I have ran the smittybilts for almost a year with no problem. I have to shelf liner stuff behind mine to protect the paint

 

Smittys with no issue and still fit with my aev snorkel and rigids.

 

Buy the ones from pirate. In my opinion. Best looking brackets out!

 

That's nasty and I'd be pissed. I believe mine are Rugged Ridge and came with a rubber washer attached to the back side. No problems or rust. Either ask for money back or sand prime, recoat with a bedlinder spray. Get some edpm rubber and make a gasket to go in between, but first I would ask for money back or find another manufacturer.

 

I had the KC mounts & lights ... Ran them about a year & the mounts were rusted & bubbling & the lights themselves were rusting around the lenses & hardware ! KC will stand behind they're 23 years but your gonna have 23 sets of lights if you live in rust world. They're coatings are cheap , So I can't imagine off brand .... Mine were never to your effect but, I learned ya get what ya pay for ashamedly ! Good luck ! I understand the frustration !