repainting the stock roof rack

[laxaholic]

I'm about to repaint my factory roof rack in the morning and just wanted to be sure that what I'm about to do will look good and last through some use.

I plan to sand it some and then wash it down and make sure its clean.
After that I let it dry, I'll hit it with a few coats of flatblack rustoleum.
Try and clean the tracks that it was mounted in on the roof and put it back.

Any suggestions? Just want to make sure It'll look good and last.
Anything I could do to the stock rack while its off to make it more useful? (Tie downs, etc.)

 

[Griffin]

no idea, but i'm interested in seeing how it works out. I also need to paint my rack, darn thing is beat up.

 

[laxaholic]

what do you guys normally do with the bug deflectors and rear wing? off or on?

 

[FullyLitLED]

what do you guys normally do with the bug deflectors and rear wing? off or on?

rear wing is the only thing left on

 

[laxaholic]

you know....it looks okay without the rack kinda..

 

[FullyLitLED]

you know....it looks okay without the rack kinda..

Lol it does but it makes the truck look too wide IMO, its not proportioned without the rack! Looks like a Nissan Patrol

 

[Tahomatom]

I need to do this too. I had a few small peels but this weekend it was like water on gremlins and started peeling all over.

 

[schow]

I just had my factory roof rack repainted about a month ago. I took everything apart (disassemble every single screws) and have it spray painted piece by piece. Just take your time, don’t rush. I did start out by using flat black, but later I found out satin black works out better for me. I don't want my roof rack to look all glossy, but flat black tends to leave marks with my dirty hand. So I pick satin black as the middle choice. Now my roof rack is as good as new!

 

[pfran42]

I read somewhere that removing the port installed "OEM" rack crossbars helps improve fuel economy by about 1 MPG. Something to consider if you are just putting it back on for looks.

- Sent from a better phone than an iPhone

 

[laxaholic]

I read somewhere that removing the port installed "OEM" rack crossbars helps improve fuel economy by about 1 MPG. Something to consider if you are just putting it back on for looks.

- Sent from a better phone than an iPhone

i saw that somewhere too, what would u fill the bolt holes with then?

 

[lexi4darin]

lax-

please please please document this. I'm in your same boat of desperately needing a new paint job for the roof rack. I'll be doing mine in a month or two so document and post pics please!

 

[lexi4darin]

I just had my factory roof rack repainted about a month ago. I took everything apart (disassemble every single screws) and have it spray painted piece by piece. Just take your time, don’t rush. I did start out by using flat black, but later I found out satin black works out better for me. I don't want my roof rack to look all glossy, but flat black tends to leave marks with my dirty hand. So I pick satin black as the middle choice. Now my roof rack is as good as new!

Any pics buddy?

 

[laxaholic]

lax-

please please please document this. I'm in your same boat of desperately needing a new paint job for the roof rack. I'll be doing mine in a month or two so document and post pics please!

will do, should be done this week if i can find the time.

 

[bkgee]

have you considered repainting them with a textured paint or linex? just some thoughts. but i think a basic paint job is just fine too. looking forward to you results. was it relatively easy to get the racks off? i have this bookmarked, but just wondering if you had any problem removing https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/54473-factory-roof-rack-removal.html

 

[rking]

I have been thinking about taking off and repainting mine also, but the Meguiar's Endurance tire gel, really puts the shine back in everthing. I use that on the rack, rear wing and the back bumper (still stock) and everything looks nice and black again. But with all that paint off on yours I'd repaint also. Also, you could add some u bolts, or tie-downs those seem like they could come in handy.

 

[laxaholic]

I did think about bed lining the rack, but I have to see how much the difference in cost would be.

The rack was easy to get off once you can get those covers off, those are a pain for sure. I'm scared I'll break them or something.

 

[pfran42]

i saw that somewhere too, what would u fill the bolt holes with then?

What bolt holes? You are just taking off the crossbars. They slide out of the side rail slots once you take an end off each one. Look at your rack...you'll see what I am talking about.

- Sent from a better phone than an iPhone

 

[laxaholic]

What bolt holes? You are just taking off the crossbars. They slide out of the side rail slots once you take an end off each one. Look at your rack...you'll see what I am talking about.

- Sent from a better phone than an iPhone

i know that, but I mean for people who leave the entire rack off...not just the crossbars

 

[smm3]

I would be interested in doing this as well. Please take some pics of the process....

 

[1loudLX]

i know that, but I mean for people who leave the entire rack off...not just the crossbars

you put bolts in the holes that are the same spec as the ones you took out, just shorter so they dont stick up. Then if you're super anal you can get the little plastic pop in covers.