Factory installed predator steps chipping

Just bought my truck January 8th. I have 1400 miles on it and the paint on the factory installed predator step bars is flaking off. Anyone else had the same issue?

 

It happens. Step bars are down there in a wet and dirty area, getting pelted with dirt, sand, rocks and everything else. You could have them coated in bedliner professionally or tackle that yourself. Paints chips, no way around it on step bars. Even bedliner will need touch ups every so often.

 

Why not report the failure to the dealer who sold you the vehicle? Failure with 1400 miles seems odd unless there was a problem with the paint/powder coating process.

 

That’s my plan. I just don’t understand how powder coated steps I had on my f150 for 10 years and 213,000 miles never chipped but at 1400 miles these are chipping at the weld locations

 

Mass produced items like that usually have crappy powdercoat jobs on them. That's why my N-Fabs are Line-X'ed now.

 

Mine are flaking off bad on one side as well. Dealer played it off as something hit it that’s why. Granted the dealer will always blame something else besides Toyota.

 

Prede d’atto Steps are mass produced then sent to an independent Powder Coating facility. Chipping can occur if something impacts the coating such as a rock. There could also be issues with the pretreatment process that is used before coating. I have 25-30 years experience with wet and powder coating environments. I have a set of Predator Steps on my 2021 Tacoma and notice that they become water stained and loose their new looking finish. I might end up removing them and recoating them at some point.