What kind of coating is on the genuine Defender roof racks

I've recently bought one for mine and it's got the usual cracking around the emblem and anchor points but my question is what are they coated with ?. Is it best to get it powder coated or get it redone in the original coating.

Thanks

I would assume its powder coated. Most things are these days.

mick the builder said:

I would assume its powder coated. Most things are these days.

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It seems it's got some type of plastic coating and with age it's cracked then waters got in and began pushing it out.

Powder coat is horrible stuff, chips real easy and lifts, lets water underneath etc..

I much prefer a good paint myself.

I really dont see why anyone would powder coat anything, its a crap coating, we all know it, we have all seen it peeling and allowing rusting to get underneath it, why would you even think about using it?

nobber said:

I really dont see why anyone would powder coat anything, its a crap coating, we all know it, we have all seen it peeling and allowing rusting to get underneath it, why would you even think about using it?

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As my question states I'm asking what the original coating is.

And my answer was powder coated. You have described what typically happens to anything powder coated. Rub down ,prime and paint.

It's not powder coated, it's a plastic kind of coating.

kennyb87 said:

It's not powder coated, it's a plastic kind of coating.

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THAT IS WHAT POWDER COAT IS

kenny, chances are it's powder coated + there's powder coating, and then there's good quality powder coating that does not crack/fail. most massed produced powder coated products are low cost coated and fail which is why most folk stay clear. powder coating is not ideal for components that are under constant flex as this is where the coating fails.

if you're looking for a better than new finish that will last, use Eastwoods Under Hood Black, it's very effective. get your rack media blasted then use a zinc acid etch primer, then a std good quality primer followed by two coats of UHB. UHB gives the correct mid sheen satin black and is UV stable

https://www.frost.co.uk/eastwood-under-hood-bonnet-black-paint-aerosol/

If it is powder coating it's not normal powder coat.
I took mine to my local powder coating firm to be redone as it's exactly like you describe.

They tried blasting it off and cant, they said it's not powder coat it's some sort of plastic. After calling and approaching other firms they have told me it's a plastic and the only way they know to remove it is to burn it off.
So my plan it to open up a few of the cracks while the weather is bad and break off and peak off as much as I can before getting it powder coated. Then if that looks rough in a few years, take it to the galv place

If you can split it with a knife and peel off, all the better. I wouldn't burn it off. It will be very messy with burnt on residue plus a chance of warping.

gazman said:

If it is powder coating it's not normal powder coat.
I took mine to my local powder coating firm to be redone as it's exactly like you describe.

They tried blasting it off and cant, they said it's not powder coat it's some sort of plastic. After calling and approaching other firms they have told me it's a plastic and the only way they know to remove it is to burn it off.
So my plan it to open up a few of the cracks while the weather is bad and break off and peak off as much as I can before getting it powder coated. Then if that looks rough in a few years, take it to the galv place

Click to expand...

gazman said:

If it is powder coating it's not normal powder coat.
I took mine to my local powder coating firm to be redone as it's exactly like you describe.

They tried blasting it off and cant, they said it's not powder coat it's some sort of plastic. After calling and approaching other firms they have told me it's a plastic and the only way they know to remove it is to burn it off.
So my plan it to open up a few of the cracks while the weather is bad and break off and peak off as much as I can before getting it powder coated. Then if that looks rough in a few years, take it to the galv place

Click to expand...

I'm actually having a fairly annoying time finding a place that has a big enough oven to powder coat it that's within a reasonable distance. One guy said he wouldn't touch it because of that coating as it takes too long for him to get it all peeled off/burnt

Edit... I see I double posted oops

Hi,
What did you come up with on the roof rack coating project?

I ended up leaving it for the time being but if it gets any more scabby looking I'll have to get it coated somewhere.