I powder coated the Thule 696 and the gas cap cover a color of grey which matched the roof rails and side mirrors. The 696 can be taken apart down to the metal bits; I think it cost me ~$50 with a lot of other stuff I had coated. Given the bugs I collect on the front of the rack, I think powder coating is the way to go on a rack.

Post 15 @: http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=20496