roof rack rail cover

[DaveMcKenz]

Well I finished my aluminum flashing rail covers, painted and installed them. I sealed them with black silicone caulk around the edges and mounted with 3M high strength mounting tape. I would grade the project a "B". The sheen level is not perfect and neither is the profile. It took me 2 hours to build/paint and one hour to install. If I spent twice as much time, I could have got it nearly perfect. Maybe someday I'll redo it, but for now it is OK.
Dave

[tom4bren]

pix or it didn't happen.

[DaveMcKenz]

[Daly]

Those look amazing for a first go round. Looks like all you need is right paint finish. Maybe you should offer them for both replacements for original and custom cut for roof rack.

[nfpgasmask]

I have to admit, when you said "make them outta aluminum flashing" I had a thought in my head of this place:

http://thereifixedit.failblog.org/

But wow, that looks really nice!! I take back my thought!

Bart

[DaveMcKenz]

Hi again,
After the paint cured for a day, I dulled it down with some 0000 steel wool. I have the sheen about right at this point. My rails seem to have faded so they are not as black as my rail caps. I may try some Showroom New on them, since I think they are plastic coated. The caps look better now, anyway.
Dave

[VX KAT]

Hi again,
After the paint cured for a day, I dulled it down with some 0000 steel wool. I have the sheen about right at this point. My rails seem to have faded so they are not as black as my rail caps. I may try some Showroom New on them, since I think they are plastic coated. The caps look better now, anyway.
Dave

The roof rails were never a true black, they seem to be various shades of gray to darker gray. (OK, go ahead with the funny comments about the "color or the hood insert" from that thread long ago... )

Also, watch out with the Showroom New dye.....it doesn't seem to absorb the same way on the shiny plastics as it does on the cladding. I think somebody tried it on some of the shiny smooth gray plastic...maybe on a mirror?? Anybody recall?

i used it on my exterior door handle and it worked OK, but that isn't as shiny and smooth as the mirror or the rails.