Wrapping roof rails black?

mikee30 · 07-11-2022, 09:03 PM

Hi,
I have aluminum roof rails on a 2012 x3 that I would like to swap for the high gloss black model. Has anyone swapped them out or had them wrapped? When wrapping can the roof racks still be used without damaging the wrap?
Thanks!

pungo · 07-11-2022, 09:13 PM

Swapping them is a major job since the headliner needs to be dropped which involves removing a lot a trim, plus they're not cheap. Many people have had the black finish on their rails start flaking off.
Wrapping may or may not fail where the roof racks get clamped on.
Personally, if they're in good shape, I'd leave them alone

3002 tii · 07-11-2022, 09:31 PM

I didn’t swap mine out but I did add the black rails retro. My x3 didn’t actually have rails to begin with but as Pungo noted, you still need to drop the headliner slightly to gain access. I think 2014 and later was much easier to drop the liner compared to earlier years.

With any gloss black wrap, have to be careful because it scratches easily. On my old Z4 coupe I did gloss wrap on the roof with a clear of clear film on top. Since the rails don’t have much surface area may be less of an issue.

jd_perspective · 07-20-2022, 03:49 PM

was curious about this too... just bought a 2016 and it has the satin roof rails. Definitely want to have them in black somehow...

Dekero · 08-24-2022, 04:43 PM

I don't know about the roof rails, but I had the chrome around my windows deleted on my X5 and it looks amazing def recommend.

UrsulasRevenge · 07-14-2023, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dekero

I don't know about the roof rails, but I had the chrome around my windows deleted on my X5 and it looks amazing def recommend.

What do you mean you had the chrome around your windows "deleted"?

07-11-2022, 09:03 PM	#1
mikee30 New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2007si Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Wrapping roof rails black? Hi, I have aluminum roof rails on a 2012 x3 that I would like to swap for the high gloss black model. Has anyone swapped them out or had them wrapped? When wrapping can the roof racks still be used without damaging the wrap? Thanks!
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07-11-2022, 09:13 PM	#2
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Swapping them is a major job since the headliner needs to be dropped which involves removing a lot a trim, plus they're not cheap. Many people have had the black finish on their rails start flaking off. Wrapping may or may not fail where the roof racks get clamped on. Personally, if they're in good shape, I'd leave them alone
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07-11-2022, 09:31 PM	#3
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	I didn’t swap mine out but I did add the black rails retro. My x3 didn’t actually have rails to begin with but as Pungo noted, you still need to drop the headliner slightly to gain access. I think 2014 and later was much easier to drop the liner compared to earlier years. With any gloss black wrap, have to be careful because it scratches easily. On my old Z4 coupe I did gloss wrap on the roof with a clear of clear film on top. Since the rails don’t have much surface area may be less of an issue. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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07-20-2022, 03:49 PM	#4
jd_perspective Captain 344 Rep 906 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 35i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	was curious about this too... just bought a 2016 and it has the satin roof rails. Definitely want to have them in black somehow... __________________ 2016 X3 35i M-Sport 2019 440i Coupe M-Sport - Retired 2018 330i Sedan M-Sport - Retired 2015 428i Gran Coupe M-Sport - Retired
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08-24-2022, 04:43 PM	#5
Dekero Private First Class 36 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X5 35I Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Memphis TN iTrader: (0)	I don't know about the roof rails, but I had the chrome around my windows deleted on my X5 and it looks amazing def recommend.
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