Rusting Rails

[drjjj]

We have a 2007 3400 that we pull with a 99 F250SD. The bed rails and hitch were installed by a subcontractor of our selling dealer in the summer of 2006. I have recently noticed that the rails in the truck bed (I leave the hitch on the kingpin when we store the trailer) have started to rust. I guess I need to wire brush them and paint them. With all the great knowledge on this forum I figured someone would have some paint expertise and could advise me what kind of paint to use. Once I wire brush the rust off do I need to prime and paint or are there paints out there now that work as a primer and paint in one? Thanks for any advice.

[ole dude]

If you could find a shop that does powder coat and have the rails powder coated, that tends to outlast regular paint. Other wise I like to clean rust off, treat with a rust preventative and then paint with equipment paint using a brush. JMO.

[drjjj]

I love powder coating-have it on my brush guard and my rear bumper. I am assuming that the rails would have to be removed to be powder coated? If so, I am guessing that the labor for removal and reinstallation would probably be more than the actual powder coating?

[ole dude]

Yepper, the rails would have to come off. Don't really know about the cost.