I have just bought a Magna ES TL Wagon for my new car and I have a question for any other owners out there.

The standard roof racks (that are shown in the below picture) have bubbles showing under the black paint on the sections that connect to the roof. I have shopped around a little and found most Magna ES TL Wagons the same as mine have the same problem.

Is this rust? Should I be worried? Any idea where I may be able to buy some replacements?

http://images.carsales.com.au/dealer/carsales/5751001.jpg

http://images.carsales.com.au/dealer/carsales/5751001.jpg

What month was it first registered in? Cause if it's still under warranty then you can get it replaced.

If not - i would just sand them back and repaint them. Heaps cheaper than new ones.

No, manufacturer warranty has expired.

I do have extended warranty but I don't think it qualifies (I checked before I bought the car but I will check the contract.)

I'm not a big car paint person - but if the issue gets worse I will need to chase this with a repairer.

I think the metal of the roof rack is aluminium, so if the paint continues to bubble and peal, it shouldn't rust.

I may be able to but it on my 'To-Do' pile (Not that I have a pile of things to-do.)



BTW - TL-R - I like your wheels on the car - looks kinda mean.

You're right about the racks being aluminium, so no chance of rust but you can still get surface oxidization which is probably what has happened (or just bubbling paint)

It doesn't have to be car paint. Just remove the racks from the car and get any good quality paint in a can (from bunnings or the like) and spray away.

Thanks for the compliment :)

Its more likely paint bubble if its actually on the roof rack where it connects or is it more on the roof?

If your looking for new ones go to a wreckers, id imagine theyd have genuine ones a whole lot cheaper than mitsu dealers sell them for.

The bubble is on the black part that connects to the roof, its not the actual roof and the section it connects to on the roof is rubber/plastic. They then attach to the metal bar that runs the length of the roof to the other connector onto the roof. All four connectors are bubbled.

I have never seen many of these wagons around, nor at the wreakers so I don't know the chances of finding a roof rack in better condition. I live about 1.5 hours from melboune and I may have to look around there one day but there ain't much in the local area.

I hope melbourne is the opposite.

Don't worry about getting replacements of the corroding roof rack parts, they all do it. As mentioned best bet is to take them off, sand and repaint. Too much stuffing around though for me, i'm just leaving them with the bubbles for the time being...