Roof Rack Sealant? Need Advice

[DreamsOfDirt]

I need input on whether sealant is necessary when re-attaching factory rails.

I pulled my rails off to have them powder coated. As I was about to put them back on I noticed the rubber/foam pads on the rails were worn/incomplete (see pics below). I'm wondering if I should:

• leave it alone and assume whats there will do the job.
• seal with some silicone (e.g. DAP marine grade mentioned elsewhere on the forum)
• seal with an adhesive (e.g. E6000 mentioned elsewhere on the forum)
• seal with a thin rubber seal (another thread mentioned that Gobi provides these with their rack).
• some combination of the above

I'm hoping to put the rails back on this weekend but will be pulling them off in a few weeks when my Rago crossbars arrive. I mention this as I'm not sure if the short term/long term solution are the same.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

 

[JSparky]

What’s your weather forecast like?

I ask cause I installed and uninstalled several racks in a short period of time and used silicone because it was over winter. If I did it again I’d use rubber until I had a permanent setup, then use silicone, especially if there was no rain in the future. The silicone pulled some paint off and I had to spend time cleaning the roof of it and touching the areas up, big pain in the rear.

 

[DreamsOfDirt]

What’s your weather forecast like?



I ask cause I installed and uninstalled several racks in a short period of time and used silicone because it was over winter. If I did it again I’d use rubber until I had a permanent setup, then use silicone, especially if there was no rain in the future. The silicone pulled some paint off and I had to spend time cleaning the roof of it and touching the areas up, big pain in the rear.

Interesting to hear about the silicone.
Weather here will likely be 85-95, with some rain, I’m sure, but not likely days of rain. Your experience makes me lean rubber seal until I get the cross bars.


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[wsgoat]

I used this when I re-installed my roof rails after powder coat.

 

[tb-av]

I used this when I re-installed my roof rails after powder coat.

That's good stuff.

 

[CollinJ]

I used black RTV 100% silicone when I reinstalled mine, no water issues at all. The rubber on the bottom would probably be fine but you can see where the factory had some form of sealant on there as well which is why I cleaned that and put some back.

I’ve never personally heard or seen silicone pulling off paint unless it was already chipped? Not saying I don’t believe the individual who said it happened to them just seems weird.

 

[Swarty]

Definitely

I need input on whether sealant is necessary when re-attaching factory rails.

I pulled my rails off to have them powder coated. As I was about to put them back on I noticed the rubber/foam pads on the rails were worn/incomplete (see pics below). I'm wondering if I should:

• leave it alone and assume whats there will do the job.
• seal with some silicone (e.g. DAP marine grade mentioned elsewhere on the forum)
• seal with an adhesive (e.g. E6000 mentioned elsewhere on the forum)
• seal with a thin rubber seal (another thread mentioned that Gobi provides these with their rack).
• some combination of the above

I'm hoping to put the rails back on this weekend but will be pulling them off in a few weeks when my Rago crossbars arrive. I mention this as I'm not sure if the short term/long term solution are the same.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Use RTV, silicone based or not doesn't really matter. I tried to leave it alone the first time and had to go back. It leaks through the threads so Gobi's seal is not sufficient since it doesn't seal the screw threads.

 

[comtn4x4]

Another vote for RTV. That's what I used when installing my ARB rack and no leaks in two years

 

[JSparky]

I used black RTV 100% silicone when I reinstalled mine, no water issues at all. The rubber on the bottom would probably be fine but you can see where the factory had some form of sealant on there as well which is why I cleaned that and put some back.

I’ve never personally heard or seen silicone pulling off paint unless it was already chipped? Not saying I don’t believe the individual who said it happened to them just seems weird.

It was weird I agree, but it definitely happened. Occured when pulling up the metal spacer plates that are used on aftermarket racks. Unfortunately no photos. When I uninstall the factory rack again I can take some.

 

[tb-av]

It was weird I agree, but it definitely happened. Occured when pulling up the metal spacer plates that are used on aftermarket racks. Unfortunately no photos. When I uninstall the factory rack again I can take some.

Depending on the silicone it can release acetic acid when it cures. Then you also may have dissimilar metals in contact. That's a good recipe for problems.

Permatex RTV
TYPICAL CURING PERFORMANCE
Permatex

Clear RTV Silicone Adhesive Sealant cures on
exposure to moisture in the air. The product cures tack free in
1 hour and fully cures in 24 hours. Cure times will vary with
temperature, humidity and gap. Note: The curing process can
cause corrosion to some surfaces, for critical applications use
the Ultra Series silicones.

 

[tristero]

I'd use the sikasil vs RTV or other silicone

 

[1000MPH]

I used Marine Goop about 7 years ago and it has not leaked yet.

 

[Fishingkid]

Any pictures of the installed powder coated racks?

 

[wsgoat]

Lot of glare in the pic....cost 50-bucks to have both rails powder coated. I went with a semi gloss to match the factory trim.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

When I removed mine for painting, I used ARP liquid thread sealer on the bolts, nothing more, no leaks and we've had some intense storms here since. I think this is one of those things people tend to over think.

 

[tb-av]

I'd use the sikasil vs RTV or other silicone

It's the same with them. They have neutral cure and acetoxy cure versions.

Most companies make both..... but if you just go to a hardware store, they usually have the general purpose stuff which is more likely to cure and form acetic acid.

I don;t think you can go wrong with the high quality stuff from any manufacturer.

 

[RAD4Runner]

If you're concerned about acetic acid, check out used Dow Corning 995 Silicone. It uses stearic acid for solvent. Stearic acid is supposedly used for rust-proofing.

However, Urethane windshield adhesive (like Sika that Safelit uses) is much more robust than silicone, although messier to work with.

 

[DreamsOfDirt]

Does anyone have experience with this product. I picked it up from O’Reilly. It’s ATV silicone, but marketed as gasket maker/replacement.

It’s the Ultra line from Permatex, which according to the suggestions on other packs, shouldn’t cause paint/finish damage.


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[Rmack]

I would use one of the 3M marine sealants. 5200 is a very durable sealant, very hard to remove after cured. I use it on all of my thru-hull fittings on my boat. 4200 is also very durable, easier to remove.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Marine-Adhesive-Sealant-5200/dp/B01D893GGY

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Marine-Ad...rd_wg=acGNn&psc=1&refRID=0M5WEK6KAD1DMBR6NHFY


The sealant in the picture is a great sealant and should work just fine.

 

[DreamsOfDirt]

I went with the RTV Silicone. Thank you to all for the advice. If I have any issues, I’ll post them here.

Below are som pics of the powder coated rails installed.

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