Bumper rust?

[superjens]

I drilled a couple of holes in my bumper to mount some lights, you guys think I need to worry about rust in the future? I'm thinking I should paint the bare metal inside the holes. Maybe I should just let 'em rust, it'll force me to buy an Arb sooner :smoker:

[evergreen]

i have noticed some of the scratches and chips in both the front and rear bumpers are showin a little cancer.
good thing i got rrdstarrs old one sittin in the garage...

[rrdstarr]

With the salt we have in our air in the PNW you'll have rust Jens!!! I'd find some way to protect the metal you just drilled through!

[Schludwiller]

Agreed. Mask off the areas where the holes are so you don't get paint beyond the light brackets and hit the holes with rustoleum. When I drilled into steel with my Kargomaster rack I painted, then after it was dry I sealed it with Silicone as a backup for wear from vibration of the bolts..

[warmonger]

I agree with Shclud. I thought the bumper was made of the same cheap material they make most other bumpers out of until I got whacked. I now have rust all over my damaged bumper. You definitely better protect it.

[xterra2k]

I just had both my bumpers repainted and the body shop guy express his surprise at how little paint he found on the bumpers, when he started to sand them down.
My front bumper was already rusting from rock chips and the rear got scraped by a tree.
Now they are really painted and are holding up great against rocks. (little ones )