Factory bed rail coating - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RShook · 03-17-2014, 02:04 AM

I was wondering if any of you guys know what type of coating the factory uses on the aluminum parts of these rails and how it can be removed? I've tried aircraft stripper on and old rail that is no good and it didn't touch it.
I'm trying to clean some up for my truck but not having much luck polishing the aluminum pieces.

Thanks

**hatzie** · 03-17-2014, 10:25 AM

Maybe they used powdercoat? It was available for industrial applications well before the application equipment got cheap enough for the average Joe to afford it.

Sand blasting will remove powder coat but it will alter the surface finish and could remove a lot of material if you aren't careful.

B17 Liquid Stripper will strip powder but it's really really really nasty harsh stuff... It probably has Methlyene Chloride in it like the old formulation of Berrymans' B9 Carb Dip (the one that actually works).

You DO NOT EVER want to breathe chlorinated solvents. They have a tendency to melt your lungs. Wear the right breathing equipment and DO NOT get it on your skin.

ray_mcavoy · 03-17-2014, 02:27 PM

I think the rails are anodized aluminum. If they are, I've had good luck using Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner to remove old anodized finishes so the aluminum can be polished.

RShook · 04-02-2014, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

I think the rails are anodized aluminum. If they are, I've had good luck using Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner to remove old anodized finishes so the aluminum can be polished.

Thanks Ray!!
That did the trick

It's takes a few times to get it all off but they are polishing up nicely now.

ray_mcavoy · 04-02-2014, 06:45 PM

Glad to hear it did the trick! Yeah, that anodizing can be pretty stubborn and take a few applications of the oven cleaner to completely remove it all.

03-17-2014, 02:04 AM	#1
RShook Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Taylorsville, NC Posts: 35	Factory bed rail coating I was wondering if any of you guys know what type of coating the factory uses on the aluminum parts of these rails and how it can be removed? I've tried aircraft stripper on and old rail that is no good and it didn't touch it. I'm trying to clean some up for my truck but not having much luck polishing the aluminum pieces. Thanks

03-17-2014, 10:25 AM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Factory bed rail coating Maybe they used powdercoat? It was available for industrial applications well before the application equipment got cheap enough for the average Joe to afford it. Sand blasting will remove powder coat but it will alter the surface finish and could remove a lot of material if you aren't careful. B17 Liquid Stripper will strip powder but it's really really really nasty harsh stuff... It probably has Methlyene Chloride in it like the old formulation of Berrymans' B9 Carb Dip (the one that actually works). You DO NOT EVER want to breathe chlorinated solvents. They have a tendency to melt your lungs. Wear the right breathing equipment and DO NOT get it on your skin. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

03-17-2014, 02:27 PM	#3
ray_mcavoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman, ME Posts: 2,366	Re: Factory bed rail coating I think the rails are anodized aluminum. If they are, I've had good luck using Easy Off Heavy Duty oven cleaner to remove old anodized finishes so the aluminum can be polished.

04-02-2014, 06:45 PM	#5
ray_mcavoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman, ME Posts: 2,366	Re: Factory bed rail coating Glad to hear it did the trick! Yeah, that anodizing can be pretty stubborn and take a few applications of the oven cleaner to completely remove it all.



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