Bedliner spray coating on trailer hitch?

[franc944]

OK - I just ordered a UHAUL brand new hitch for my Ridgeline off the eBay for what I think is the biggest bargain ever

$95 delivered, shipping included.

I am also getting an OEM harness so I an sure I will figure out how to tap and drill into the UHAUL Hitch.

I normally ONLY buy OEM stuff so I am very doubtful of the quality of the UHAUL hitch, especially when it probably costs $50 for delivery and I am paying $95 total.

My question is should I prep and paint on a bed liner finish onto the hitch so it will not rust and look allot more custom rather then just cheap? Most of the rusty hitches I see on the road always have the orange striped UHAUL decal so I definitely don't want that look on my truck, need a better finish then the flat black paint, powder coat is too expensive, rubberized undercoat is too ugly, bed liner stuff might be the most durable bang for the buck. I figure might as well put on a more durable finish BEFORE I put it on the truck because if it begins to rust I would probably be too lazy to remove and repaint it.

Am I being ridiculous with overkill?

Any tips on mounting OEM harness to this hitch?

Thanks!
Franco

[VoicesInMyHead]

Originally Posted by franc944

My question is should I prep and paint on a bedliner finish onto the hitch so it will not rust and look alot more custom rather then just cheap?

Am I being rediculous with overkill?

Well, I can not speak to the hitch quality... However, make it look how you want it to look!!!

I spent about a month looking for a black metal license plate frame that I liked. I wanted something other than the plain rectangle frame. Couldn't find one I liked - bought a "shark tooth" metal frame off the internet - wouldn't fit in the bumper slot.

Finally, I just bought a chrome diamond plate frame from the local AutoZone - looked nice! Took it home and immediately used a Dremel to scuff it up, cleaned it, primed it and painted it black to match the bumper foot pads, and the other black items on the truck (not that I dislike chrome - my bike is chrome and black - but my truck wants to be de-chromed as much as possible ).

So... a month+, total of 3 frames, then 2 days for prep & paint, just for a license plate frame.
So, I would have to say NO, you are not approaching "overkill" just yet.

[shovelhd]

I had a U-Haul hitch on my Ranger. It was a high quality part. The paint was thin. so if you want you can paint it before you put it on. I think a good epoxy paint would do well.

[HH4]

I use Dupli-Color truck bed coating in the spray can to paint the racks and bumpers on my ATV. Also used it to paint the Back Rack I modified for the RL. Textured finish looks good and holds up much better than paint.

[franc944]

I picked up a can of the duplicolor bed liner spray at the Autozone for about $7.00.

I think hitch manufacturers should use that stuff, cost is comparable to regular paint and its a whole lot more durable. That paint might even cut down on customer complaints of damaged hitches durring shipping.

The U Haul hitch I got has a bit of paint missing where the FedEx guy dragged it into my office on the sidewalk.

I guess only time will tell how long this spray lasts under a truck exposed to salt and road grime.

I will deffinitely use it as a finish on the Subaru Brat seats I am modifying for the bed.

Thanks for the tip!