New BajaRack already showing signs of surface rust!

[psiems]

Hey there,

I decided to go with a roof rack earlier this summer and decided on Baja Rack primarily because I did not want to drill holes in my roof or attach an aftermarket rack to my factory rails.

Recently, I noticed rust showing up around some of the welds. I assume that the zinc primer and/or powder coat did not thoroughly cover these areas. I don't want to send it back because of the hassle it involves. I know that if I leave things the way they are it will only get worse. By the way, I live in Michigan and we use salt on our roads during the winter months. Any painters out there that may have some advice? I was thinking of trying to match the color using touch up paint. What should I do first to prep the surface?

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

Hey there,

By the way, I live in Michigan and we use salt on our roads during the winter months. Any painters out there that may have some advice? I was thinking of trying to match the color using touch up paint. What should I do first to prep the surface?

I'm not a painter, but I would rough up the areas around the rust, spread a little POR-15 around and on the rust then use some touch up paint. While you're at it paint the underside of your car with the POR-15 to prevent future rust. I used it on the underside of my car.

 

[jdkilroy]

If that rack was installed this past summer as you suggest then it hasn't even seen a winter (or salt) yet and I would be putting this question (and others) to Baja Racks for their solution. Having any rust show up on a new rack is unacceptable and I would suggest that the rack should be replaced. I would contact Baja and see what they are willing to do about it.

 

[fourwd1]

.. What should I do first to prep the surface?

If it's light surface rust, treat it with some Permatex or Loctite rust converter.
Then paint it whatever color matches.

 

[helo-mech]

If you want to beat the crap out of it forever and not worry about it, go with the POR-15 and then paint over it. POR-15 is great stuff, done quite a few jobs with it, but it has no UV coating so it will fade if not painted over.

 

[brockeverly]

I have had mine on for about a year or so and always have camping gear loaded up on it. No surface rust anywhere. The POR-15 will definitely do the trick for you though.