Waterprrofing the roof

[super50]

First of all..apologies if its been covered before. I searched (a little) I love this forum.

I am in the middle of a roof rack install.
The stock rack is off, and the new one goes on this weekend (Surco expedition 5060) Thanks to Klausvanwinkle's write up. Thanks again!! I really owe you a

I will be usign the stock rack location, and not drill new holes in the roof.

My question is - Do I need to do any waterproofing after the new rack goes on? Specifically around the bolts? The stock rack had a veritable fortress around each bolt, and it was very clean when it came off.

Thanks again!!

 

[LCAdvocate]

I would clean up the mounting hole areas and at the very least put a little silicone in the bolt holes. Mine would leak at the bolt holes, especially at the front left, which ended up wetting my seatbelt strap on occasion. If you notice problems with the factory sealant around the bolt flanges, then I would reseal those. I also used a piece of Kydex, 0.06 or 0.08 I can't remember, as a "buffer" between my rack mounts and the roof mounts. I made a template that marked the bolt hole locations and transferred that to the Kydex to make a base pad, roughly 1" wide by 4.5/5" long. For my purpose, it was to separate and limit the galvanic reaction between my aluminum rack and the steel roof mounts, but it might not be a bad idea for any type metal to prevent the metal to metal contact and rust.

 

[virafp]

3M sealer

First of all..apologies if its been covered before. I searched (a little) I love this forum.

I am in the middle of a roof rack install.
The stock rack is off, and the new one goes on this weekend (Surco expedition 5060) Thanks to Klausvanwinkle's write up. Thanks again!! I really owe you a

I will be usign the stock rack location, and not drill new holes in the roof.

My question is - Do I need to do any waterproofing after the new rack goes on? Specifically around the bolts? The stock rack had a veritable fortress around each bolt, and it was very clean when it came off.

Thanks again!!

I reinstalled my rack, and used 3M pro auto body sealer on all the bolts.

 

[RobRed]

The port install on the "factory" rack used silicone in the bolt holes.

 

[2000UZJ]

Call me stupid but I did not use anything with my Gamiviti mounts. I haven't had a leak (probably will now) in over a year (except for when I removed the main rear door seal...lol). I would use a silicon just for safe measures, I want to add some to my roof rack but that thing called laziness keeps me infront of the TV watching House of Cards.

 

[TXLX100]

I had a water leak from the front left leg on my factory rack, wetting the driver seat belt area. Upon closer inspection, the roof had been painted (hail damage likely) and one of two bolts wasn't tightened all the way. Shot some silicone in there an tightened.