03AR2rescu

A new (arctic white I believe) A6 3.2 has entered the family and I was wondering if anyone here has ever had any experience painting the ski/luggage boxes to match your car. We've got a nice Thule that is only a few years old and it'd be nice to get it 'arctic white' as well.

Any ideas...cost, difficulty, downsides?

ShowMeData

With an acid wash or something similar to roughen the surface to promote paint adhesion, though perhaps primer would stick OK as-is. Ask your paint guy if they do anything special to paint unfinished plastic parts that might come with aftermarket body kits.

If you get it done, be sure to give us pics - I'll bet it would look schweeeeet.

ar-Rings

painted. I will contact that engineering department Monday for info. Will list what I can.

rmc00

should be fine if you sand it well and use a flex agent (for plastic parts) in the paint

RMcQ

and heavier.<ul><li><a href="http://www.packasport.com/">http://www.packasport.com/</a</li></ul>

allroad'Ed now

To preface, I did it myself, but I have 2 spray guns, and at the time had a place to paint without upsetting the neighbors.

1) When I sprayed to match my old Tahoe, I added the "flex agent" to the paint. That's the stuff used to paint our impact absorbing urethane bumpers without the paint cracking and flaking.
2) I then added a clear vinyl piece over the leading edges of the box, much like the clear bra many here use on their cars.

All in all, pretty straight forward. But like any paint work, the key is in the prep. Need to make sure that the box is well sanded, well cleaned of any oils and debris, well primed, sanded and cleaned again before applying any paint.

Well worth the work if you use the box a lot. My new Yak is still in it's original naked black, simply because I just don't use it enought to justify the time investment.

downindenver

It can be done. I thought it looked a look odd. Perhaps too much 'look at me' going on there. Just my $0.02.

TomV.

You might give Thule a call. They have an option to paint the new boxes in variety of factory colors

allroadmontana

I liked the color matching but ended up with a sweet thule that opens from either side

RMcQ

Good point. I forgot this is one of the reasons I didn't like them when I was shopping boxes.