Gear Review: 1 year with the 40" offroadledbars.com's Light Bar

[Expedition.Report]

As some of you may have seen on my Instagram I am having some issues with the finish quality of both products I have installed on my rig from this seller.

if you want the long story LINK

Short story:

Don't be confused, the light output of these lights are fine, but my 40" light bar started to look like crap after the second time I used it:

I did contact the seller after the 40" started to look like that, but he offered to return only $50 or a pair of 4" round LED lights (after I had a surprise $50 shipping bill upon delivery).

But low and behold the finish on those lights didn't even last 10 months:


I am sure there are some on here that have had great results from this company but I needed to say something.

 

[tkic]

thanks for sharing.

 

[Expedition.Report]

No prob


Sent from handheld smoke signal device

 

[JamesW]

I live in a much less sunny climate,and my chinese bar is doing the same,to a lesser extent. Think i'll just mask off the lens and fire some VHT paint onto it. Sort of poor of the company for not standing over their product and just giving you them lights,probably knowing you'll get stung for the shipping

The handlebars on my bike which were black have done the same thing too,gone a sort of bronze colour,however I like the colour it has gone so I'm keeping it.

The round one just looks like shoddy powder coating ,maybe a small bit of water or imperfection on the surface beforehand.

 

[herm]

my glasses, the seat post on my trek and the aluminum valve stem caps on my truck are that color, after starting out black. I do wonder what the difference between the frame which stays a nice matt black and the seat post and other aluminum parts is?

the company should stand behind their product. thanks for giving us the heads up.

 

[java]

my glasses, the seat post on my trek and the aluminum valve stem caps on my truck are that color, after starting out black. I do wonder what the difference between the frame which stays a nice matt black and the seat post and other aluminum parts is?

the company should stand behind their product. thanks for giving us the heads up.

Anodizing vs paint or powder coat in the frame. The anodizing just doesn't hold up really well to UV, especially the dark colors.

 

[AllenL]

how has the exposed wiring, grommets, and overall weatherproofing held up?

 

[Expedition.Report]

how has the exposed wiring, grommets, and overall weatherproofing held up?

Good question, I have to say, everything that these lights need to do to maintain their function has stood up well, no burnt out LED's or messed up wiring all of it has been in 100% working order.

Its just the aesthetics that are not holding up.

I did buy a can of VHT High Temp Paint (black) this week and the plan is to prep the surface and give the lights a freshen up

 

[luckyjoe]

The anodizing just doesn't hold up really well to UV, especially the dark colors.

Unfortunately this is often true, but it doesn't have to be. It can be due to shortcuts or cost savings in the manufacturing process - specifically the oxide coating being too thin, insufficient dye absorption (pore capacity), or the absence and/or poor quality of a metallic nickel seal. All of this could be attributed to a lack of knowledge on the anodizer's part as well.

I have dozens of high quality, black anodized mountain bike parts from the 1980's - many run on a weekly basis - that are still blacker than black.

 

[Expedition.Report]

A Gal I work with says her dad owns and operates a anodizing outfit and she tells me that anything cast aluminum can't be anodized & they wont do it..... perhaps that's just his shop rule as the quality is never there?

I'm no expert so I thought I would throw that idea out there for someone who knows more then I