Crossover steering arm... paint it??

[cheavyk10]

I recently got my crossover kit from ORD, and can't wait to bolt it up. I just have to get a steering box. My question is do you guys paint the steering arm or leave it natural? It certainly looks blinged out, but I would hate to have it flash rust. Does billet steel rust? I am already planning on painting the drag link.
What says the group?

 

[Lolz_cats]

You could just clear coat it.

 

[cheavyk10]

You could just clear coat it.

Then it would be the shiniest thing on my truck!! Haha

 

[Fastereddie]

This is what mine looks like if left bare after a couple years. I’m in the dry desert though

 

[ryoken]

I would at least douche it in some satin clear once assembled...

 

[fastazz81]

Painted mine

 

[Fastereddie]

Or best of both worlds. Leave it bare and enjoy the bling until it starts to look crappy. Then paint it black like the rest of the axle. Or you could hit it with scotchbrite and clean it up again.

 

[nvrenuf]

Mine are painted since I live in a rainy humid region.

 

[Fastereddie]

I would at least douche it in some satin clear once assembled...

You probably have good clear. The crap I used last time turned yellow.

 

[ryoken]

You probably have good clear. The crap I used last time turned yellow.

nah, just a rattle can matte clear... basically I keep a can around for bolts/nuts once things are assembled... I generally don't paint actual parts with it... it's more for assembly..


my local bud has an early 80's dually 2wd.. powdercoated all his suspension, new mill, etc... everything looks beautiful, other than the hardware he used to bolt the parts together... Mutt's arms are Ryo Red to match the tierod....

obviously different climates need different approaches...

 

[joshuak]

This is what mine looks like if left bare after a couple years. I’m in the dry desert though
View attachment 401720

That's cool, around here a part gets that much flash rust in transit before it even gets delivered.

IMO medium gloss black is a good color for under the frame down.

 

[skunked]

Don’t you drive this truck on the beach? Paint it, save yourself the time dealing with it later.

 

[cheavyk10]

So... steering arm is going to get a nice dose of semi-gloss black engine paint...thanks for the advice gents!!

On a side note, when I build my dream 80's square show truck on 44" boggers, a purdy part like this will get some clear, to go with the chrome shocks, diff covers and triple double roll bar.... hehe

 

[ryoken]

just make sure if you do it off the truck, you mask up the tapers, etc...

 

[Lolz_cats]

If

just make sure if you do it off the truck, you mask up the tapers, etc...

If there was a nervous elbow scratch emoji

 

[kennyw]

My crossover arms are flash rusting in my shop because I cleaned the oil off without out painting them right away. Now I need to clean the rust off before I can paint them properly. I wrapped them in an oily rag to slow the rust and it is helping.