Hello,

I have a Thule rack for my integra. I noticed that in the past, where the rack touches the area above the door gets slightly damaged. Basically, the rubber on the mounting part rubs against the paint and puts a permanent (?) mark on it. Right now it's gone because that area has been repainted. So now that it's not there, I'm wondering if there's a way to avoid such thing? Or maybe it's actually not a permanent mark, but rather a mark that has to be polished away or something.

So I'm wondering if anyone else has experience with putting on Thule racks on top of your integra.

Any info will be appreciated!
Thank you
Koichi

 

I have the same problem...just bought a $600 yakama rack last year and at all 4 corners the **** FUBAR'd my paint...I am going to put a couple layers of Klasse wax on this year, and hopfuly not have the problem again this year. Any sure fire way of protecting it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I had a Thule rack on my Integra (complete with the short roof adapater....coupe). If you use it often and keep it on there for extended periods of time, there is no way to avoid this. There will be a little area where there are tiny little scratches.

My friend who has a Volvo put little pieces of fabric between the paint and the "rubber foot." Doesn't look good, but it seemed to work. However, he took it off every time he didn't use it. If he kept it on all the time, there would still be no away to avoid scratches.

I kept mine on all the time, the scratches were VERY small and localized. You don't really notice that area of the car much anyway. The best thing you can do is to wax the car there, and make sure you wipe the foot area clean of any debris first.

Other than that, there's nothing you can do, short of taking it off every time you're done using it. Which might cause scratches as well if you do it too often.

 

DAM!! I was hoping for a solution...maybe the fabric idea will work...but it seems that it would just soak up dirt and grime defeating the pupose. I ski/snowboard most everyday during the season, so I can not continuosly be taking it on and off. grr...

 

Does anyone have a good rack solution in general? Is there a rack set that will not leave any marking on the car that anyone know of?

Thanks!
Koichi