The cross bars on my roof rack have virtually no tape left on them. I don't know if it was the weather or what because I hardly use them. Can I buy that black sandpaper-like covering myself or is this going to require another visit to the dealer?

 

I have the same problem on mine.

Suspect exposure to sun and ultraviolet rays don't help either..

I am going to purchase a small can of rust inhibiting paint and paint the roof rack and a can of high temperature black spray to do the rear of the muffler which is also loosing its black.

 

Unless you want to pay over a hundred for a new single rack (Lexus doesn't just sell the metal cross bar, it's a unit with the ends), then just chip off a piece of the enamel, run to a PepBoys or something, and get the paint closest to the color (remember paint drys darker).

This is what I did with my '99 RX and it has worked fine. Just remember, get matt finish, not gloss.

Good luck.