Do Steel Truck Bumpers Rust?

/ Trucks / By

We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thanks for the support! 👍

Steel truck bumpers can rust. Some of the primary reasons that make your steel bumper prone to rust are that steel is manufactured from iron, and rust often occurs when the iron is oxidized. Thus any contact with high levels of moisture and oxygen will lead to rusting on the steel bumpers.

Also, washing your bumper using water that has high iron content will make your bumper rust. If you don’t adequately care and maintain for your steel bumper, it will deteriorate. The high salt content in water can also corrode your bumper. Remember that stainless steel is not relatively impervious to factors that can cause rust.

How to Prevent Rust on your Steel Truck Bumpers?

Paint the Bumper

Rust on the bumper can become a significant problem for your car. The rust jeopardizes the stability and functionality of your bumper. The first step in preventing rust is painting your bumper. Good paint will minimize rusting by preventing high levels of moisture from reaching the metal.

Powder Coating the Bumper

Another standard method of protecting the integrity of your bumpers is to incorporate a powder coating. The powder coating will add a barrier and prevent any moisture contact with the steel. Standard powders you can incorporate include epoxy, urethane, and nylon, which adequately adhere to the metal of your bumper and form a protective thin film.

Powder coating acts as a protective coating that prevents the steel surface from an electrochemical charge from various corrosive elements. However, to prevent rust formation on the bumpers, you need to reapply the coatings constantly.

Clean the Bumper

Another straightforward and cost-effective method of preventing rust formation from your bumper is regularly cleaning the bumper. The bumper is prone to collect iron, salt, or other corrosive elements. These compounds can react with the metal and lead to rust.

Ensure you clean your bumper with hot water and oil-free detergents and wipe it down with an adequate sponge. After the cleaning process, rinse your bumper using clean water and wipe it using a towel. Cleaning is a preventive measure and helps protect the structural integrity of your steel truck bumper.

Galvanizing

Galvanizing is another method of rust prevention and involves coating steel with a layer of zinc. The thin layer of coating will prevent moisture and oxygen from reaching your steel bumpers. Zinc works by forming a layer, zinc oxide, and when it reacts with oxygen, it forms zinc carbonate. The zinc carbonate appears as a dull gray unique patina on the metal, which is impervious to water and prevents any chemical changes.

Ideally, the zinc will work as a sacrificial layer and offers robust protection to your steel bumpers. The method can protect your steel bumpers for an average of 50 years and is better than painting or powder coating. However, after zinc is subjected to harsh elements, it will erode, and your steel will be exposed to moisture.

Remove the Rust

Proper maintenance of your steel truck bumpers makes all the difference when it comes to protecting them from rust. The first maintenance hack each car owner should adopt is regularly cleaning their car and ensuring the bumper is dry.

However, if your steel bumper has already formed the unsightly brown coating, you should remove it immediately. Remember that rust can corrode the metal of your bumper, leading to loss of function and other severe problems in your bumper.

Removing rust from your bumper involves using a modified scrub brush and spray it with effective rust removal product. Start by spraying all the rusted areas and then gently use the scrub brush to remove the rust. This method is procedural and may require successful attempts for it to be successful.

Invest in High-Quality Steel

Even though steel truck bumpers are prone to rusting, it is still intrinsic to invest in high-quality steel bumpers. Ensure when purchasing the bumper, you consider the following essential features:

  • The bumper is made from 100% steel
  • It has a lifetime warranty
  • High-end welding
  • It contains a CNC steel plate

Conclusion

The steel truck bumpers are not immune to rust, and thus you should incorporate various preventive measures. To ensure that you protect your bumper from corrosion, ensure it is always clean and dry. Other preventive measures include; painting, powder coating, and galvanizing.

Must Read