For those with roof racks
- Thread starter jca21
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joneseyyy
New member
Only way to wax or thoroughly hand wash is to remove the rack. The bajarack is modular so I'll unbolt the top from the "legs" and get to it that way maybe once/year. I actually need to do this anyways to dremel/spray bedliner on parts of the mesh where I've knocked the powdercoat off in the past yr throwing stuff up on the rack.
darkie3495
Moderator
I designed mine to have a removable floor so I could clean the roof if needed. That being said, in 3 years of owning my rack I have only cleaned my roof once when I took the rack off to rewire it.
Antman
Elite Member
I squeeze lots of suds up there when I wash and then I use some spray wax sometimes.
It's a huge pain to wash and dry with the rack on. I usually hit it with the leaf blower for a few minutes after washing to avoid 20 minutes of drying the nooks and crannies. Neighbors always look at me funny though.
It's a huge pain to wash and dry with the rack on. I usually hit it with the leaf blower for a few minutes after washing to avoid 20 minutes of drying the nooks and crannies. Neighbors always look at me funny though.
DEKA3
Registered User, A.K.A. "elias"
They look at you funny for leaf blowing your car dry? What did they do when you "installed" the rear bumper cupholders? Or how about your Christmas lights? Ahhh, to be a fly on the wall in your neighbors house! LOL
Just messin' with ya!
Ducmonsta
New member
my trail gets plenty dirty but that doesn't mean i like to take care of it with a wash and a coat of wax once in a while.
i was thinking about just covering the entire roof in 3m clear film protection if i did throw a rack on top.
I agree. This is the best way to go about it. I actually have a ton of di noc left but got too excited and installed the rack anyway. If it bothers me that much later, I'll just do it then.
jca21
New member
i was also considering matte black dinoc on the roof under a rack.
tlflow
New member
wax on ... wax off
It's not that big a deal, it's a rack, if you need one, get one, if you don't ...
Racks are design to carry stuff, not to facilitate waxing.
You may want to make sure that the film you buy has the equivalent antioxidant performance as the current paint = 10 years. The hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) are very efficient in preventing oxidative degradation of clearcoats. However, they are not suitable for films/wraps, normally a phenolic modified plastisizer is used for UV performance improvement (=3 yr, some yellowing, via bis-quinone typical with phenolic AO). If the film/wrap undergoes any substanial oxidative degradation, if will be localized to the film surfaces. This will be principle point of departure from nominal film properties. This can result in the film bonding to your clearcoat, or compromising your clearcoat if film contains significant surfactant concentrations. The paint, itself, will hold up reasonably well for many years, given simple regular cleaning (carwash).
It's not that big a deal, it's a rack, if you need one, get one, if you don't ...
Racks are design to carry stuff, not to facilitate waxing.
You may want to make sure that the film you buy has the equivalent antioxidant performance as the current paint = 10 years. The hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) are very efficient in preventing oxidative degradation of clearcoats. However, they are not suitable for films/wraps, normally a phenolic modified plastisizer is used for UV performance improvement (=3 yr, some yellowing, via bis-quinone typical with phenolic AO). If the film/wrap undergoes any substanial oxidative degradation, if will be localized to the film surfaces. This will be principle point of departure from nominal film properties. This can result in the film bonding to your clearcoat, or compromising your clearcoat if film contains significant surfactant concentrations. The paint, itself, will hold up reasonably well for many years, given simple regular cleaning (carwash).
Balcs1
New member
Wax the Hell out of the Roof Prior
The Gobi Rack has open space under the crossbars. I also waxed the Hell out of my roof prior to installing the rack because that was a concern I had as well. Also you can get a rag under the entire rack, its tight but you can. I have a drive through pressure washer type car wash, The one that you pull into and the car was unit moves around your rig, no brushes or anything, four pressure washers crossing back and fourth. it hits it with wax and paint protector, It does a great job for the top in between hand washes. Don't sweat it though, the rack is worth it.
:thumb3:
The Gobi Rack has open space under the crossbars. I also waxed the Hell out of my roof prior to installing the rack because that was a concern I had as well. Also you can get a rag under the entire rack, its tight but you can. I have a drive through pressure washer type car wash, The one that you pull into and the car was unit moves around your rig, no brushes or anything, four pressure washers crossing back and fourth. it hits it with wax and paint protector, It does a great job for the top in between hand washes. Don't sweat it though, the rack is worth it.
:thumb3:
1engineer
Moderator
You guys realize that any wax will last at the most around six weeks don't you. That is unless it never rains where you live and you never wash or wipe it. Or after you apply the wax you don't wipe the haze off either. Then you can get it to last much longer! Don't look very good though.
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jca21
New member
i was thinking towel wrapped around a broom handle but flossing doesnt sound like a bad idea either.
harper7
Senior Member
I used the "Toyota Paint Sealant" that the dealers use as I had a free bottle given to me. It's supposed to last a year or so compared to 1-2 months of wax. Washed the top down good with Dawn soap to remove the old wax and sealed it with 2 coats of sealant before I put my rack on.Others make paint sealants too,just google it and see the benefits and cost.
Vinyls are not all created equal as they make different grades of vinyls, like the premium 10-12 year vinyls from Avery.900.....Print Solutions >*10/12 Year Cast Vinyl Avery® 900 Super Cast
Almost all commercial trucks and vehicles you see on the roads use the premium vinyls for their ads and logos.I don't think anybody paints them any more.
I was going to put this Avery camo print on my roof,which is 6-9 year vinyl, but chickened out.
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Vinyls are not all created equal as they make different grades of vinyls, like the premium 10-12 year vinyls from Avery.900.....Print Solutions >*10/12 Year Cast Vinyl Avery® 900 Super Cast
Almost all commercial trucks and vehicles you see on the roads use the premium vinyls for their ads and logos.I don't think anybody paints them any more.
I was going to put this Avery camo print on my roof,which is 6-9 year vinyl, but chickened out.
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Antman
Elite Member
Just wondering...Did you get your hand out from under that rack yet?:sadwave:
tlflow
New member
... after 6 days I cut it off with a rusty toenail clipper and limped back home, they will be making a movie soon.
... I learned to wipe left-handed so life is good again.
jca21
New member
I used the "Toyota Paint Sealant" that the dealers use as I had a free bottle given to me. It's supposed to last a year or so compared to 1-2 months of wax. Washed the top down good with Dawn soap to remove the old wax and sealed it with 2 coats of sealant before I put my rack on.Others make paint sealants too,just google it and see the benefits and cost.
Vinyls are not all created equal as they make different grades of vinyls, like the premium 10-12 year vinyls from Avery.900.....Print Solutions >*10/12 Year Cast Vinyl Avery® 900 Super Cast
Almost all commercial trucks and vehicles you see on the roads use the premium vinyls for their ads and logos.I don't think anybody paints them any more.
I was going to put this Avery camo print on my roof,which is 6-9 year vinyl, but chickened out.
thanks for the info,
the sealant sounds like a good idea.
man, a sweet digicam pattern for the roof and rest of the 4runner would be pretty cool.
