Hello All,

I have two 1996 850 GLT wagons, both of which have dealer installed roof racks. One wagon has 377,000 miles and the other 305,000. I noticed about a year ago that the black plastic tape/stripping that covers the roof rack starting from the bottom of the front window up to the top of the “A” column was beginning to crack from age. I recall at the time I inquired from my local Volvo dealer if this plastic strip was still available. However, between its cost and the cost of having it installed by an independent auto body shop, I nearly lost consciousness. I decided to put off “fixing” this crack black plastic strip until it failed completely.

Well, today was that day. Spontaneously a six inch strip near the top of the “A” column completely cracked and separately from one side, exposing the shiny metal strip below. I had to fight the urge to tear it off completely. In stead, I effected a “cave man” repair and put some clear glue on the metal strip and pushed the black plastic strip back in place. I know this won’t hold.

I’m sure this problem has occurred with other owners and I would like to know what other people have done. I see two options:

1) Bite the bullet and buy the new stripping from Volvo and have it installed by the body shop and put on a “Happy Face’.

2) Rip off the plastic stripping on both sides of the roof rack and just expose the metal strip below.

3) Try painting the shiny metal strip with a dark colored paint to match the guard rail.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them. I know this problem will ultimately occur on the other wagon too, so I could really use the help and insight this website provides.

Let me express my thanks in advance to all who respond. Keeping these 20 year old Volvos looking presentable is a challenge.

Hugh

On your 'good' car, use some past wax on the black plastic. That will help delay the cracking.

On my black 855 without roof rails, the plastic was mostly peeled off when I bought the car - on the driver's side. Rather than paint it with low gloss black paint, I used 400 grit sand paper on the aluminum(?) to get all of the ugly glue off. That produced a satin finish which I am quite happy with.

The real problem is getting all of the black plastic off without hurting the rubber seal on the sides. What a royal pain! The glue used by the factory is really strong, so what isn't cracked does not want to come off.

I am waiting for a junk yard 1998-2000 with roof rails to put on my car.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Klaus,

Thank you for your suggestions. I have two ’96 850 wagons with dealer installed roof racks. One is colored red, the other silver. The roof rack on the red is still intact, though you can see cracks forming. The plastic strip on only one side has cracked completely on the silver wagon. I looked at where I glued the crack the other day, and it doesn’t look too bad. I will follow your advice and apply the paste wax to delay the deterioration.

I have seen some wagons where the owners basically peeled over the black plastic strip to leave the aluminum/metal below exposed. I try to keep my 850 wagons looking “good” but sometimes it is a challenge.

Hugh