonna have to get this done. I looked at the rest of the hitch today and it looks just fine. No rust or anything. Kinda figures what can be seen has to look like $hit.

 

Por15

 

That's what I'm wanting to paint my FX4's frame & suspension with. It spent 3 years in Ohio on lease before I "rescued" it from the snow belt

Do you have any pics of where you used it? Before & after shots maybe?