Question about roof rack bolt plating...

[pistolrvr]

I recently installed an Eezi-Awn K9 roof rack, bought from the nice folks Equipt. It has worked out great, and looks really nice. I have one minor quibble, and that is that the bolts on the rack feet are all yellow zinc plated (or, if not exactly, something that looks similar). It's harshing my "all black rack" vibe.

Looking to all the experts here for an opinion on how to achieve a nicer look... It seems like black oxide bolts rust as soon as I turn my back. Is black zinc as corrosion resistant as the yellow zinc plating? Should I just pop them off and hit them with some rustoleum?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Ryan

 

[doru]

In my experience with the average bolts, yellow plating lasts longer than black oxide. Bu ti also had black oxide doing well. Black oxide comes in many variations, some more resistant than others. Most of them are not very resistant. I found Thule and Volvo OEM ones to be really good, but I do not know what process they use. On Volvo's the finish is semi-glossy. If I remember well, it all depends on what is applied over the black oxide. Talk to your platting shop to see what options you have. The at home kits do not include anything but the actual black oxidation, and that is not a good protection in my own experience.