Teraflex Nebo Issues

[KD702]

I recently purchased the Teraflex Nebo Bars for my '17 JKU. Not sure if anyone else out there has the same issue as I have with the finish. Every time I wash it the water spots keep building up and they have begun to look pretty bad and I have tried several different cleaners to get rid of the spots, to no avail. I sent the following pictures to Teraflex and they told me:
- maybe don't let them stay wet for long after washing them
- I might have to wax them to keep it from happening
- I can see if someone can repaint them or get them powder coated
- they have never seen this and if it was really a problem they would have others having the same issue
- Looks like a "Hard Water" Problem, (but then wouldn't there be spot on the vehicle some place else?)

These are not cheap, and are only a few months old. I am not sure how to feel about the conversation I had with there rep, and if I have unrealistic expectations please let me know. If these were "Just" water spots I would think they would come off with a cleaner and some scrubbing. I have tried several things and scrubbed the hell out of them.

KD

 

[nwoods]

Is that truly from washing, or perhaps repeated cycles of morning dew?

 

[KD702]

Is that truly from washing, or perhaps repeated cycles of morning dew?

it is truly from washing. It is parked in the garage every night. It is almost like the soap has acid etched it.

 

[KD702]

Is that truly from washing, or perhaps repeated cycles of morning dew?

I noticed them starting to show up, and when I got back form SD last week, I washed it to get all the dirt and bugs off, and it is even worse now. I have tried bathroom hard water cleaners, Vinegar and water, windex, nothing works to get it off. I will gladly wax them if that is what is needed but first id like to get the spots off first.

 

[jeepers29]

I have the nabob set up and don't think ours has those but to tell the truth, our jeep usually is not clean, but has a slight layer of "paint protectant" on it.

 

[NatersXJ6]

I’ve had similar spots happen to parts that I’ve powder coated myself. I think it is probably mostly oxidation or UV damage of the coating, but I’m just guessing. Does an extremely light buffing compound and good hand buffing get it back to dark black? If so, wax it afterwards.

 

[KD702]

I’ve had similar spots happen to parts that I’ve powder coated myself. I think it is probably mostly oxidation or UV damage of the coating, but I’m just guessing. Does an extremely light buffing compound and good hand buffing get it back to dark black? If so, wax it afterwards.

It can't be UV Damage it is only been on the jeep for 2 months. It is seriously the soap at the car wash that has done this to the finish. I will try the buffing compound and see. But for $500+ I would think that the finish would not react to the soap. Now I feel stuck with this because I have drilled holes in my roof to install it?

 

[jeepers29]

Have you tried to re wash it with hot soapy water at home? The car wash soap may have had an issue and needs to be removed.

 

[NatersXJ6]

It can't be UV Damage it is only been on the jeep for 2 months. It is seriously the soap at the car wash that has done this to the finish. I will try the buffing compound and see. But for $500+ I would think that the finish would not react to the soap. Now I feel stuck with this because I have drilled holes in my roof to install it?

I understand your frustration but my entire Jeep looks similar that or has faded to sort-of-charcoal grey. My rear bumper (Smittybilt), the modifications I’ve done (RustOleum), my roof rack (Gobi), my front bumper is holding up best (OrFab), and all of the factory plastic, plus everything factory coated on the undercarriage

The first thing that started turning stuff grey was desert mud. (Alkaline?) For a while washing would bring back a sort of speckled look like you have, I thought the dark areas were just coming cleaner. Over time it has basically just developed a patina. I doubt it has been inside a commercial car wash since I installed the rack 6 years ago.

You and I probably have different standards for vehicle appearance, not a big deal, but I suspect if you look closely at other roof racks for a few weeks you will find that most look similar unless someone is hand waxing them like crazy.

You could also take it to a professional detail or body shop and ask them about it. They see more paint damage in a month than most see in a lifetime.

 

[KD702]

I am wondering if this is Anodized Aluminum, and not a powder coating. I have other powder coat items on the jeep and have not seen this on it. I am truly not that picky about having a spotless finish on my jeep and it is most often covered in gravel dust. I was just a little disappointed with the cost to have it look like this. In the sunlight it looks like I am sporting a leopard spotted accessory. I guess with all my experience in product buying for my hobbies and my job, when a company says they have never seen this before, the "Let's figure this out" attitude is nicer to hear than the "yeah that looks like ********, I don't know what to tell you". To be honest, I wasn't looking for the warm fuzzy hug from them, but a little concern would have been nice. There are several different types of surfaces on this vehicle, plastic, glass, powder coated, painted, a couple rattle can painted brackets, and this is the only item that reacted like this.