Should I Remove The Roof Racks

[Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 15:50

I bought a ford hatchback with badly fitted roof racks, or maybe just overused because the car used to be a company car. It's too rusty where it's attached to the car, and I'm just wondering if it is adviseable to just leave it or remove it to avoid further damage on the car. If I don't take it off, can I sandpaper the rusty part and paint with a matching color or just probably just spray it with WD40? The keyholes of the racks are also a bit broken.

I will post some photos once I get a chance. cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • MS Paint on 16/03/2022 - 16:01

    can I sandpaper the rusty part and paint with a matching color

    That's not going to end well.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 16:03

      what would you suggest? basically just trying to prevent rust spreading to the roof, right now it's just on the racks

      • MS Paint on 16/03/2022 - 16:09
        +3

        I bought a ford hatchback

        I suggest if it's an LWII PowerShift Ford Focus that you just sell it.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 16:15

          why is that? no solution? how about rust converter? I think I'll just sand it a bit, then WD40 it from time to time, will buy touch up paint online, cost around $20.

          • MS Paint on 16/03/2022 - 16:32
            +7

            @[Deactivated]: Because there are two types of LWII PowerShift Ford Focus petrol cars.

            Those that's have died.
            Those that are going to die.

            Might have been better off buying that mechanics car to be honest.

            I'll wait for the photos before I offer a solution.

            • Hithere on 16/03/2022 - 16:47

              @MS Paint: Definitely waiting for photos, never seen a rusty Ford before /s

              • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 17:04
                +1

                @Hithere: basically I bought the car at night and didn't see this , even with a torch I didn't check this, so again, it's a learning experience never to buy or test drive a car at night. Overall the car is in very good running condition, the interior is clean as well, runs smooth in the motorway. it's just this cosmetically fitted option that's the problem.

            • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 17:31
              +1

              @MS Paint: thinking about it, yeah. I'm going to kick myself to no end if this ford fails in a year or 2. I prefer Nissan over Ford but time isn't on my side. I should have gambled on the Dualis, looking back.

              • brendanm on 16/03/2022 - 18:16
                +3

                @[Deactivated]:

                I should have gambled on the Dualis, looking back.

                Dualis with CVT issues, or focus with powershift issues. Difficult choice.

              • brad1-8tsi on 16/03/2022 - 18:23

                @[Deactivated]: A year sounds optimistic

                • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 18:24

                  @brad1-8tsi: lol, mate, you're scaring me. this is $9.5k of hard-earned money we're talking about, it's a 2015 model, so it should last a bit longer (i hope…)

          • Drakesy on 16/03/2022 - 17:57

            @[Deactivated]: I had an issue with rust from my roof racks.
            Sanded it back and realised the holes in my roof were pretty terminal.
            Patched it up with this, some metal epoxy and gave it a rough spray (the car was worth $1500) used it for 2 years more before realising the holes had grown significantly and it was pretty much game over for the roof.

            You can DIY it if you're hoping to only keep the car for a couple of years.

            Any more and i'd be looking at a new roof.

            • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 18:18

              @Drakesy: I had exactly the same experience with my 96 CRV, after a week of getting it, I noticed a single bubble on driver side roof, removed it by screwdriver thinking it's only the paint, one hand on my touch up paint. Turned out to be terminal, the more I removed, the bigger it got, I stopped when it was already 2 inches in diameter, and there's more but I didn't know how to fix it, so brought it to a panel beater and cost me $550, the darn fella burned the front seat with the welder as well luckily not too much as car cover was a bit thick but sparks went through, he only replaced the car cover.
              After a year, rust on that same welded spot came back, so I googled and found a cheap solution, same as yours! METAL EPOXY. But not after patching it up with an empty coke can, used the epoxy to basically stick it and cover, sanded it all day by hand (didn't have a hand tool handy), then bought almost similar color but generic spray paint from SuperCheap, sold the car afte 2 years.

              And yes, planning to replace this ford in 2 or 3 years.

  • SF3 on 16/03/2022 - 16:15
    +5

    I bought a ford

    Came here thinking it's a Rav4

  • cashless on 16/03/2022 - 16:38
    +2

    Should I Remove The Roof Racks?

    Only if you are intending to carry your kayak into an underground car park

  • grang on 16/03/2022 - 16:49
    +1

    Roof racks adds quite a bit of air resistance (especially the tall ones) — so you may want to take them off to save fuel…. especially at $2+ a litre!

    Its not the size, its how the roof racks changes the aerodynamic profile of the whole vehicle.

  • MS Paint on 16/03/2022 - 17:01

    I saw the pictures before you removed them.

    Just remove the roof racks and everything will be fine.

    I was under the impression the car duco was stuffed.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 17:06

      the one that's touching the door is starting to rust as well. so if I remove it, will that leave any damage on the roof? how is it attached to the roof properly without some kind of screw? will that leave any holes that I need to patch up?

      • MS Paint on 16/03/2022 - 17:16

        Shouldn't leave any damage. Maybe some surface marring and colour fade.

        There will be no holes in your roof.

        Upload the pictures again for disassembly instructions.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 17:18

          ok thanks, just researched this video while chatting, something very similar to this, so thanks for confirming there will be no holes. I thought it's something that you screw with a bolt to make it secured.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo6rEVzkBd4

        • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 17:20

          can I message you privately to get more info for disassembly? cheers

          • MS Paint on 16/03/2022 - 18:00

            @[Deactivated]: If you want but it's probably more difficult to describe in words.

            Watch this video paying particular attention to the end of the video when the strap is mounted. It is simply the reverse of that procedure.

            • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 18:04

              @MS Paint: you're amazing mate, it's actually the same brand, ROLA! :) darn, this looks like a challenge for me, broken key and all.

  • Euphemistic on 16/03/2022 - 17:45

    Take em off. Even if you plan to use them occasionally you can always put them back on.

    My roof racks get used 3-4 times per year and only take 5min to install and remove.

    WD40 will do nothing to prevent rust on a car body. If you rub it back, you’ll need to paint.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 18:02

      got it, thanks, yeah, there are some rust on the edge of the door where it meets the rack. The keyholes are broken, I have the key but only works for one hole, so that could be a challenge. I hope WD40 could loosen up what's preventing the key from turning. I will try and remove them asap.

      • iamherenow on 16/03/2022 - 22:13

        I have these Rola racks. They can be tricky to unlock. Yours may not be damaged. I remember mine wouldn't turn last time I used them (they are like new), but eventually figured one out and the rest opened same way. Can't remember what the trick was… Try pushing, pulling etc from various directions whilst turning key.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2022 - 17:17

          I tried just now, just can't twist the darn thing I almost broke the only key. Based on that Rola video the placement should be centered on the car, mine is not even that, it was just placed however they wanted it without center of gravity I believe, or how ROLA suggested it.

  • Hithere on 16/03/2022 - 18:27

    WD40 could loosen up what's preventing the key from turning

    I recommend that you use a Silicon or a Graphite based product, not WD40 on key holes.

    WD40 is an oil based lubricant and collects dust and dirt which will build up and will cause issues eventually.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2022 - 18:45

      cheers, will find one.

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