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blitzkrieg59
Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2001
Posts: 873
Location: Davenport, Iowa
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 Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:42 pm Post subject: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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Picking up my Bus next week with a brand new paint job and I'm putting my VWoA 3/4 rack on top as soon as I can for multiple reasons. I just picked up some plasti-dip to coat the feet and clamps with, but I'm wondering if anybody has any better ideas on how to keep the rack of boogering up my new paint.
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'65 Riviera Camper |
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sled
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 6179
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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use rubber hose over the feet, and plastic dip (thick) the clamps as you mention.
get a few people to help you set the rack on the bus. Pull the feet down into the gutter tight, then tighten the clamp. Don't use the clamp to suck the feet down (if they are held up the roof skin at all). Make sure all the clamps are tight, as the rack will wiggle slightly in the wind, or with a load on it, and scuff the paint over time.
but ultimately they will show signs of wear eventually...
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blitzkrieg59
Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2001
Posts: 873
Location: Davenport, Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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Thanks, Sled!
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SST X, XI, XII
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'65 Riviera Camper |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2332
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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You could also buy some of the 3M clear protective film and lay it in the gutter and under where the clamps attach. The film can be removed and replaced as needed and no damage to your paint, even over time, should occur.
Gordo.
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Retrograde Garage. Vintage Aircooled, and others. |
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Drew Ogden
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Joined: February 19, 2004
Posts: 329
Location: Elbow Cay, Bahamas
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Bulli Klinik
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2005
Posts: 2078
Location: Bulli Klinik, Colorado Springs
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| Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:01 am Post subject: Re: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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I've used plati-dip and it works great. Be sure to apply in thin coats. A heavy coat will shrink and lift. I also use it on my motorcycle brake/clutch levers and other things.
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Bulli Klinik
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hitest
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 10296
Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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| Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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| flemcadiddlehopper wrote: |
You could also buy some of the 3M clear protective film and lay it in the gutter and under where the clamps attach. The film can be removed and replaced as needed and no damage to your paint, even over time, should occur.
Gordo. |
This is the best answer (though coat the rack parts of course). The idea is to have the protection on the surface that's fixed. The rain gutters aren't going anywhere- but the rack is shimmying around ever-so slightly all the time.
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| EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
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j.pickens
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9789
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: How to keep roof rack feet/clamps from scratching new paint? |
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Unfortunately, every repainted bus I've encountered has "weak" paint when compared to original paint. I would expect some damage no matter what you do, though the suggestions above will help to minimize it.
The original factory paint was some tough sh*t!
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