Rack FAQ

I need a rack! How much will it cost?

Well, that has a lot to do with how big and complex you'd like it, and how much cool stuff you want on it. To give you an idea, a basic unpainted 60" X 36" X 6" rack costs $250. Bells and whistles are available, and extra. I can build you anything you want, but keep in mind the bigger or more complicated the rack is the more time and effort goes into building it which translates into higher cost.

How long will it take to get my rack?

I should have your rack ready to go in about a week and a half and you should have it in 3-4 days after I ship it out. I'll also need your phone number so Greyhound can contact you when your rack arrives. I will email you and let you know when I have your rack ready to go and when you can expect it. If you happen to know the Greyhound station nearest you that handles packages please let me know and I will make sure and get it to the location that is the most convenient for you.

How do I know what size to get?

I can build you whatever sized rack you need if you can measure it up and let me know what size will work the best for you. I measure the roofs from a couple inches back from the sides and as far back and forward as I can but that is only my personal preference. Everyone has their own idea of how they want the racks to fit and there are no wrong sizes since all sizes of racks will fit on top of your roof. It's simply a matter of letting me know how you want the rack to fit your vehicle and having me build it to your specs.

I've built racks for Suburbans that were as small as 36" X 36" and as large as 120" X 60", it seems like everyone has a different idea of what fits best for them which is why I have given up even trying to figure out what sizes fit which vehicles. They will all fit on the roof, it's simply a matter of how you want the rack to look. If you have measured it up and think that a 60" X 48" X 6" looks right to you then that's what you need : ) Don't let that tape measure scare you, it's not a snake and it won't bite you and they aren't gonna repossess your vehicle for measuring using it.

How do I put my rack on?

The easiest way to mount the rack is by using a few sets of u-bolts. I used that method for years but I now prefer to drill through the front to rear support bars of the rack and continue through the factory crossbars and through bolt the rack down with stainless button head allen socket bolts and locking nylon nuts and washers on the bottom. The bolts make for a really strong, clean looking and low profile installation.

Another mounting option: I can build you a set of mounting feet for the rack which will allow you to mount it directly to your roof or factory rails, they run $100.00 for the set of four.

I use threaded rivet inserts to install the racks on vehicles with no factory racks.. Take a look at the set at rivetsinstock.com and see what you think. There's a special tool you'll need to install them. It usually runs between $20-$40 depending on your supplier. You'll need to use steel inserts on your roof.

You can get the set of threaded rivet inserts installed at a local body shop if you don't want to purchase the tool and do it yourself. The inserts will allow you to bolt the feet directly into the roof without removing the head liner (if you have a head liner), they are really strong and will also allow you to remove the rack if you should ever want to.

If you have rain gutters, you can get a set of Quik-n-Easy towers and crossbars at canoegear.com. They are the most affordable set up on the market right now.

I love stainless steel! Can I get a rack made out of it?

No.

I don't build the racks out of Stainless since the materials cost is almost tripled and the process of passivating the welds after fabrication to keep them from rusting involves heavy concentrations of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid which are 2 of the nastiest substances on the planet.

Will you paint my rack?

I'm sorry but I don't paint the racks. You can get your rack powder coated or finished with bed liner for between $60-$160 depending on your local shop's pricing. I'm concentrating on building the best racks out there these days and leaving the final coating up to you. If you need any help on getting it prepped for paint or selecting a finish let me know and I'll be glad to help you out.

What if I want to paint it myself?

I am recommending Por-15 to all my customers for painting; it is comparable to powder coating and you can apply it with a brush since it flattens out and leaves almost no visible brush marks if you keep the paint properly strained. They sell a $15 starter kit which contains their special cleaner and metal prep acid etch primer which eliminates the tedious sanding process for prep and enough paint to do a 60" X 36" X 6" rack. I used Por-15 to line the inside of a boat motor test tank that I built for a river company and it has been sitting half full for almost 2 years now with no rust anywhere. The stuff is really incredible.

What kind of payment do you like?

I prefer PayPal. If you need to pay me another way, please feel free to contact me and we'll come up with something that works for both of us.

Do you need a deposit?

A 50% deposit to get things going will be fine. The balance will be due on completion of the rack. Please include all the details of what you need and your address on your PayPal statement as well as your phone number so Greyhound can contact you when your rack arrives. That will help me keep the records straight and get everything going as quickly as possible.

How will you ship my rack? How much will it cost?

Shipping runs $65.00 to the Greyhound terminal nearest you that handles package express shipments, anywhere in the US. If you want a smaller sized rack I may be able to ship it through Fed Ex cheaper.

What if my rack is huge?

Because of the size (Greyhound's maximum is 72" X 52") it will have to go by truck. I'll need your zip code to figure out an exact shipping price for you. I have a 65% shipping discount, so the price will be as reasonable as you are going to find anywhere on a package that large. A good guesstimate is between $80-$140 depending on where you are located. You'll need a business address for the truck to deliver to or they will add on another $50-$60 for a home delivery.

:: blackout@blackoutaz.com ::