Should we worry about water leaks with an aftermarket roof rack?

[dwai]

Just installed my k9 roof rack today! Looks pretty sweet but I'm worried about leaks from the mounting holes. Does the 200 series have any drainage system under the rail mounts?
The installation guide from ez-awn did not mention anything about applying RTV sealant on the mounting holes. (But maybe it's just commonsense and I'm just a dumb a**)

 

[gaijin]

Just installed my k9 roof rack today! Looks pretty sweet but I'm worried about leaks from the mounting holes. Does the 200 series have any drainage system under the rail mounts?
The installation guide from ez-awn did not mention anything about applying RTV sealant on the mounting holes. (But maybe it's just commonsense and I'm just a dumb a**)

The "drainage system" is to leak into the passenger cabin - not good.

FrontRunner believes strongly in the liberal application of silicone to prevent leaks:

That's from their installation pdf: https://frontrunner.thirdlight.com/file/42479795474

Unless the mounting system for your rack includes design elements specifically designed to prevent leaks, I would be worried.

HTH

 

[dwai]

The "drainage system" is to leak into the passenger cabin - not good.

FrontRunner believes strongly in the liberal application of silicone to prevent leaks:

That's from their installation pdf: https://frontrunner.thirdlight.com/file/42479795474

Unless the mounting system for your rack includes design elements specifically designed to prevent leaks, I would be worried.

HTH

Thanks for that info! The k9 rail runs through the whole roof rail.
https://cdn.webvanta.com/000000/50/...0ecc6ec5450977970/Eezi-Awn K9 Detail Rail.jpg

I'm not sure if it's weatherproof but I'll call them to find out. Worst case, I'll just have a PITA job this weekend...

 

[richxd87]

Thanks for that info! The k9 rail runs through the whole roof rail.
https://cdn.webvanta.com/000000/50/43/product_main/uploads/product/1397790875-0ecc6ec5450977970/Eezi-Awn K9 Detail Rail.jpg

I'm not sure if it's weatherproof but I'll call them to find out. Worst case, I'll just have a PITA job this weekend...

How was the install of the rails? Can you share some pics of just the rails installed?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[ckkone]

The Rhino Rack comes with butyl rubber gaskets that go between the backbone rails and the roof. Just to be safe I also applied some PL polyurethane sealant.

Loctite PL S30 10 fl. oz. Black Polyurethane Roof and Flashing Sealant-1675273 - The Home Depot

I like the poly sealant better than silicon, it sticks to smooth surfaces better IMHO.

Those K9 rails/feet are kind of an outdated way to attach a roof rack. I like the platform on the K9 but each mounting foot has 6 nuts and bolts, and there are 10 feet for a 200 series....or 60 nuts and bolts....yikes...

 

[dwai]

How was the install of the rails? Can you share some pics of just the rails installed?

Thanks,
Richard

Will do that when I get my car back from the shop. Water pump job

 

[dwai]

The Rhino Rack comes with butyl rubber gaskets that go between the backbone rails and the roof. Just to be safe I also applied some PL polyurethane sealant.

Loctite PL S30 10 fl. oz. Black Polyurethane Roof and Flashing Sealant-1675273 - The Home Depot

I like the poly sealant better than silicon, it sticks to smooth surfaces better IMHO.

Those K9 rails/feet are kind of an outdated way to attach a roof rack. I like the platform on the K9 but each mounting foot has 6 nuts and bolts, and there are 10 feet for a 200 series....or 60 nuts and bolts....yikes...

I got some permatex black in my garage so gunna use that. And yea, lots of bolts. PITA job

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The short answer is no... the long answer is when installed correctly, no.

Use a good sealant around and on the threads of the bolts and you'll be fine!

 

[dwai]

The short answer is no... the long answer is when installed correctly, no.

Use a good sealant around and on the threads of the bolts and you'll be fine!

Could you recommend what kind of sealant I should use? I already installed the rack so if all I have to do is remove the screw, apply the sealant on the screw threads, and reinstall, it would save me a lot of time and effort.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Could you recommend what kind of sealant I should use? I already installed the rack so if all I have to do is remove the screw, apply the sealant on the screw threads, and reinstall, it would save me a lot of time and effort.

A “non-hardening sealant no2”

https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-form-a-gasket-no-2-sealant/

I posted it in another thread about this, but that is what Toyota uses from the factory, and what southeast Toyota requires when installing roof racks stateside.

