'05 RX330 - Roof rack rusting
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
'05 RX330 - Roof rack rusting
Just noticed that the underneath front part of the roof rack on both sides looks sort of like its rusting (though its not rust colour). Anyone else experiencing this?
#2
Paint peeled. Same as mine, but much less. I was surprised at this, too.
I scraped it and painted it with flat black. I can not notice it now.
Maybe part of warranty, check it out with the dealer.
I scraped it and painted it with flat black. I can not notice it now.
Maybe part of warranty, check it out with the dealer.
#4
Intermediate
My brand new RX350 unfortunately is a yard dog and I thought I saw some rust where you describe but it turned out to be a pollen/dirt build up. It cleaned up with a cloth and using my finger tips.
#5
I believe that it is Aluminum Oxidation as Aluminum does not contain iron so it can not rust. I use Meg. #21 Syn. Wax on the entire roof rack. The bottom portion illustrated in your photo is were the water tends to "cling" and thus the oxidation. Just a continuation of Lexus quality decline. Yes, I know they probably do not manufacture the roof rack but procure it from some source, in the end they put their "Lexus" name on it.
#6
Super Moderator
Junxus is right. That's what "rust" looks like on aluminum. Most metals used in cars oxidize in some way, but they're all different colors (aluminum is white, copper is green, brass is black), and only the red type (iron, steel) is actually called rust.
On the upside, aluminum oxidation isn't nearly as nasty as rust is. It rarely penetrates the surface or causes structural damage. It's just not pretty. But you should be able to scrape/sand it off, reseal the surface, and it shouldn't come back.
On the upside, aluminum oxidation isn't nearly as nasty as rust is. It rarely penetrates the surface or causes structural damage. It's just not pretty. But you should be able to scrape/sand it off, reseal the surface, and it shouldn't come back.
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Question regarding Warranty
I know I do have some warranty left (87,000 kms) but didn't realize this would be covered. Before I start messing with removing the cross bars etc. would I be best to take this in? Do you have a extended warranty??
#9
This part is covered only up to 48 months or 50K miles. Repair wil be your cost. As I said, I scraped mine and then painted flat black. Helped.
#10
Wow I am not the only one. Mines are peeling/ bubbling too ... I am still within the 48mths/50kmiles so I better check out with the dealership asap. Thank you.
Last edited by Sunapollo; 05-20-09 at 05:29 PM.
#11
Try it, not guaranteed though, but most likely they will replace. Then again, it is a non functional defect. Good luck anyway.
#12
Mine was chipped like 2 inches square, on 2 areas, it was not a big deal. Scraped it and painted with the black oven paint. Now it is not even noticeable.
#14
Would have been if yours was less then 48 months and less than 50K. If not, it is not covered. CPO does not cover such issues. They are cosmetic and not functional defect.
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
If the car is still under the original warranty period, it should be covered. I bought mine used from a Lexus dealership with the CPO warranty, and the replacement of the roof rack was covered because it was still within the original warranty period. Shouldn't make a difference that I am in Canada.