I have the Westin chrome nerf bars. I really like them alot, they have held up well. I was putting another coat of wax on them the other day when the weather broke, and I noticed 3 rust spots on one, and a big rust chip on the inside of the other one. These steps do have a five year warranty on corrosion, that's why I bought them. All I have is the reciept, no packaging or anything. They are less than a year old.

Has anybody had any problems with Westin bars, and if you've ever had to return them because of similar problems, how did you do it and how did it go?

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97 F-150 XLT 4.6L, Black, S/C, 4x4, ORP, K&N, Flowmaster 40 with dual rear pipes, Chrome Westin nerfs, Omniguard SE bug deflector, Extang snapless tonno, VentVisors, Kenwood CD, Kenwood 6x8's, Kenwood tweeters, Kenwood 300 watt amp, MTX thunderform dual 8's.

 

Well, I have heard of this problem from others. That is why I just went with the black powder coated Westin ones. It is hard to get good chromed metal these days. The EPA regulations end up resulting in lower chromium levels in the process. Requireing use of less total chrome and (I think) the use of more trivalent chromium (less toxic)instead of mixtures with hexavalent chromium (very toxic). If you notice some old junk cars fron the 50's you still see alot of good chrome even when the rest of the car is rusted away. Now those were the days of good chrome! But of course bad environmental conditions as well. So it is not all their fault as the chrome we get now a days is substandard and thinner. Most clear coat the chromed parts but once that is destroyed the rust get's behind it and ....

Sure! The dealer should take them back on a reciept and replace them. That should be enough to prove purchase date.

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, Super Cab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake control, K&N filter, Sure Stop towing skirt, Westin step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner.

 

Deputy
I also have the Westin chrome nerf bars, and the other day i also noticed a small rust spot. I have not looked any closer than that, too scared. I put them on in November '99. I will definetly clean it up and put some wax on it soon since the weather has finally broke for good (i hope).

 

I had westin nerfs on my last truck.I bought them because of the warranty.I could be wrong but I think the warranty only covers rusting trough the bars.The next set I buy will be stainless.

 

I noticed the same thing on mine. It appears that small rock chips on the underside become dime sized rust spots. I pulled each side off (2 bolts). I then cleaned and shined them up with Chrome Polish. The rust comes right off and your left with tiny chips. I then completely painted the undersides with CLEAR wheel paint ($5). You can buy it in a spray can at most auto stores. It's just a heavy duty clear coat for mags. I wish I would have done it in the first place. I then did the same process to the rusty roll bar on my hunting truck. So far so good!

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1998 F-150 SC 4X4, 5.4, ORP, Red clearcoat, K&N, Chrome push guard, roll bar & tube side steps, Smoke bug guard and tail light covers, Black bed mat & Ford mud flaps.
www.wrtc.com/oldbook/Truck5.jpg

 

Hey BTR, good idea! I think I will do the same, but rather than taking them off, just crawling underneath and doing it, then painting it, protecting the truck by putting some old sheets in between. If I'm gonna take them off, I want to be able to put new ones back on!

How long has it been since you did this? Does it look any different? And does the top look different than the bottom, or did you spray the whole bar?

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97 F-150 XLT 4.6L, Black, S/C, 4x4, ORP, K&N, Flowmaster 40 with dual rear pipes, Chrome Westin nerfs, Omniguard SE bug deflector, Extang snapless tonno, VentVisors, Kenwood CD, Kenwood 6x8's, Kenwood tweeters, Kenwood 300 watt amp, MTX thunderform dual 8's.

 

I ordered a set 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting to get a pair that isnt damaged. One was damaged by good ole UPS and returned to the vendor The other set was all scrated up in the box and was sent back. If the third set is damaged I'll just say screw it. But if there not damaged well At least no I dont have to pay shipping now.

Did any of you have problems with the bars being nicked or scratched?

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Black 1999 F-150 XLT Sport (removed 4x4 sport sticker) 4WD, Reg Cab, SB, Styleside, 4.6 V8, 3.55 LSD, 5 Speed Manual Trans, Visteon CD-6 changer, Midland CB, Ford/Duraliner bedliner

 

I did it a year ago+. It's only one big bolt on each side to remove them. It's clear coat, so you can't notice a thing. I only did the bottoms/sides. I haven't looked lately, but they were fine last fall when I wash/waxed.

The chrome roll bar on my hunting truck would always get rusty about a month or two after I took the steel wool to it (depending on amount of rain). It's holding up fine now.

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1998 F-150 SC 4X4, 5.4, ORP, Red clearcoat, K&N, Chrome push guard, roll bar & tube side steps, Smoke bug guard and tail light covers, Black bed mat & Ford mud flaps.
www.wrtc.com/oldbook/Truck5.jpg