My factory hitch is showing signs of rusting from numerous boat launching/recovery ops, so I'm wondering if the hitch is simply painted from the factory or is it powder coated?

I'm thinking of removing it to get it powder coated for better corrosion prevention, but if it was already powder coated, then it will not improve the corrosion resistance and I have to find another way to tackle the rusting.

 

if you are having issues, why not pull it off and use por-15 on it. that should prevent you from ever having to worry about it again.

 

Not familiar with that product (I just Googled it). Even after repeated insertions and removal of both the hitch and pins has this "paint" (if that's what it truly is) been able to resist being scratched/abraded off, exposing the bare metal once again?

 

alot of classic car people use it on their frames. you brush it on and it lays on real thick and it's job is to prevent rust. another one is rust bullet IIRC, but por-15 seems to be the most popular. you won't want to put this in where the hitch slides since its so thick.

could always have it line-x'd as well

 

I see.

The rusting appears to be inside the receiver itself, so I'm assuming since you don't coat the interior, this is not the answer for the rusting that I'm experiencing.

 

i mean you could, just be careful to not put to much, but no matter what you do it's going to rust on the inside from pulling the hitch in and out. why not just leave your hitch in? if it's not illegal in your state it will give you some added protection.

 

Whether I leave a hitch in or not will won't take care of the rust so eventually the receiver will deteriorate unacceptably (albeit, it may take many YEARS before that happens!). And I don't want to forget about it after a year or so and experience what another F150 user here experienced wherein he can't remove the hitch anymore because it appears to be rusted in solid (although I have an aluminum mount).

I'm still going with your advice to use POR-15 though! I wonder if its sprayable; that way I can control some of the coverage inside the receiver...

 

http://www.henkel.com/aquence-autophoretic-12623.htm

 

Augster...I actually painted my receiver/insert & all of the metal around the light hook up with Rustoleum Spray-in-Bedliner spray right after I bought the truck last year. The bedliner spray was really easy to spray on and it still looks as good as the day I bought the truck. Just another option...

 

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

You're never going to be able to keep that area from corroding. First, you're sliding a draw bar in and out at least a few times a year. Second, as you hit bumps, accelerate, stop and turn, the draw bar moves around inside the receiver. All of that movement will eventually remove any coating. If the corrosion really bothers you, buy a slip in cover. As **** as I am with my truck, that's what I do because I tow so often.

BTW, the factory finish on your receiver is paint - not powder coat.

 

Ya, I realize it's a losing battle in that area, but as they say "an ounce of protection..."

That's all I'm trying to do. Just provide the best protection I can and clean up whatever comes of it.

But thanks for finally answering that question.

I was going to have some unsightly bumper scratches on each corner repainted (if they don't have to repaint the whole bumper) and replace the step pad because some thing heavy dropped on it and damaged it really bad, so since I'm working on that area, I was contemplating removing the receiver to get it powder coated so long as it was just paint to begin with.

 

Trust me, powder coating will not last much longer than any paint in that application. Too much impact.

 

I have used my hitch dozens of times in the last year and a half since I bought the truck and the spray-in-bedliner spray that I put on my hitch and receiver is showing no signs of rust or wear at all. Another good product to keep your draw bar from sliding around in the receiver is an anti-rattle hitch bracket. I'm sure I'll eventually have to do some touch-up work on my receiver, but I'm really pleased at how well it looks so far! Here's a link for the bracket...http://www.cabelas.com/product/Auto-...3Bcat104386680

 

Ya, I was looking at an anti-rattle solution for the noise but I'm sure it would help in preventing the inside of the receiver from getting chipped and worn from a loose fit.