Thule Box refresh ideas

[stefan]

I have a thule box that is showing some age. The clearcoat is peeling and there is a crack a few inches long that has been repaired, but is visible on the surface. (Pushed on lid too hard on a -30 day...). Functionally, there is nothing wrong with it. I was thinking I could maybe colour match it to the car, or do a carbon fiber Di Noc wrap. I'm leaning toward a vinyl wrap as my painting skills are not spectacular.

What is the lifespan of vinyl? I do take the box off when not in use, so it is out of the elements most of the time.

[Lars]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Do a wrap Stefan, they are pretty durable and you can get custom designs .. Talk to joe at http://www.dublu.ca he does awesome work !

[stefan]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Do a wrap Stefan, they are pretty durable and you can get custom designs .. Talk to joe at http://www.dublu.ca he does awesome work !

I will enquire, thanks!

[hooddub]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

If you wanted to do a smooth finish with paint you would have to have primer loaded on pretty heavy and sand it all out. Would look awesome though

[VW337]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

I wrapped mine a couple years ago and it's held up fine so far and I never take the box off.

[gotadub]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Joe did the hood and roof of my car did a great job good vinyl should last 5 plus years. In your situation I would have to guess much longer

[stefan]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

CF Di Noc plus pro install gets close to what I paid for the box. Probably not worth it as a refresh.
I may still look into some more basic vinyl and do it myself though.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Plastidip? It is weather resistant, comes in a bunch of colors, can be painted, can be touched up and is not excessively expensive. And when you are tired of it, easy to remove.

Or use gravel guard for a permanent finish.

[hooddub]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Plastidip? It is weather resistant, comes in a bunch of colors, can be painted, can be touched up and is not excessively expensive. And when you are tired of it, easy to remove.

Or use gravel guard for a permanent finish.

I like the gravel gaurd idea! Wouldn't pop like a colured vinyl or anything but I never thought of that!!

[flipstah]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Do a wrap Stefan, they are pretty durable and you can get custom designs .. Talk to joe at http://www.dublu.ca he does awesome work !

Thanks for this! I'm planning to refresh my Thule box as well to match the car.

[stefan]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

The clearcoat started peeling like crazy while I was camping. Once rain got in behind, it was coming off in sheets. I am taking a new approach as this looks more like a manufacture defect than wear and tear. If I can get Thule to agree, it might be covered. I am not too confident, but Thule saw the pics and told me to take it in to a dealer for a better look. Fingers crossed!

[stefan]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Well, awesome news! Thule is going to honour the warranty after 5 years as they agree it is a manufacture defect and give me a new box (current model too!). I will throw up some pics of how bad it was getting shortly.

Big thanks to Manny at Racks Unlimited South, and to Thule too. I'd defiantly visit him again for future rack needs.

[stefan]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Crazy! That is definitely an issue with the paint.

Great to hear Thule is being awesome about it!

[MechEngg]

Re: Thule Box refresh ideas

Wow that's crazy peeling!!