The trailing arms on Expeditions rust really bad. They are stamped steel with a very brittle coating that when damaged trapped water and salt around the metal and actually promotes rust. Combine that with the parts being made of some sort of steel that rusts so fast it is scary. I was just about to purchase a new aftermarket set of uppers but the other day I was at the junk yard and an expedition came in and it had a brands new set on it (still has the dealer parts sticker on it). So I scooped them up for cheep. Before I install them I want to clean them up and paint them / coat them to provide better protection.
One of my thoughts was to press out the bushings, sand blast all the paint off and send them to a local place that does Hot Dip galvanizing. I could get that done for less than $20. This however is not very convenient as I have to go there drop them off come back a week later and pick them up and then press in new bushings. Also my truck is 12 years old. The OE parts lasted 12 years and I don't see me keeping this truck another 12 years. I just want a good paint or coating that I can use to protect these things. What do you all recommend.
