rust on hole for gooseneck?

[Newsa]

I just installed a gooseneck hitch a week ago. One question. Has anyone ever experienced rust at the edge of the hole that you drill in the bed of the truck?

Are there any precautions I should take? Or is it a non-issue?

 

[handtools]

When I did mine I used a spray can of bed liner on the drilled holes to protect from rust. My truck has a spray in liner.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

When we did it at the dealership we would use a touch up paint to cover the exposed metal

 

[wyosteve]

When I installed mine, I used Rustoleum to paint the cut edge.

 

[TimBrunett]

I cleaned mine up with a low flash solvent and painted it with some of our DTM industrial coating. It won't rust for a few years.

 

[garrettg84]

I just installed a gooseneck hitch a week ago. One question. Has anyone ever experienced rust at the edge of the hole that you drill in the bed of the truck?

Are there any precautions I should take? Or is it a non-issue?

From a longevity point of view, I would actually hit it with some sand paper if it has been exposed to the elements for a week before you paint or cover it. A week is enough time for microscopic rust deposits to form, possibly macroscopic (visible) depending on air temp, moisture, salinity, and exposure to other oxidizers.