Roof rails are peeling... What is the best way to fix them?
02-28-2014, 12:49 PM
#1
Roof rails are peeling... What is the best way to fix them?
The "clear coat" on the black plastic roof rails is peeling bad. I was thinking of masking, sanding and spray painting them. Is there a better solution?
BTW. I read somewhere that this "clear coat film" is actually a plastic protector that the dealer did not remove when new and that with the effects of time and the elements, has baked into the rails. Could this be true?
BTW. I read somewhere that this "clear coat film" is actually a plastic protector that the dealer did not remove when new and that with the effects of time and the elements, has baked into the rails. Could this be true?
02-28-2014, 03:48 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
I painted mine myself, they were starting to peel. They are removed very easily. Just start from the very front and pull up with your hands and fingers with a firm grip and firm force, and they will unsnap at each point as you work your way back.
Last edited by xXHotelCrazyXx; 02-28-2014 at 10:22 PM.
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03-02-2014, 09:12 AM
#9
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2009 Mercedes C350
For what it's worth, I removed mine and painted them as well, and though it looks better, I'm not really pleased with the results.
I took the time to sand them, clean them, prime them, base coat and clear coat them, and you can still see marks through the paint from where the clear coat was still left and where it was peeled off from the elements. Perhaps if I did a better job sanding it wouldn't be noticeable.
From a few feet away it looks fine, and unless the sun is shining on them you will never notice, but up close, they don't look so hot
03-02-2014, 09:52 AM
#10
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The clear layer isn't like a painted clearcoat- it is like a thin layer of clear vinyl. It will start to peal off. On my 2008- I had it replaced about a year in and then it happened again towards the end. The dealership tried to charge me the second time and I reminded them this was an ongoing issue. They admitted they saw this often and replaced them at no charge.
03-03-2014, 09:50 AM
#11
I have to fix it -- its ugly.
It looks to be about $300 for new ones for both sides. But it appears to be worth trying to repair it first, either with paint or Plastidip -- perhaps even a wrap. I'll try to document the fix. Knowing me, it'll probably be both. I'll repair it first, then after feeling unsatisfied for a week, I'll get new parts.
It looks to be about $300 for new ones for both sides. But it appears to be worth trying to repair it first, either with paint or Plastidip -- perhaps even a wrap. I'll try to document the fix. Knowing me, it'll probably be both. I'll repair it first, then after feeling unsatisfied for a week, I'll get new parts.
03-03-2014, 10:41 AM
#12
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2009 Mercedes C350
I have to fix it -- its ugly.
It looks to be about $300 for new ones for both sides. But it appears to be worth trying to repair it first, either with paint or Plastidip -- perhaps even a wrap. I'll try to document the fix. Knowing me, it'll probably be both. I'll repair it first, then after feeling unsatisfied for a week, I'll get new parts.
It looks to be about $300 for new ones for both sides. But it appears to be worth trying to repair it first, either with paint or Plastidip -- perhaps even a wrap. I'll try to document the fix. Knowing me, it'll probably be both. I'll repair it first, then after feeling unsatisfied for a week, I'll get new parts.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-10-FEET-CARBON-FIBER-STRIP-BLACK-VINYL-WRAP-GRADE-BUBBLE-FREE-3D/131131263840?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D5226873720068161371%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D161239569729%26
Not sure how you feel about the fake Carbon Fiber look (I personally don't like fake CF) but something similar to what I linked to should work for you. I may try it myself if I can find some regular flat black in that size for cheap.
EDIT:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Sign-Vinyl-12-x-10-feet-/130508730611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e62ed30f3
This is what I would buy, and it's only $14.00. Not sure how well it would adhere, look and hold up. Maybe someone else can chime in on that?
Last edited by ||||||||||; 03-03-2014 at 10:45 AM.
03-03-2014, 10:57 AM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
If it wasn't covered by warranty- I would do the vinyl wrap like recommended by ||||||||||||. Follow the instructions for removal and wrap them. You might still be able to see remnants of the sections that have peeled, but it should not be that noticeable.
03-03-2014, 11:17 AM
#14
Super Moderator
Are these South African built cars that are suffering this problem? I'm interested as we do so much harsh UV testing here.
03-03-2014, 11:32 AM
#15
Nope -- its a Bremen car. Strange since everything else is holding up perfectly. But I'm in central Florida, US and the sun is pretty intense here.
