2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Advice on drilling holes...

[PRyker]

It seems that more and more of the things I want to do to the truck require me to drill holes into the painted sheetmetal. I HATE to do this as it will eventually start to rust, no matter how much I do to retard it.



What does everyone here do to protect freshly drilled bare metal from rusting?



Thanks



Phil

 

[MACHINEST]

depends where your drilling,when i put my 5-wheel in,i used OEM touch up paint,and put silicone on the washers,that way no water , can get to it!

Hope this helps

 

[PRyker]

Well... for starters I will be adding the 3500 Dually rear marker lights to my tailgate. I will need to drill a hole in the tailgate for the wiring harness to pass through. Since there will be no bolt in that hole what would you suggest? I thought about painting with touchup paint and then installing a rubber gromet with a bead of silicone. What do ya think?



I also want to install cab clearence lights... that is a bunch of holes with potential to not only rust but leak.



I would like to see what others have done that has been proven to work well.



Thanks

 

[CstlEng]

Better than silicone is this stuff from 3M called 5200. It is the same idea as silicone (pliable water sealant) and comes in the same tubes/ cartridges, but is polyurethane based. It actually sticks to stuff after a few months. We use it on our work boats all the time for various things, but I have found it VERY good at both protecting/ holding wires away from the sharp edges of the sheet metal holes they pass through and at sealing the sheat metal from moisture. My 99 has a lot of holes in it sealed this way, and no cancer at all around the holes... and I go through a lot of salt water.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I load the screw with silicone grease. If it's an access hole spray primer in a small lid and dab it on with a q tip.

 

[Guest]

POR 15