General Roof Rails - Paint Warning (with bars)

[s130]

I think your reasoning is correct. Bit of a shame for users like yourself who need the bars on for extended periods. Is there still a layer that will stop corrosion? If so, and if you are intending having the bars fitted more often than not, the pragmatic solution would be to do nothing until you sell the car. You can then make a judgement as to whether there is enough value left in the car to make a cosmetic repair worthwhile.

Well I only ever carried a single 20kg load for less than 5 miles (garden patio table). Was anticipating getting the canoes out again but it never happened so the bars remained on and unload for a year. Thule did point me at their safety instructions which says the bars should be removed when not in use but in reality for people who canoe, ride bikes, outdoor, etc. roof bars tend to be a permanent fitting and I've never had issues like this before even after years of permanent fitment.

I would think that a long journey with a heavy load then the same would possibly happen depending on terrain, winds, etc.

Thankfully there is some paint/protection below the thin colour top coat so for the moment corrosion is hopefully not an issue. However for how long this will last after the bars have been used several more times I don't know.

If Thule/Fiat can't come up with a solution then probably the next best think I can do is to get the bars thick Chrome Plated. The only issue with this is that the end sections are clip/snap on plastic and whilst plastic can be sort of chromed I doubt there will be a continuity of look and finish along the whole length of the rails.

Interesting little problem.

Of course another solution would be to remove the roof rails completely and get the roof channel inserts. To my knowledge these inserts have to be painted to match your vehicles colour/finish and despite the cost any mismatch in the after production painting will stand out like a sore thumb unless one chooses to go completely different. My 500X is Metallic Bronze so black or silver would be required.

Why Fiat have fitted roof rails that are just cosmetic and not up to their intended purpose I have no idea.

I'm just hoping other 500X owners with roof rails who also use roof racks/bars will have the same issue so we can get something constructive and long term done. Even if Fiat agree to replace my roof rails (£250 ish) then the next time we use roof bars then the same will happen again.

 

[cowabunga]

I think Trevc has good comments and perhaps the solution, why not just wait to remedy when you come to sell...... and in the meantime try and get compo from them to remedy when the time comes.

Seems a funny setup to me, its like looking at the pics and due to the ribbing that maybe 5-10% of the pad's are in contact that there's too much pressure on too smaller area, I can't understand why they'd have a setup like this.

 

[TrevC]

I think the ribbing prevents slippage - you don't want them coming off! Probably best if they weren't body coloured. My 500X doesn't have rails, but my wife's Suzuki does, and they are a sort of stainless finish. Roof bars haven't marked them, albeit they have only been fitted for brief periods.
My suggestion of waiting till it's being sold to fix it may be logical, but I get the feeling that s130 is a bit like me - I like my car to look smart.

 

[s130]

My suggestion of waiting till it's being sold to fix it may be logical, but I get the feeling that s130 is a bit like me - I like my car to look smart.

Well with one 30 year old Fiat, one 12 year old Fiat on the fleet and my pre-500X Croma being just over tens year old (all purchase from new) then new cars / replacements don't come around very often. If my 500X follows the other then we are in for the long haul together

I'll see where I get with Fiat and Thule and take thinks from there.

As for keeping my car looking smart I noticed a small kerbing mark/damage on one of my lovely front 18inch rims. Bummer. Was bound to happen at some point even with rim protector tyres.

 

[s130]

Current Status

Fiat UK Technical have investigated further and have sent me pictures of Fiat's official roof bars accessory and the rubber pads are of full contact, not ribbed design and they have not received any issues being reported to them with the Fiat bars.

Now that I've established that the Thule and Fiat foot pads are of different design I've officially submitted to claim to Thule.

Not sure what happens next but will keep you posted.

I think it will help everybody with a 500X with roof rails and roof bars of any manufacturer (including Fiat) to feedback/contribute so that the more global 500X situation/experience is established and people can buy with confidence.

The plus side is that Fiat UK are now are of potential issues of aftermarket roof bars possibly damaging their roof rails.

 

[cowabunga]

Good to hear your making progress.

Just sounded so obvious to me that the pads should not be ribbed. If they are 5-10% contact vs full contact then that means 10-20 times the load on the ribbed areas vs pads with full contact.

I think your claims valid 100%.

 

[s130]

Good to hear your making progress.

Just sounded so obvious to me that the pads should not be ribbed. If they are 5-10% contact vs full contact then that means 10-20 times the load on the ribbed areas vs pads with full contact.

I think your claims valid 100%.

Well that is what I'm hoping.

Before filing an official claim Thule support did point me a info in the User/Safety Manual that said that the roof bars should be removed when not in use etc. I carried a 20kg load once, was hoping to get back into canoeing and then was hit by re-occurring eye surgery (still on going) after a detached retina.

Needless to say I and many have roof bars fitted almost permanently in the past to no ill effect.

I'm hopeful of a good outcome but if I lose then I'll have lost £210 on Thule roofs bars and £260 replacing the Fiat roof rails. What will **** me off even more the Fiat roof rack/bars cost less than £150. I chose Thule one reputation the abundant carrying options/attachments/etc. coupled with no intention of changing the 500X for another in the long term.

 

[cowabunga]

I don't think you really need to tell them you had them on permanently if you don't want to.

Sounds expensive, and like u say a shame that the Fiat ones were cheaper.

I never came across the Thule name until I got my missus a Iphone 5s case in poundland about a year or so ago, it's good quality, she's still using it.