blacking out/removing stock roof rack help needed

Cozen89

Cozen89

Member
Hey everyone,

I've seen a few other similar threads, but no answers to my exact questions.

I've been searching for 2010-2013 trail edition roof rails with no such luck, so I'm going to proceed with blacking mine out until I can find a set.

I've ruled out plastidip and vinyl wrap (I've used both methods on other parts of my rig with good success) but I think ratchet straps etc will wear those products our fairly quickly

So I'm debating between black rattle can or black powder coat.

If I go black rattle can, what type of paint do you all suggest? I'd prefer a satin finish. Should I sand/primer/clear coat it?

Another issue I've encountered is removing the stock cross bars. The little knob is so close to the bar that I can't even get a grip on it with my hand. Any tips on loosening these knobs? Seems like a design flaw unless I'm missing something obvious.

Lastly, if I completely unmount the rack, should i use silicone or any other products when I reinstall the rack to prevent any leaking that may happen?

Here's a few recent pics of my rig so we have something to look at. Note the eye sore that is the silver roof rack rails.

<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-qCfwnbg/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-qCfwnbg/0/L/i-qCfwnbg-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://www.dpnimaginations.com/Archives/4runner/n-Lx98kk/i-VXbsSqj/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VXbsSqj/0/L/i-VXbsSqj-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
 
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I have the 5th gen rails

Did you get your rails blacked-out?
I had my 5th gen rails painted black, but I just installed a roof rack, so don't need the OEM rails and willing to sell.
 
if it is just a temp fix until you get what you really want, rattle can them. Id use an etching primer first.

Secondly: You rig is sweet! scrap those running boards
 
Tomasz said:
Did you get your rails blacked-out?
I had my 5th gen rails painted black, but I just installed a roof rack, so don't need the OEM rails and willing to sell.
Click to expand...

No I haven't done it yet. Thanks for the offer but I'm only looking to purchase 2010-2013 black trail edition rails. Otherwise I'll just modify my current ones.

Any particular brand of paint/ etching primer you recommend?
 
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Simpleman74 said:
if it is just a temp fix until you get what you really want, rattle can them. Id use an etching primer first.

Secondly: You rig is sweet! scrap those running boards
Click to expand...

Temporary only if I can find the older trail rails. Not so easy to come by these days tho. So I'm guessing whatever I do will have to last awhile.

Thanks, my sliders are being made right now. I'm playing the shrockworks waiting game.
 
I'll be selling a 10-13 TE rack soon. Just trying to decide on what roof rack I want. Pretty sure K9 is the route I am going
 
Simpleman74 said:
I'll be selling a 10-13 TE rack soon. Just trying to decide on what roof rack I want. Pretty sure K9 is the route I am going
Click to expand...

I've thought about an aftermarket rack too, but I can't find one that I'm in love with that 1) isn't pricey 2) will allow me to clear garages

Anyone with insight on if I remove the rack, do I need to do anything to prevent leaking when I reinstall it?

Did you get my PM [MENTION=139682]Simpleman74[/MENTION] ?
 
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I just removed my rails which will be getting powder coated this week. I had to use vise grips to loosen the tension knobs.
 
shrub1 said:
I just removed my rails which will be getting powder coated this week. I had to use vise grips to loosen the tension knobs.
Click to expand...

Was out of town for a few days. Yeah, the design doesn't make sense to me because the knobs looks designed for a hand to grip it, but you can't even get your hand in there. They should've just used a hex bolt or socket or something....
 
I just did this last weekend. Although my pursuit for perfection had me spend way too much time on this project.

Removing the roof rails is a straightforward process. I used a plastic dash remover (set purchased off amazon for $5) and slowly pried up the outside. You could easily use a screwdriver with the head taped to prevent damage to the car. The stock cross bars were tough to unscrew but eventually got a good enough grip to crack them loose. Slide off the cross bars and unbolted the rack rails.

I started with two cans of Krylon Covermaxx satin black and laid about 4 coats down. For some reason, these coats did not turn out smooth. There were a number of inconsistencies in the finish. Out of frustration, I went out and bought 2 cans of plastidip. I set the rails with the crossbar channel down and plastidipped top, outside, and bottom.

The result was a smooth finish without a worry of ripping off the pastidip on the inside sliding around the crossbars.

At the end of the day, it's easy enough to start over or repaint them in the future.
 
Do you think the spray paint was uneven because you didn't sand it first? Or did you? The silver finish is shiny, so it might need sanded and or primer before hand.

As I stated before, I'd rather not use plastidip on the rack as it will see use and I don't want it to rub off and have to keep doing it again.


elVanPuerno said:
I just did this last weekend. Although my pursuit for perfection had me spend way too much time on this project.

Removing the roof rails is a straightforward process. I used a plastic dash remover (set purchased off amazon for $5) and slowly pried up the outside. You could easily use a screwdriver with the head taped to prevent damage to the car. The stock cross bars were tough to unscrew but eventually got a good enough grip to crack them loose. Slide off the cross bars and unbolted the rack rails.

I started with two cans of Krylon Covermaxx satin black and laid about 4 coats down. For some reason, these coats did not turn out smooth. There were a number of inconsistencies in the finish. Out of frustration, I went out and bought 2 cans of plastidip. I set the rails with the crossbar channel down and plastidipped top, outside, and bottom.

The result was a smooth finish without a worry of ripping off the pastidip on the inside sliding around the crossbars.

At the end of the day, it's easy enough to start over or repaint them in the future.
Click to expand...
 
That's a complete possibility. I took the lazy man's route and thought a one-step "no primer" can would be sufficient. My thought was that if it turned out bad, I could always sand it down a different weekend.
 
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