Now, unlike most men, I do actually get all the necessary tools and gear out prior to installation to at least try and convince my son that Dad knows what he is doing.  Besides a buddy (which is always helpful for any installation, if only for moral support and sharing a story afterwards), I needed a few other things:

• Jack Stands

• Hydraulic Floor Jack

• Drill

• Drill Bits (even though one is provided, I�m a pilot hole guy, so I need more)

• Trusty Sharpie Marker

• Paint Pen (something besides black for marking on black frame rails)

• Nuts and Bolts (came with kit, along with drill bit)

• Spray Paint

• Wooden Board (basically, I used a piece of shelving about 6� by 4�) 

After I had gathered all my tools and supplies, it was time to paint the sliders.  They come as basic unpainted steel, so they need a coat of something to protect them from rust and to add a nice finish to the final product� after all, these are going on your Jeep!

Now I chose Rust-Oleum �Hammered Finish� Black spray paint.  Two cans were enough for me to do three coats per slider, plus I had some left over for touch up after installation.  However, you can never have too much spray paint on hand, so get three cans if you think you might need it.   

You can choose any type and color of spray paint you want, as long as it is designed for metal and provides protection against the elements and rust (and doesn�t look like spray on faux chrome!).  Spray on bed-liner is great too, as well as good �ol shiny black.  I liked the hammered finish for a little bit of texture and to help hide dings down the road when I have to touch it up. 

As always, when spray painting anything, do it outside where you have good ventilation, and try to put something down on the ground.  Very few things make your spouse as upset as a permanent spray paint tattoo of your latest project on the concrete or against the house. 

I let them dry, then it was time to install!