How to maintain your Wedgetail roof rack

Short answer

Rinse after salt and sand, check bolt torque, inspect mounts. Wedgetail Adventure, Core and Trade racks are powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon, and Commercial Max and Oval Steel are powder coated steel, so the job is the same on all of them: keep salt and grit off, keep fasteners at the torque in the fitting instructions, and catch wear early. Replacement fasteners and crossbar rubbers are sold separately.

Facts from Wedgetail product data, updated 15 October 2026.

After salt or sand

Rinse with fresh water

Fasteners

Torque to the fitting instructions

Mounts

Check for movement and wear

Spare parts

Spare fasteners kit

Steps

1. Rinse after salt and sand

   After beach driving, salt spray or sand, rinse the rack with fresh water, including the platform channels, crossbar ends and mounts where salt and grit collect.

2. Wash

   Wash with mild car wash soap and a soft brush, then rinse. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive pads on the powder coat.

3. Check bolt torque

   Check every rack and mount fastener against the torque figure in the fitting instructions for your solution, and tighten any that have moved.

4. Inspect the mounts

   Look at the feet, rails and fixing points for movement, wear, damaged seals or corrosion around the vehicle's mounting points. Fix anything loose before you load the rack.

5. Check rubbers and accessories

   Check the crossbar rubbers, accessory brackets and tie-down points. Replace split or missing rubbers with the rubber kit for your platform.

6. Replace worn fasteners

   Replace any damaged or missing fasteners from the spare fasteners kit rather than with mismatched hardware.

7. Inspect straps

   Replace any strap that is frayed, cut or has a damaged buckle or ratchet.

When to do what

Beach and K'gari driving

Salt and fine sand are the main reasons a rack needs attention. Rinse the same day you come off the beach and check fasteners after the inland tracks. The K'gari and beach driving guide covers choosing and loading a rack for sand.

What the rack is made from

• Wedgetail Adventure, Core and Trade: powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon.
• Commercial Max: galvanised steel, powder coated.
• Oval Steel: zinc electroplated steel, powder coated.
• Trade Max: powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon, or zinc plated steel on rail mount kits.

The main frame sections are welded and the other parts bolt or click together, which is why the fasteners are the main thing to check. See how Wedgetail racks are built.

If something is damaged

If a part is cracked, bent or the powder coat is damaged through to the metal, stop loading the rack and contact Wedgetail on (03) 9722 5000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm) or your stockist. Warranty is set per range: 10 years on Adventure, 5 years on Trade and 3 years on Core.

Video

Questions people ask

How do I clean a Wedgetail roof rack?

Rinse with fresh water, wash with mild car wash soap and a soft brush, then rinse again. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive pads on the powder coat.

Does salt water damage a roof rack?

It can if it is left on. Rinse with fresh water the same day after beach driving or salt spray, including the channels and mounts.

What torque should the bolts be?

The figure in the fitting instructions for your solution. Use a torque wrench rather than guessing.

How often should I check the bolts?

After the first drive, after any corrugations or rough tracks, and at each wash.

Where do I get replacement fasteners and rubbers?

Wedgetail sells a spare fasteners kit and crossbar rubber kits matched to platform sizes, through the accessories page and stockists.