Don’t use a RTV type, it was not designed for poor mating surfaces like rack hardware to roof body work.

 

[dwai]

Finally did the work today.
- Remove bolts on the rail
- Apply some permatex sealant into the bolt hole and the threads
- Installed the bolts
Hopefully the water stays out!

 

[dwai]

How was the install of the rails? Can you share some pics of just the rails installed?

Thanks,
Richard

Here are some photos of the rails. Got some rain tonight so I'll check tomorrow morning. Hopefully no leaks inside the car :X

 

[TheLCProject]

Has your install held up? Any leaks? What sealant did you end up using?

 

[bloc]

Has your install held up? Any leaks? What sealant did you end up using?

@dwai isn't very active so pinging them as I did or replying directly to one of their posts might help get their attention if they have notifications turned on. Just FYI.

 

[dwai]

@dwai isn't very active so pinging them as I did or replying directly to one of their posts might help get their attention if they have notifications turned on. Just FYI.

I ended up using this one
Permatex® Form-A-Gasket® No. 2 Sealant - https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-form-a-gasket-no-2-sealant/

It's holding up just fine. Been thru storms, blizzards, and CA summers.

 

[TheComedian]

Just use sealant and loctite while mounting and everything is fine. Don’t forgett cleaning bevore.

 

[western flyer]

Some folks herein have suggested using silicone for sealing hardware in or near painted steel. Many silicone sealants essentially promote rust in painted steel. I found this out the hard way on my Tundra. The problem: some silicone caulks and sealers release acetic acid during curing, which can react with certain metals and cause a galvanic reaction to the sealer, or trap moisture under the sealer.

I suggest using other products besides silicone for sealing surfaces in contact with or near painted steel. I mostly use polyethylene sealers for these situations.

For sealing roof rack hardware holes in the body on my 80 and my trailer I have used:

Permathane -- a polyethylene sealer; it may be hard to find. I got it at Dixieline. Can be messy.
Loctite 565 -- is rated to specifically seal threads in hardware; I have used it on all my roof rack hardware threads.

Factory Rack Removal Options?

forum.ih8mud.com

Tons of info here:

Galvanic Reaction to Caulk | All Metals Fabrication

All Metals Fabrication has spent years developing core competencies in all types of metals including galvanic caulk. Galvanic reaction to caulk is dependent upon the type of metal used.

www.allmetalsfab.com

Silicone sealants and rust

Silicone sealants and rust

forum.w116.org

What metals does silicone corrode? | ContextResponse.com

According to Silicones: Chemistry and Corrosion, “Single part silicone sealers generally contain a cross-linking catalyst (such as a tin compound) that is activated upon exposure to moisture in the air.” When acetic acid is released, it attacks and corrodes metals such as copper, zinc, brass...

everythingwhat.com

Waterproof sealant for metal: Stops leaks in tough places

Waterproof sealant for metal – the DIYer’s choice for sealing metal surfaces. It protects against moisture and leaking even in harsh conditions.

www.loctiteproducts.com

What Type of Metal Sealant to Use for Painted Metal | DoItYourself.com

A metal sealant can help protect metal products and surfaces.

www.doityourself.com

Cheers,
Jon

 

[TheLCProject]

I shied away from the installation of the K9 roof rails for this exact reason. I wasn't comfortable with a "daub of silicone" and a stack of washers to keep water out. I'm sure that method is fine for most people and I'm sure that they've "never had anyone come back with complaints or water intrusion issues", but I felt like there had to be a better solution out there.

The approach that Rhino-Rack takes seems at least a little more methodical: foam coated copper washers and an o-ring around the bolt head going down. It may not be perfect but I felt better about it.

 

[scott johnson]

 

[Ben2jz]

I use rust bullet after installing my prinsu rack. Of course I fill it with silicon, let it dry the for a day. Then brush a few coat of the rust bullet on. I went heavy and let it leaked into the cracks. What it did was creat a hard tight seal and bonded with the paint, rack and hardware. It’s been about 18 months now here in CA. No issues. And yes I do put the rack to work.

I also just remember I have the black shell too as I am typing this. Will probably apply that over the weekend.

I just went to check, I had to force the lid open but the product is still good after all this time. If you do buy get the 4 oz. I still have a lot of material left. I got mine on Amazon.