24 replies to this topic

[Switch]

My paint is peeling off of my rain rails? Anyone else have this happen? What did you do to repair this problem? New rails? How do you move the rails?

[TorqueSteer]

Are you talking about the black strips on the roof and windsheild?

[theunderlord]

Are you talking about the black strips on the roof and windsheild?

yeah, he's gotta be..

someone once said "use some black electrical tape"

[Figawi]

paint works better than tape

[VolvoT5]

My paint is peeling off of my rain rails?  Anyone else have this happen?  What did you do to repair this problem?  New rails?  How do you move the rails?

I didn't realise they were painted? I thought they were just rubber strips (are we talkin bout the same thing?)

I went over mine with two layers of liquid shoe polish - came up nearly black and is still on there, 4 months later with a wash every week

[jross]

I had to repaint mine... not a huge deal, but takes time to do it right (guess who rushed it? )

[Switch]

Yes, I'm talking about the black rain rails. My car was outside for most of the winter because of my galant being in pieces and the rails are cracking and peeling. I plan to paint them but can you remove them? How?

[VolvoT5]

Yes, I'm talking about the black rain rails.  My car was outside for most of the winter because of my galant being in pieces and the rails are cracking and peeling.  I plan to paint them but can you remove them?  How?

They're held on by little clips about 15cm apart, need to pull up one end (careful not to bend them too much) and then work along unclipping the clips (they're quite tight).

I had to replace my clips as they'd rusted to nothing and the black strip was waving around in the air whilst driving!

[T5BRICK]

the ones on the top of the car look like they should slide back if you remove the plastic stop above the hatch.

the look like metal strips with a rubberized coating to me. i planned taking mine off and putting some of the "roof rails" on the top of my car eventually, but i haven't got around to it so far.

[T5BRICK]

Yes, I'm talking about the black rain rails.  My car was outside for most of the winter because of my galant being in pieces and the rails are cracking and peeling.  I plan to paint them but can you remove them?  How?

They're held on by little clips about 15cm apart, need to pull up one end (careful not to bend them too much) and then work along unclipping the clips (they're quite tight).

I had to replace my clips as they'd rusted to nothing and the black strip was waving around in the air whilst driving!

oh! looks like someone who actually knows how to do it.

dis-regard my last post. my bad.

[Switch]

[/quote]

They're held on by little clips about 15cm apart, need to pull up one end (careful not to bend them too much) and then work along unclipping the clips (they're quite tight).

I had to replace my clips as they'd rusted to nothing and the black strip was waving around in the air whilst driving!

[/quote]

Did you replace them with new volvo rails? How much?
Is there a good place to buy the roof rack rails? Just tryig to plan ahead. Thanks

[Mesoam]

some one had mentioned polishing them...yet to see it

[VolvoT5]

some one had mentioned polishing them...yet to see it

I polished mine with liquid shoe polish, I also did my bumpers and door handles. Worked great!

[Mesoam]

by polishing i mean stripping the paint and going to town w/ polishing compound

[VolvoT5]

Did you replace them with new volvo rails?  How much?
Is there a good place to buy the roof rack rails?  Just tryig to plan ahead.  Thanks

I've only got the strips on my 855, but I do want to get the rails.. in the UK, a set of used 855 rails go for about $200-250USD.

You can replace the clips seperately as they do rust away over time (possibly not in the hotter states? They certainly do in Europe...!) You can buy the clips from Volvo for not a lot of $ They're on VADIS as "retainers" part V09178792.

[VolvoT5]

by polishing i mean stripping the paint and going to town w/ polishing compound

Wow. I've never heard of the paint cracking on the strips though - certainly haven't had that problem on any of our 850's!

[burchs1]

Hi,

This is a very common problem the roof strips are aluminum with a dark gray plastic covering which is glued to the aluminum...over time the sun can damage the plastic and cause it to peel off. The best option for repairing is to pull the rails off the car starting at the rear (be careful with the end caps as they are attached to the roof with double sided sticky tape (the end caps can be replaced separately..about $14 dollars for the pair). Once you have the rails off the car get a drill and attach a wire wheel to remove all the plastic coating until you have bare aluminum..this takes a bit of time and can be a pain. Once you have a clean surface...sand and/or polish, prime, and then paint. I found that Rust-Oleum has some flat black textured spray paint that works very well and looks great. Take the time to carefully clean the rails if you decide to paint...it is very easy to mangle the strips.

by polishing i mean stripping the paint and going to town w/ polishing compound

Wow. I've never heard of the paint cracking on the strips though - certainly haven't had that problem on any of our 850's!

[TorqueSteer]

Be careful when removing them to not bend the aluminum. I did this and when I reinstalled it, it was bent looking. I decided to take them off altogether and have been without them for 2 years with no problems, if you dont mind the look you can be without them.

Edited by TorqueSteer, 08 April 2005 - 03:33 AM.

[T5BRICK]

Did you replace them with new volvo rails?  How much?
Is there a good place to buy the roof rack rails?  Just tryig to plan ahead.  Thanks

you could find them at a junkyard. i'm going to go looking for a pair sometime in the near future. otherwise, you may be able to find someone on here parting out their car. i imagine they would be expensive to ship.

[pete0r]

i hate to bump this thread, but can anyone provide photos of how to take them off?

i'm speaking of the 2 black strips that run along the top of the car, they seem like they're held in by 2 things at the beginning and end of the strip.

i'm scared i'll bend them.. do i have to like, bend them almost to get them out of the rear clip?

and you guys are just saying to use something like rustoleum spray paint?

Edited by pete0r, 25 April 2005 - 03:40 AM.