Will this need painting, or does it ship ready to bolt on?

It ships in natural stainless finish and bolts on as-is. If you want to match your truck's color or add a powder coat for a custom look, the bare stainless can be prepped and painted — just sand lightly and use appropriate metal primer and automotive paint.

Does this come with mounting hardware?

The guard assembly is included. Confirm your truck's existing factory mounting points before installation — you may need fasteners depending on your current setup and whether you're replacing an existing guard or installing new.

How difficult is installation?

It's designed for DIY installation with basic hand tools. Plan on a couple hours if you're familiar with your truck; the guard mounts at factory points, so no drilling or permanent modifications needed. A second set of hands makes alignment easier.