Roof rack screws work as a plug?

[NickSantagataa]

I'm going to be taking off my racks because they are so faded but I really don't think plasti dip is a good solution so I'm going to take them off, but there will be holes in the roof so has anyone just left the screws in the roof as a plug or did you use something like a rivet to plug up the screw hole and if anyone has pictures of their ex without the racks I'd love to see it.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

depending on where the holes are and if visible you could find a vinyl that matches the color closely and put a large enough piece over the hole.... the stuff I use to wrap interior parts is pretty thick and sticks really well and sun has not ever degraded it to fail... just a 2 cent idea that might do the trick

 

[NickSantagataa]

I have the white one and I need to get the drivers side fender repainted so I may ask my painter to spray the screws

 

[pzy3339]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/36758512?...74484752&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=81466507712&veh=sem

There is stuff like this ^^ that is good for putting the color back into plastic parts like bumpers or mirrors etc.

I hit my plastic trim pieces with tire shine when I wash my explorer and they shine up like new.

I am assuming you are talking about the black plastic pieces not the crossbars. Some good paint would take care of the crossbars.

 

[NickSantagataa]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/36758512?...74484752&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=81466507712&veh=sem

There is stuff like this ^^ that is good for putting the color back into plastic parts like bumpers or mirrors etc.

I hit my plastic trim pieces with tire shine when I wash my explorer and they shine up like new.

I am assuming you are talking about the black plastic pieces not the crossbars. Some good paint would take care of the crossbars.

I took off the center pieces for an experiment to see if mpgs improve or not and so far it seems to be helping by. 4 to the gallon I usually get 15.7 now I'm getting 16.1 so yeah. And I was thinking about wet sanding then using polishing compound, but not sure because I haven't heard of anyone doing this. And also would you happen to know what the piece is called that is right under your windshield wipers that covers the motors because I need to get a new one because it's so faded I know nothing will work on it.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Have you tried the detailing product called " wipe new"? That stuff works wonders on discolored plastics. As far as the mounting locations for the roof rack, I tightened the hex bolts back into them and painted them with touch up paint and no leaks at all.
I don't know about you, but with the roof rack completely gone I don't get as much side draft from semi's anymore and cross winds don't upset the vehicle as much anymore. I personally like the vehicle much better without the roof rack, a much smoother/cleaner roofline profile in my mind.

 

[NickSantagataa]

Have you tried the detailing product called " wipe new"? That stuff works wonders on discolored plastics. As far as the mounting locations for the roof rack, I tightened the hex bolts back into them and painted them with touch up paint and no leaks at all.
I don't know about you, but with the roof rack completely gone I don't get as much side draft from semi's anymore and cross winds don't upset the vehicle as much anymore.

To be honest with you I never feel the pull from semi trucks and my ex is on normal sized at tires and isn't lifted or anything. And idk I hate all those plastic restore things their mostly **** and last until it gets wet and in Florida there is evening thunderstorms everyday

 

[Flag Gibby]

I get a lot of strong cross winds up here and I notice how the vehicle gets pushed/pulled around with the stiffer sidewalls on the ATR's that I run, but not so much with the roof rack completely removed.

I understand, after reading into some of the comments on the product it seems that it tends to discolor after about 6 months and then you cannot strip it off of the plastic without sanding with a 3000 grit sandpaper.
I have used armour all outlast on the plastics and it improved the overall condition/look of the plastics, but you have to reapply after about a month (in my case it is the high UV exposure that does the plastics in the fastest). However, it doesn't have the unintended discoloring effect of other products.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

I took off the center pieces for an experiment to see if mpgs improve or not and so far it seems to be helping by. 4 to the gallon I usually get 15.7 now I'm getting 16.1 so yeah. And I was thinking about wet sanding then using polishing compound, but not sure because I haven't heard of anyone doing this. And also would you happen to know what the piece is called that is right under your windshield wipers that covers the motors because I need to get a new one because it's so faded I know nothing will work on it.

Its usually called the wiper cowl, hood cowl or windshield cowl... But its always called a cowl... Hence a hood with a raised scoop in that location is called a cowl induction hood... Mine has a crack on the drivers side and sometimes snow or rain blows in with a fine mist dont know if this would solve the problem or something under it is leaking also

 

[Explorer0693]

Repaint the rack bars, use bedliner paint

 

[NickSantagataa]

Thank you guys for all the suggestions I'm going to use 3000 sand paper on it then bed liner paint and I may try a coat of clear just for the hell of it. And I'll be buy a new cowl and get rid of this dingy Faded look

 

[MotorCityFats13]

I use black gloss shoe polish on all my black parts and it lasts a very long time between washes comes in a sponge applicator just like the stuff in the other post... I wouldnt sand it if you are going to paint... Just prep it with some acetone but first try it on a hidden area.... also.. these kinds of projects is why Plasti Dip was created

 

[pzy3339]

Tire shine on the windshield cowl too. I put it on everything that's black plastic. The top of the running boards, mirrors, plastic on the rear bumper etc etc. I have used armorall in a pinch, which also works just fine but doesn't last as long.

I also use black dyed wax on my all black limited and it looks like brand new. Just use products that put the color back in every time you detail it and it will always look like new.

2 cents on the rail painting.....semi gloss black will look pretty original. Bed liner is thick and will be textured. Paint a piece of wood or something with it first. All depends on your desired appearance.

Don't put clear coat over bed liner. That's going to be like glazing a pot.

 

[NickSantagataa]

Tire shine on the windshield cowl too. I put it on everything that's black plastic. The top of the running boards, mirrors, plastic on the rear bumper etc etc. I have used armorall in a pinch, which also works just fine but doesn't last as long.

I also use black dyed wax on my all black limited and it looks like brand new. Just use products that put the color back in every time you detail it and it will always look like new.

2 cents on the rail painting.....semi gloss black will look pretty original. Bed liner is thick and will be textured. Paint a piece of wood or something with it first. All depends on your desired appearance.

Don't put clear coat over bed liner. That's going to be like glazing a pot.

Lmao I just looked at a vid of someone doing it and they look pretty nice tbh.