Roof Rack Rust: a cautionary tale

[george_tlc]

Our truck is a rack virgin. Not sure how many made it past the port without being "altered" but glad ours did every time I see one of these.

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. Our 80 was purchased Jan '98 - just as the first 100's were hitting the lots (no way I was buying some IFS pseudo-cruiser). My only stipulation was that we wanted white and the factory lockers (essentially free). The dealer had to get one moved up from LA (none left in the bay area that were white/locked). Once it arrived we went to the dealer to sign papers and pick it up, saw a white 80 with the rack/running boards and thought "crap, oh well, at least we got one" - BUT, turns out it wasn't ours. When they drove ours out for our inspection it was 'naked', white/locked and a CE - score! So, it appears a few escaped from the port installed garbage.

cheers,
george.

 

[DirtyLawyer]

Rolled out the top with Monstaliner last weekend. Color is "Killer Beej", my factory paint is 4M9 - I think it contrasts well.

Application was pretty straight forward. Doing a quality prep job is the key, and you just have to take your time. I used MEK substitute for the solvent (MEK banned in California), and used 160 grit sanding blocks from Ace along with the supplied scuffing pads. I would also recommend using a "poly-brush" instead of a traditional paint brush for smaller areas and detail work - it allows you to dab the paint on and keeps the texture more uniform.

One tip: if you have a sunroof, open the sunroof just so that it drops down below the roofline. Cover the glass, and it eliminates the need to try and mask off all the way around the sunroof.

I am going to do the rain gutters in black monstaliner, since I removed the trim and the factory paint line is now exposed. I am pleased with the outcome, and really like the look of a naked rooftop.

 

[Bella1992]

I live in Arizona and when I removed my rack I noticed a tiny amount of rust and I was very surprised. Glad to be rid of the rack, looking forward to painting the top a more reflective color to keep the heat down!

 

[Qball]

Huummmm......maybe it's time to check under my rack. Good thing it lived in socal all it's life.


...Misspelled via IH8MUD app

 

[NLXTACY]

Huummmm......maybe it's time to check under my rack. Good thing it lived in socal all it's life.

You'd think so...

 

[greentruck]

SNIP..View attachment 946701

Slick, very slick

 

[BltByKrmn]

You guys have me paranoid about rust under the roof rack now.

 

[Hoodooman]

You guys have me paranoid about rust under the roof rack now.

Likewise...
I'll need to get the step ladder out & check that out...