ARB deluxe colour coded bar - paint quality

[mikey87 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mikey87]

Hi everyone.. i got a "colour coded" ARB Deluxe bullbar fitted to my 2016 prado, whats everyones experience with paint quality? I got a few drip marks on it like a apprentice painted it and the underside and the winch area hasnt been painted at all. Being my first ever bar i want sure what to expect. Your comments and experiences would be appreciated

Mike

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

My understanding is that ARB don't do the colour coding. The dealer will have got them painted by his subbie.

[5logs Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 5logs]

What colour is it ? I reakon they look better with the under panels left black when the bar is colour coded, that's what I've done with mine. Have you got a pic of the installed bar ?

[Eukaryote76 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Eukaryote76]

I have the same. Paint quality average. Ditto the drip marks. They didn't paint underneath but it looks intentional rather than lazy. Toyota dealer told me they give ARB the paint code and ARB painted it. Scratched my car the first weekend of ownership in Gordon Country, so minor flaws are less of a consideration these days. I have metallic storm which is great color which changes in different lights, but not one to hide scratches. Should have got white!

[JordanSwarts Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JordanSwarts]

I know that the ARB dealer where i live gets them repainted to match the car, as a standard they all come black.... his words.
that said a crap paint job is a warranty on him.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

The Bars are powdercoated Black.

From the 2015 ARB Pricelist:

"A high quality automotive refinishing two-pack paint system is applied on top of the powder coat after it has been hand prepared by by our expert staff"

"For colour coded products, ARB utilises one of the finest paint systems available. However with modern colours, and bearing in mind we are working to a colour code formula supplied by the paint company, due to possible variations in factory applied paint colours on your vehicle, we are unable to guarantee a 100% match"

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

The Nudgee ARB tell me they paid them themselves after delivery from head office (overseas imports).

[REN470 Member Find all posts View Profile Close REN470]

Hi,


Ive got a white colour coded and the paint quality is great no runs etc. The only section that wasn't painted is the removable panels underneath, they are left black and look like they are meant to be.


Cheers

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

I should mention that my Bar's paint is picture perfect. In fact, until I read the price list, I was convinced I was powdercoated (not painted) white.
The removable panels are indeed black - I think it would look weird if they too were colour codes.

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

I had to send mine back twice for warranty claim as the paint job was so bad it started spot rusting and the paint started flaking within 2 months each time. No beach driving or anything like that. The first two also had large obviously visible drip flows and a lot of weld spatter on what should have been flat surface. The local ARB rep said they were painted in house by ARB at a new facility here in Sydney that was "state of the art". The third time I had to insist they seam-sealed the bar to prevent rusting and so far it seems to have worked. To be fair to ARB they inspected both of the first two and agreed the paint job was poor and was causing the rust, and replaced both under warranty. I have pictures at post 24 in my build thread here. If you're not satisfied I would suggest you talk to the ARB warranty manager and see if they can do anything about it. They are quite reasonable in that respect. You are paying for the premium product (with premium price) after all.

Cheers
Spike

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Poor man pays twice. That's the quote from the company that did the tough coating on my ARB bar.

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

Incorrect you can buy them colour coded for an extra $250! I buy in ARB bars for our dealership and sell them at the same price as ARB