OEM Roof Rack Rails

[jsoto]

It's been so long I can't remember....is our roof rack rails painted or is it just *cleared*.

About 3 years, it came back from the bodyshop....they do their typical powerwash, etc. Interior was wiped clean, etc. BUT, the rails seemed to have lost their topcoat....it's as if it went from a finish to *dull metal* overnight.

I never got around to dealing with it....but it's on my spring to do list..

[SMOKEY53]

Mine have lost their sheen, a very powdery finish.

It looks to me as if they were powdercoated with no clear top coat. There are some places where the paint is lifting off and it's definitely bare metal underneath, no primer etc.

I reckon if I were to restore them I'd need to media blast them and start from scratch.

I'm deliberating between repainting them body colour or just deleting them all together. I don't use them for anything, they're aesthetic only.

[jsoto]

yeah, I suppose it was PC....and whatever heavy wash the bodyshop used, it etched it down and dirty....

I use dressings to mask the bare metal, but it only lasts for so long...


I guess I'll have to get around to taking them off and either having them painted or pc...

[ants_oz]

I thought they were anodised. That would explain the deterioration of the surface. Powdercoating can be polished if you are reasonably careful, and returns to excellent gloss. (It is a tough coating, but will burn if overheated through careless use of a mechanical polisher.)

BTW - mine look like poo also - powdery and horrible. I've not tried polishing them yet as I avoid polishing vehicles like the plague (I don't like removing volume from the paint). Might have to bite the bullet though and see what happens...

[Ricky Bobby]

^^^Bingo, they are anodized. Polishing won't bring back the original luster. I would say if it bothers you have them powdercoated. Maybe $150?

I actually like my racks and don't plan to delete them, but I may powdercoat them someday, I took off some oxidation with a metal polish but it didn't bring back the color.

[ants_oz]

Anyone got clues on process to remove them?

[jsoto]

Ant -

There are caps on top. Remove them, then torx underneath..
Pretty straightforward process.

Wifey hit a pothole this Saturday. Luckily, the rim was not damaged but the sidewall of the tire blew out.

Just another task on the long to do spring checklist...

[SMOKEY53]

Originally Posted by jsoto

Ant -

Wifey hit a pothole this Saturday.

Unforgiveable. Cash that in for some 'butt bucks' I reckon.

I've been having thoughts about doing mine in silver

[ants_oz]

Originally Posted by jsoto

Ant -

There are caps on top. Remove them, then torx underneath..
Pretty straightforward process.

Wifey hit a pothole this Saturday. Luckily, the rim was not damaged but the sidewall of the tire blew out.

Just another task on the long to do spring checklist...

Cheers mate! Looks like its time to start hunting for a powdercoating shop...
Either that or talk to a paint and panel guy I know who could shoot them with a few coats of black, then some clear.

Will report back with news when I finally have some!

[g300d]

Originally Posted by SMOKEY53

Unforgiveable. Cash that in for some 'butt bucks' I reckon.

I've been having thoughts about doing mine in silver

Looks like silver rails wouldnt look bad on a black X with titanium trim.