Given the clear lack of load space in the back of the combo, I felt the need to buy a roof box to accommodate SWMBO's packing formula of n+1 (where "n" is the amount of space actually available in the car).

Given that nobody distributes the beautiful packline boxes in the UK, I ended up buying a previously enjoyed Thule X1, which is one of the stronger boxes that Thule have made, albeit quite utilitarian looking.

It must be about 5 years old, and the stainless silver colour doesn't really match my steel grey car. So, I was thinking: should I do what the teenagers are doing, and vinyl wrap my roofbox to match the colour of my car?

This is what she looks like:

Edited 21 June, 201411 yr by JakeBlade

how well will it adhere to the dimpled surface and will you be able to get a good finish? I wondered the same thing as I have a 10yr old grey Thule box that would be sooooooo much better looking in gloss black

Definitely paint it. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed doing it

what paint did you use and what prep did you do?

 

I thought about paint but again, the surface makes me wonder how well it will take to it and the highly flexible nature of it made me fear it might crack due to flex or vibrations. Maybe I'm over thinking this and just need to get some Plasticoat on it?

 

EDIT: found this thread - looks like paint is possible and I love the striping on the box. Might need something a little more subtle for the Superb though?

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=159694

 

and from Thule customer service....

http://thule.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/312/~/can-i-paint-a-thule-box%3F

Edited 22 June, 201411 yr by Bigpikle

Details are in my build thread, but essentially cleaned with sugar soap, lightly rubbed down, washed again, several coats of primer for base colour and stencilled the rest.

I used generic vehicle primer from Halfords and these graffiti art paints for the stencilling

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331089141120&alt=web

Just remember to avoid multi storey car parks when you have it fitted. SWMBO didn't.........

how well will it adhere to the dimpled surface and will you be able to get a good finish? I wondered the same thing as I have a 10yr old grey Thule box that would be sooooooo much better looking in gloss black

Go on, have a go at doing a carbon fibre wrap, then let me know how to do it - you know you want to!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have some contacts in a wrapping business but I suspect it might cost me a little more than I want to try that!

Just remember to avoid multi storey car parks when you have it fitted. SWMBO didn't.........

well if you will have it camouflaged what do you expect.....  :p  :p

I am probably going to be accused as being a cynic, but really, who cares about the look of a roofbox unless you might be using it all the time? Waterproof ness and security would be the issues top of my list. Just my opinion, you understand!

The Thule Roofbox looks pretty decent though

The roof box looks the business. It's the best thing I have seen on here for ages!!

It makes me smile every time I look at the picture. I have a roof box and have often thought about customising it.

There is some kind of hydro wrapping that you can get done. I can't remember the name but it involves using the surface tension on water to apply a thin layer of printed medium onto a surface.

There are loads of videos on YouTube showing it getting done. It looks great.

Just remembered its called hydrographic dipping???

Edited 22 June, 201411 yr by gianthotdog

I am probably going to be accused as being a cynic, but really, who cares about the look of a roofbox unless you might be using it all the time? Waterproof ness and security would be the issues top of my list. Just my opinion, you understand!

The Thule Roofbox looks pretty decent though

 

Cynic!

 

Of course you're right, but then this is a forum where people talk about their cars too much so its bound to have a few of us a little too obsessed with how they look

 

If you want to really laugh, this is making me think about getting my roofbox out of the shed where its been for 5 years without a single occasion to use it, and paint it up so it looks great. There must be something wrong with me!

Bigpikle. You made me smile! Why? I would like to see your box on your Mercedes covertible.......with the roof down!

you wouldnt believe what I end up carrying in that car with the roof down - bikes in the back seats, boxes of stuff everywhere! It always rains just as I arrive and have to put the roof down to get stuff out....

 

I love a convertible but frankly cant wait for a giant estate car again where I can just open the boot and throw everything in! 

 

By the way you must be just up the road from me as I'm very close to Silverstone.

Just remember to avoid multi storey car parks when you have it fitted. SWMBO didn't.........

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or is it the latest in airbag technology..... Thank roofbox for Thule bars...

narrow escape!

narrow escape!

Yup.... sum of damage was 2 minor dinks in bodywork (which I'm sure dent-master could sort), a few scuffs which need polishing out every few months and a roofbox with a couple of hairline cracks... Roofbox popped up with a pretty loud bang when pressure was released.  

But v. lucky looked worse when first walking up to it... :-(

 

Although not a BIG tree it probably still weighed approaching 200kg but Airbox did the business & saved roof & more!

Edited 23 June, 201411 yr by sk8tergirl

you wouldnt believe what I end up carrying in that car with the roof down - bikes in the back seats, boxes of stuff everywhere! It always rains just as I arrive and have to put the roof down to get stuff out....

 

I love a convertible but frankly cant wait for a giant estate car again where I can just open the boot and throw everything in! 

 

By the way you must be just up the road from me as I'm very close to Silverstone.

you wouldnt believe what I end up carrying in that car with the roof down - bikes in the back seats, boxes of stuff everywhere! It always rains just as I arrive and have to put the roof down to get stuff out....

 

I love a convertible but frankly cant wait for a giant estate car again where I can just open the boot and throw everything in! 

 

By the way you must be just up the road from me as I'm very close to Silverstone.

Just 20 mins towards London in MK!

I'm going for it. Think more "decal" than full-on vinyl wrap: I'm working up a couple of designs that will aim to distort the shape and size of the box, using black, grey and white with the existing silver of the box.

Using the vinyl as more simple decals will save me a load of hassle on wrapping around awkward curves.

Hopefully it won't look to hideous.

Edited 25 June, 201411 yr by JakeBlade

Look forward to seeing the result.

 

I'm painting mine when I get some time in July - thinking I'll just go with several thin coats of primer and try and get some rattle cans from Skoda or mixed to match Skoda metal grey. Probably try some black pinstripes or something to break it up.

Here we go - the fruits of my labour (6 hours of work during some of the less interesting World Cup games).

Cost me £12 in vinyl wrap, plus £2.50 for a vinyl application tool (glorified credit card).

Jury's still out from me.

Looks fun but TBH I'm not sure it quite suits the Superb?

 

What colour is your car BTW?

Steel grey, plus might also use it on another car which is a very deep grey - so I wanted to disguise the light silver colour really.

Tbh, I'm not sure how long some of the decals will remain stuck on there, as some of the shapes are long thin points, which might just start to peel at anything over 30mph.

I think you should put the pics up on pistonheads with the title - "New prototype Thule roofbox seen testing at Nurburgring" ;)

Personally think it looks quite cool especially with the Steel Grey - shame they were out of pink camo though.

I think you should put the pics up on pistonheads with the title - "New prototype Thule roofbox seen testing at Nurburgring" ;)

BRILLIANT!!!