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Brush Guard Redux

theindian

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
kc area
Been catching up on some of the rust issues lately, just touching up things that are starting to look worn. My brush guard has been on the h3 for 4 yrs never been taken off and the top bar was really rusting out pretty badly and upon further inspection the bottom bar had many rust pit holes. Did some research on a new guard, found some cheaper ones on Ebay for about $240 or so with out the top bar. I really was looking hard at the Predator Search and Rescue guard but it is up there in cost. Weighing all options I took my guard down to a local muffler shop and the old boy there fixed it up for $50. He bent up and welded the top bar and the lower bar. The top bar he replaced with the same size tube than the rest of the guard. I think it looks aliittle more rugged than with the smaller tube. The bends are slightly off but not to bad. What do you think? Took it down to the powder coaters that are doing my stock rims and was qouted $150, but cant do them for 2 weeks because of a large order they have. So I think Ill paint them myself to see how it comes out. The first pic is of the original and the rest are of the new bars. Ill post back when I finish the paint job. At least the greenies will like the fact that they are recycled!


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SedonaBound

Guest
He did a great job freestyling for a bargain price. Looks like the guy did a nice clean weld too. Clean it thoroughly and use a good primer and DIY job will be fine provided you get a good color match. If you can, get the paint from an auto finish supply. In a week, you won't remember its different from the OEM tube.
 
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theindian

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
kc area
Thanks Ive already ruffed it up pretty good so its primer time! One thing i noticed, it has wipe hope with rubber plugs that are suppost to move in and out a couple mm for condensation. so when I to took the plugs out and set on end rusty water just poured out. Thinking after painted might use some expandible foam insulation to fill up the tubes and replug the holes. maybe this will seal up the tube and keep from condensation. Good idea or bad?
 
S

SedonaBound

Guest
Thanks Ive already ruffed it up pretty good so its primer time! One thing i noticed, it has wipe hope with rubber plugs that are suppost to move in and out a couple mm for condensation. so when I to took the plugs out and set on end rusty water just poured out. Thinking after painted might use some expandible foam insulation to fill up the tubes and replug the holes. maybe this will seal up the tube and keep from condensation. Good idea or bad?
I'd enlarge the hole enough to get some Rustoleum primer or anti-corrosion treatment in, slosh it around, and drain. Then leave the plugs out or if they're not on a low spot, drill some drain holes. That interior corrosion will keep eating unless you get something in there to neutralize it and leaving some air passage so it can dry out.
 

theindian

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
kc area
The orig tubes are made of carbon steel and are not to thick. the new tube are much thicker.Ill try do get something in there to help out. thanks Sedonabound for the ideas. If I can get acouple more yrs out of it that a be great or until I just have to change!
 

erdlen65

Well-Known Member
Messages
243
Location
Pittsburgh
Looks good man, when I had mine made I tried just painting it and found myself repainting about every other week from stone chips. I finally sprayed it with bed liner and not only do I think it looks better but seems to be holding up really well. And it's a lot cheaper than powder coating
 

theindian

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
kc area
I am leaning towards the bedliner, Ive used it on the rack floor grate and it has held up great in 3yrs. and its very forgiving when applied.
 
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