[Number6]

I got a set of the roof racks about a week ago but haven’t put them on yet. I have a red RS with black roof and the racks are a brushed aluminum. I think the aluminum will look really out of place considering there is almost no silver coloring anywhere on the car except for the accents on the wheel rims.

My question is has anyone tried painting the racks and what would be the best most durable paint to use? I think I’d like to paint them a gloss black to match the rest of the roof. A color match of the RS red would also look really nice.

 

[JEdward]

You might just try something like plasti dip? The bars do disassemble quite easily, so it shouldn't be hard to paint just the aluminum rods.

 

[ZR2LIFE]

Spray paint will never be as durable as powder coating or having the aluminum pieces anodized, but you can get good results if the parts are clean and you paint when temps are over 60°. Several light coats with a few minutes dry time in between are better than 1 heavy coat. A clear coat over the base paint will help it last much longer. Krylon and Dupli-Color are the brands I usually use.

 

[Trail Blazed]

I would have to agree that the aluminum color will probably make them look a little out of place on an RS. That is one detail that they have overlooked. Getting them anodized in black would be my choice.

 

[Number6]

Thanks for all the help! I think that powdered coating or anodizing is the best way to go but probably to expensive at this time for me. I have done some research and seen that that there are some paint for aluminum wheels like dupli-coat or plasti-dip as has been suggested with a clear coat might be a good inexpensive alternative.

 

[Trail Blazed]

Please post some before and after results. I believe people would love to see it.