It started as bubbling around the roof rack attachment points, and I thought perhaps it was caused by the feet on my Thule rack, but now the back end of the strip is peeling exactly like the protective covering on a piece if silver or an electronic screen. At first I thought, silly me, I just forgot to peel this off. Its clearly a clear covering of some sort.
It started as bubbling around the roof rack attachment points, and I thought perhaps it was caused by the feet on my Thule rack, but now the back end of the strip is peeling exactly like the protective covering on a piece if silver or an electronic screen. At first I thought, silly me, I just forgot to peel this off. Its clearly a clear covering of some sort.
Last edited by JWH321; 03-03-2014 at 11:35 AM.
03-03-2014, 11:55 AM
#16
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2009 Mercedes C350
SA built here, and mine were peeling BAD when I got the car. It was mostly a southern Louisiana car it's entire life, so I'm not sure if humidity/heat are a factor.
Unfortunately I am out of warranty, and even if I weren't, I suspect the same thing would happen in a couple years if they were replaced
Unfortunately I am out of warranty, and even if I weren't, I suspect the same thing would happen in a couple years if they were replaced
03-03-2014, 02:34 PM
#17
Super Moderator
If it's happening on all cars it must be an international part from one supplier. We had no trouble on our 2 family W204's. Must keep my eyes open here & see how common it is.
03-03-2014, 06:16 PM
#19
Super Moderator
Wow. Those things on my old W203 that is now with a friend are like new still.
03-03-2014, 06:40 PM
#20
Oh, yes. The same on some of our older cars, too. And on this one, its mostly on one side of the car. There is a bit on the right side, but the large parts are on the left side.
The car looks like its scratched in the photos -- it isn't. That's what rain and tree pollen do down here. The paint remains perfect. This car has endured high altitude -- 14K feet in Colorado, extreme cold -- negative 33 degrees F in Lake Placid, and day after day of extreme heat in Florida and AZ. the only issue is with the roof trim. But I still want to fix it. Almost perfect is imperfect.
The car looks like its scratched in the photos -- it isn't. That's what rain and tree pollen do down here. The paint remains perfect. This car has endured high altitude -- 14K feet in Colorado, extreme cold -- negative 33 degrees F in Lake Placid, and day after day of extreme heat in Florida and AZ. the only issue is with the roof trim. But I still want to fix it. Almost perfect is imperfect.
04-12-2014, 07:27 PM
#23
Mine as well, took it to the dealer and was told that the previous owner probably had a rack on it. So no luck. Went in for a different service and was put in a loaner, same thing on the loaner! Guess who ever had it on loan put a rack on it for a day, right?
04-16-2014, 02:34 PM
#24
Mine is peeling at the rear, well away from the areas touched by a rack -- just above the rear window. I talked briefly with the Service Advisor. He says they have never seen that before. The parts guy tells me that they keep the strips in stock because they are replaced often on Certified Pre-Owned cars before they go to the lot.
Its frustrating to not be able to find an honest man in the car repair business.
I have a set on order. I'll post a short "how-to" if I'm successful in fixing it.
Its frustrating to not be able to find an honest man in the car repair business.
I have a set on order. I'll post a short "how-to" if I'm successful in fixing it.
04-16-2014, 02:54 PM
#25
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2010 C350 Black Sport
THANKS, I POPPED THE 2 RACKS OFF STARTING FROM FRONT TO BACK. AND I BOUGHT SOME PLASTI DIP FROM HOME DEPOT FOR $5 DOLLARS A CAN. SANDED DOWN THE OLD PAINT AND CLEAR COAT AND SPRAYED IT WITH 5 LAYERS OF PLASTI DIP !! LOOKS GREAT. MB SHOULD NOT HAVE PAINTED THESE PARTS AT ALL SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT THE OG BLACK PLASTIC COLOR. P.S. I ALSO PLASTI DIPPED MY FRONT GRILL BLACK BUT LEAVING THE MB LOGO CHROME. I'M SATISFIED WITH THE JOB. NOW I JUST HAVE TO BUY THIS MITIVAC OIL CHANGE PUMP SO I COULD DO MY OWN OIL CHANGES. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND $150 AT THE DEALER FOR A OIL CHANGE THANKS!!
