[lal]

 Hi all, I've got a Transit connect van with a full roof rack with roller bar on, but there are patches of rust here & there,
 was wondering if any of you expert DIYers on here, could advise me on best way to treat remove the rust, any advice
 appreciated.

Thanks
Lal

[Don Kee]

If its just surface rust, sand it down to as close to 'proper' metal as you can and the use some Kurust(hammerite) sparingly to get rid of rust...

Once the Kurust has cured, paint over the whole rack with some black metal paint to make it look tidy (if you really wanted to do a job, use a zinc primer, although i think it'd be over kill for a roof rack)


(To be honest, if its an old rack just sand it off or get rid. If its properly rusted then the only way to get rid of the rust is cut it out and it wouldn't be worth it imo, for the sake of another roof rack)

[Spruce]

If its just surface rust, sand it down to as close to 'proper' metal as you can and the use some Kurust(hammerite) sparingly to get rid of rust...

Once the Kurust has cured, paint over the whole rack with some black metal paint to make it look tidy (if you really wanted to do a job, use a zinc primer, although i think it'd be over kill for a roof rack) especially as zinc primer and catalyst cost me £38.00 from an automotive paint supplier 


(To be honest, if its an old rack just sand it off or get rid. If its properly rusted then the only way to get rid of the rust is cut it out and it wouldn't be worth it imo, for the sake if another roof rack)

Hammerite for galvanized garage doors works well on its own. It is available in standard colours including silver.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hammerite-5097050-Direct-Galvanised-Paint/dp/B003IMNRGG

The only problems are that its smooth and it scratches rather easily, so removing and replacing ladders won't do it much good.

You could find some hard material that you could pop rivet to the upper section of each cross member to prevent damage to the paint - say some upvc u shaped plastic moulding.

I did my Relays roof rack because they are about £400 to replace. The van was in the paintshop at the time getting the flaking paint sorted on the roof, so I took the opportunity as I had nothing to do and the weather was good. TBH it wasn't worth it.  Don's right, again. 

[lal]

     Thankyou both Don & Spruce for your advice appreciated.

     Regards
     Lal

[Don Kee]

I'm going to frame that last sentence Spruce, and show the mrs...
(She'd tend to disagree with you!)
 

[Spruce]

I'm going to frame that last sentence Spruce, and show the mrs...
(She'd tend to disagree with you!)