N-Fabs rusting.....

[Blackbeauty]

Anybody with the N-Fab step bars, check out these photos and let me know what you think. I know 54Warrior had an issue with his first set with rust and the powdercoating peeling off. Mine are just starting to show signs of this. I bought them on 2/22/07, so they're on the truck about 1 year and a couple months. Is this excessive rust for that time? Just something I should try to touch up myself? FYI, the entire inside of the tubes, since they're not stainless steel, have extensive surface rust and you can see it through the holes in the step pads. What do you guys think?

[bbomar]

Are you sure those are powder coated??

Have you been in contact with N-Fab??

[Blackbeauty]

Haven't contacted them yet... And yes, they're supposed to be powdercoated... There are areas where it didn't cover and others where it is very thin. I will try to contact N-Fab tomorrow, but I just wanted to see how everyone else's N-Fabs are holding up....

[Carbeaux]

It's that PA road salting. Yucky stuff.

But you're right in that the coverage on them was poor.

[54warrior]

I know that I probably wouldn't purchase their products again.

I'll commend them for their excellent customer service because they did take care of me without any hassles as far as warranty replacement, but my second set are already showing signs similar to yours BB, in the same locations.

It's unfortunate, because they make some awesome looking steps. As Carbeaux stated, I'm sure the members in southern/warmer, non salted road states aren't having these issues.

[DeadRiver]

I was surprised to see the amount of corrosion under my truck to begin with.. True we are in the NE, but certainly car manufactures are aware of all conditions.

Bummer about the steps.. I wonder how they'd look on my truck? better send them down here.. I think it's a powder coating issue though, it doesn't even look like that "seem" was coated. I wonder if these would do better with rhino lining on them?

[Blackbeauty]

Sadly, as the steel is just plain old A-36, even with the lining on them, they'll rust out from the inside..... Potentially, however, they may last twice as long before rotting to dust that way.....

[DeadRiver]

I'm a bit surprised by the lack of a cover over the tube... Like you said, rust from the inside out..

[Blackbeauty]

I'm wondering if I can't get some POR-15, pour it through the tubes to coat the inside, and have the exterior blasted and recoated? Or Line-Xed?

[54warrior]

I remember reading awhile back that the insides were supposed to have been chemically treated with some rust preventative ****, but I can't find that info on their website. They probably quit doing that.

[Blackbeauty]

Eh, I've seen galvanized steel rust. Rust inhibitive coatings are virtually worthless in the longterm. Plus, it's all in the quality control of the inhibitor's application. If the item isn't prepped well, or the coating is thin or patchy, it may as well not even be there...

[Shane06fl]

Wow those steps look bad. Looks like teh road salts have beaten the he$$ out of them. I would think that the powder coating would last longer. I guess that is a chance you take when not useing stainless or aluminum. My wifes CC has some off brand step rails that are stainless and have a lifetime warranty through the MFG and dealer, but they are shiney and if you don't want shiney they aren't for you.

[DeadRiver]

I guess all manufacture's should send us products to test in these harsh conditions..... don't you agree?

[t22a80]

What did they say when you contacted them???

[Carbeaux]

I like the Line X option, BB.