Old Library

Dustin

Short answer " scratch free. fat chance."

 For the long answer in my quest for scratch prevention and minimization read
on.

I have used the thule 444 "scratch master" roof rack for two years and no
matter how I try to keep the pads clean and the car waxed there are still
scratches where the pads rest on the car.  I think this is from abrasives
that collect n the road after installing the rack.  Be prepared for some
small scratches where the pads sit.  If you want to stay scratch free don't
use a rack.

I was quite upset by the scratches on my 97 black/black gti vr6 but have
begun to slowly accept that the black paint is going to show more scratches.
Also don't do what I did when I first got mine.  That is dropping the bike
while putting it on the rack(Dent, gouge and one "dumb sh*t" for me, thank
you). The rack works excellent, no problems. It also changes the look of the
car dramatically (ex. chicks dig it).  I have been very pleased with it.

If you are using the faring make sure that the rubber edge rests on the
window glass.  Other wise it will damage the paint from the vibration (damn
more scratches).

You could try using a clear plastic tape that is sold at truck cap places.
The tape is used where the cap door rest's on the tail gate to prevent
scratches. That may work. Or a piece of felt under the pad (pain in the a#$)?

But as I have found those scratches are nothing once you drive for any length
of time.  Car washes, flying debris,  parking lots,  kids on bikes, gravel
trucks, belt buckles, girl friend's purse clasp, and the list does on and
on.  My therapist (not) says that scratches are like death and taxes nobody
likes them but them come calling any way. Drive on into the inevetable.
Embrace the scratch.  Love the scratch. It is price of use. But with care and
caution scratching can be minimised and postponed (also like death and
taxes).

Good luck, I hope you are more successful that I at preventing damage to your
paint.
Let me know about your progress.

Jeff Marotzke
1997 "dented, scratched and still cooler than every one else" GTI VR6


dustin easter wrote:

> Eager to install my Thule 444 roof rack, but first wanted to see if
> anyone has any suggestions for prepping the contact points were the pads
> meet the roof.  Of course I will wax the vehicle and clean the pads
> prior to installation.  It is a 98 black/black VR6 and I would prefer to
> keep it scratch free.



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On Thu, 10 May 2001, Iori, Max wrote:

> Hello all, I have heard to not get the faring with a Thule rack because of
> excess wind noise with the sunroof open.  Has anyone else heard this?  Also,
> how is the Thule rack (with or without the faring) when driving with the
> sunroof open?

Somebody is yankin' your chain. The fairing decreases the wind noise. Roof
racks do generate a bit of wind noise. Without a fairing, you probably
wouldn't be real inclined to open the sunroof on the highway because of
the noise, but with the fairing it's bearable. Just be careful that the
fairing doesn't rest on paint, it can cause wear. Instead rest on the
windshield.

Josh

I did.  I just moved the bar to one side and installed it onto the car then
marked the other side and cut it.  I can measure them tonight.  One thing to
think about though, if you ever want to carry more than 2 bikes it is better
to leave the excess on the sides so you can put the tray's on the outside
and one on the inside.

Gavin
WVUVW
-----Original Message-----
From: Iori, Max [mailto:&#109;iori&#64;internet<img src=/i/dc.gif border=0 width=35 height=15>]
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 5:27 PM
To: List@Gti-Vr6. Net
Subject: [gti-vr6] THULE BARS

Has anyone ever cut their Thule rack load bars down?

I want them flush with the footings, and was curious to know what length
others have cut theirs down to.

Thanks.
Max