So after getting all the dirt off my car, what did I notice, but a small dent. That and the rubber guards left marks on the trunk, which probably need a good buffing to get out. Looks like I won't be using it anymore either.
Location: Well, I'm not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikep77
So after getting all the dirt off my car, what did I notice, but a small dent. That and the rubber guards left marks on the trunk, which probably need a good buffing to get out. Looks like I won't be using it anymore either.
Bummer!!! If your paint's not dinged at the dimple-you probably can try the canned air and hairdryer trick-I may try it myself and see if it'll pop them out!!
Bummer!!! If your paint's not dinged at the dimple-you probably can try the canned air and hairdryer trick-I may try it myself and see if it'll pop them out!!
I had dents larger than that on my passenger door from a shopping car, Nation Wide paintless dent repair took it out for $50, this was done about a month prior to the Nationals. Took them 45 minutes. I didn't even see where the dent was when they were done.
I haven't put my Kappa rack on yet, but after seeing your awful dents, I looked at the support struts. I'm thinking to make lifters for the struts out of 1" x 3/16" stainless bar. With two holes 1" apart to lift the whole structure up 1" extra. I may have to add bracing or weld spots to stop it from bending. I really need a good rack for weekend trips, unless I can convince Gloria to just bring a few t-shirts (not!).
__________________ John Richards, San Francisco
2007 Deep, 1-10-07, # 1g2mb35b17y119523, A/C, Monsoon sound, O.Z. 35th anniversary wheels, kappasphere rack http://www.putfile.com/midnightbluesoul/images/76944
Location: Well, I'm not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Richards
I haven't put my Kappa rack on yet, but after seeing your awful dents, I looked at the support struts. I'm thinking to make lifters for the struts out of 1" x 3/16" stainless bar. With two holes 1" apart to lift the whole structure up 1" extra. I may have to add bracing or weld spots to stop it from bending. I really need a good rack for weekend trips, unless I can convince Gloria to just bring a few t-shirts (not!).
Hope it works for you-I'm going the hitch and 'Texas Flyswatter' route, with nothing touching the car. The beauty of it, if I want to go to a custom trailer or whatever, at least the hitch is done.
I think all you guys who bought from kappasphere should be holding their feet to the fire. I know i sure would! They brag about standing behind their products ,so lets see......... I would think money back would be in order,now that 3 of these things have caused damage
Location: Well, I'm not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bones
I think all you guys who bought from kappasphere should be holding their feet to the fire. I know i sure would! They brag about standing behind their products ,so lets see......... I would think money back would be in order,now that 3 of these things have caused damage
I know I overloaded it, according to their specs-so to pursue it would be a waste of time. If I were mikep77, I'd definitely repack the bag with exactly the same stuff that was in it for Nashville & weigh it. If it's at 50 lbs or less, I would not hesitate to start talking to Kappasphere &/or Classic Carriers. Obviously not enough testing went into the product-just looking at it, the forward joint and connection to the rack itself should be straight up, not winged out like it is now-so either up to the top forward bar, or the bar spacing needs to change. I'm really glad the rack bars didn't touch down on the humps-that could have done more serious damage, and they got as close as less than 1/2" on several occasions...that I know of.
At any rate, the rack formerly known as Kenny's Rack is already enroute to another forum member.
When i was looking at the nashville pictures i noticed that the rack was really close to the humps. I kinda thought to myself,that thing is really close,and then i saw this thread about the damage done. Well i guess kennys not a virgin anymore...sigh.
Location: Well, I'm not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bones
When i was looking at the nashville pictures i noticed that the rack was really close to the humps. I kinda thought to myself,that thing is really close,and then i saw this thread about the damage done. Well i guess kennys not a virgin anymore...sigh.
Naw, he's got his battle scars, it's a tough world out there for such a little guy. I only wish I could get all the scars off the front fascia-at some point it'd be easier to just have it replaced. To do it over, I'd go clear bra, hands down, plus some in front of the rear wheels.
The front GM mud flaps help greatly to protect the area in front of the rear wheels. That area is in the tire wash of the front wheels. I noticed chips almost immediately after my Sol was new. Put the front flaps on and no more new chips. The rear flap option is less usefull unless you live in a region with snow and salt and slush. I also put a Venture Shield Clear bra on the front...wish I would have done that before I picked it up at the dealer. I also own the luggage rack in question...I mounted it once to check fit but never have loaded it for trip...now I don't trust it..I think I willl call Kappasphere and talk to them about it... has anyone contacted them?
__________________
Mysterious 2007 N/A 2.4. "DarkSol" is the name. Chrome alloys, steel and sand leather interior,
5 spd, ABS, AC.
Mods: vertical billet front grille.
Venture shield clear bra
GM mud flaps (front only)
Carolina Custom leather armrest pads
Real carbon fiber license plate frame
Norm's Fiberglass Split Dual SMOOTH FINISH Rear Facia
GM CAI (Grrrreat!!)
Solo Mach Split Dual Exhaust for N/A with Resonator (Amazing Sound! DarkSol now has DeepSol's voice)
Loving AZ
Last edited by AZDarkSol : 07-13-2007 at 11:59 PM.
Location: Well, I'm not in the middle of nowhere, but I can see it from here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZDarkSol
The front GM mud flaps help greatly to protect the area in front of the rear wheels. That area is in the tire wash of the front wheels. I noticed chips almost immediately after my Sol was new. Put the front flaps on and no more new chips. The rear flap option is less usefull unless you live in a region with snow and salt and slush. I also put a Venture Shield Clear bra on the front...wish I would have done that before I picked it up at the dealer. I also own the luggage rack in question...I mounted it once to check fit but never have loaded it for trip...now I don't trust it..I think I willl call Kappasphere and talk to them about it... has anyone contacted them?
Whether it's important to you or not, the cr@p kicked back from a rear flapless Sol/Sky is damaging any vehicle following you, and most especially your fellow Sol & Sky owners if you go on any runs.
I bought ARs luggage rack from her.....mounted it and used it on the recent TOTD run..northern VA to NC and back..about 1200 miles total...and no problems with it...had a 30X16X14 soft side waterproof duffle on it..along with two folding canvas chairs in bags....
had not problems with dents or the rack flexing.....again....its rated at only 50 lbs.....and my advice is it to not put anything hard sided on the rack...just duffle bags or soft sided luggage....we also opened the clamshell with the rack loaded...and when we closed it..simply held on to the outside arms of the rack and let the weigh of the shell close it on its own speed.....by holding the outside rails...you avoid any chance of it flexing and making contact with the shell.....again...had no problems with it
I did insure all the bolts and screws were tight and rechecked the rack at each stop to see if there was any problems wtih it....it remained solid thru the entire trip...
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