Decklid Luggage Rack Deck Damage?

[XXX-1.8T]

Hi,

Im thinking of installing a deck lid rack for shows etc.

I dont want to damage the vents on the rear.

To be certain no damage will be made what tips and tricks have people used to stop damage?

Is it certain i will damage the rear vents on my bug?

The rack came with rubber gaskets for the vents will this be enough to stop damage to the vents?

Here's a pic of my bug:

[hitest]

Plan on scratching the inside edges of each part of blue paint with which the rack hardware comes in contact.

Know that if you painstakingly install it with pads under and on each part of hardware that contacts the car you will have a display-only rack. Because...

As soon as you strap your early 50s-era luggage (because people always put case on their car that's much older than the car) you will begin stressing the rack. This likely will deform your intake vents slightly. Rack rubs through your pads and into paint as well.
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[XXX-1.8T]

[HippyTom]

Beautiful car!!!! I think any rack will detract from car. It's clean and very well done.

If racks and accessories are your thing, why not a roof rack?

[XXX-1.8T]

Thank you.

I had a roof rack a few years ago and the legs damaged the top of my doors.

Hence why i decided to go for a deck lid luggage rack

But didnt think of Vent damage

I was think of applying this on the vents to protect it:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3M-Bicycle-Protection-...2270089183

[HippyTom]

I've had roof racks on and off of my 63 for years and never had any damage from them. I took one off today that has been on a few weeks and no damage at all. It's interesting that you did.

The bike film may work. Only one way to find out.

[XXX-1.8T]

[Bryan67]

I can`t stand roofracks, decklid racks, or any other non original VW accessories. But then, I`m a hardcore old school Cal Look guy. But why put a crappy repro rack and a bunch of crap on the rack anyway? They WILL scratch you paint A judged car show judge should knock points off for that kind of stuff anyway.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[XXX-1.8T]

[HippyTom]

[Bryan67]

One more thing to think about. Especially if you have a stock engine. If the engine catches on fire, good luck getting the rack unloaded and off of the car in time.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[HippyTom]

I preface this with I don't have personal experience with one, but have seen decklid opened with a rack. They are hinged to allow opening of the lid. I do not know how they are attached at the bumper bracket for quick release, but I imagine one could make a quick release cotter pin set-up fairly easily if it doesn't come that way. I would think they are designed for accesses to the motor.

This pic shows an open lid with a loaded rack (just one suitcase it appears).

[XXX-1.8T]

[grimrides]

[Bryan67]

Your Dad sounds like my kind of guy. I wish I could have met him.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[HippyTom]

Roof racks are loud as hell going down the road. I like it on my 62, but not my 63. Strange. But when you're going to an all day car show taking your family with a big cooler full of food and drinks, canopy, and 4 chairs, etc it sure comes in handy. And they are easy to change. I've taken a bunch of stuff to a car show on one and then took it off at the show.

Get it and see what you think. If you like it, that's all that matters. I'm interested in seeing a pic of your car with it.

[grimrides]

[panicman]

Well, THAT took a dark turn toward the ‘very strange’.

I wanted to add that my ‘60 wears an original VW roofrack, and I was very nervous about damage, because I had new paint. I used clear plastic tubing on the roof rack’s feet, and for the clamps, I dipped them into plastidip several times to build a thick coat.

Several years later, no damage whatsoever.
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Plate of shrimp

[Sharp64]

[Murt]

Hi Triple X

Have you looked at these type ? Keeps it away from the louvres, and the decklid

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1966 VW Beetle ‘Jules’
1967 Kombi Splitscreen ‘Barney’
2018 VW Caddy Maxi R Line
2017 Golf GTD saloon
2008 VW EOS 2.0 TFSi