Painting 5th Gen 4Runner Roof Rack Cross Bars

If you’re looking to black out your roof rack, you have a few options. You can remove and paint the rails or use Plasti-Dip for a quicker solution. In this post, we’ll be blacking out the roof rails with Plasti-Dip.

This simple mod, along with a blackout emblem kit, gives your 4Runner a sleek look. It’s a straightforward mod, though it can take some time due to multiple Plasti-Dip coats and drying time.

I opted for Plasti-Dip because it’s affordable at $10 a can, and it’s easy to apply. However, you can also use paint, vinyl wrap, or powder coating, depending on your preference. If the Plasti-Dip doesn’t hold up, I can always switch to a more permanent solution later.

You’ll need plastic trim removal tools, which are worth the $10 to avoid damaging the tabs on the black end caps. While a flathead screwdriver can work, it risks breaking the tabs, which can be costly to replace.

Items needed:

• Plastic Trim Removal Tools – Check Price
• 1 Can of Plasti-Dip – Check Price
• Blue or Red Threadlocker – Check the Price
• 12 mm socket
• ½ socket wrench
• Newspaper or Cardboard

1. Pry Front Roof Rack End-Caps

First, start by placing your trim removal tools towards the center of your 4Runner (flat edge of end cap). You want to start with the end closest to the rail. I found that tapping the end of the tool with my palm was enough pressure to get the first end popped up. This will take a bit of figuring out to get them off which is the reason that these trim removal tools are a necessity. Using a screwdriver will likely result in cracked plastic on this piece.

2. Pry Rear End-Caps

Once the first end is popped up then you can start working towards the second tab. I found that sliding the trim tool from the opened end towards the other end was the best way to get the end cap popped up. Again this may take a little playing around with to get it to finally pop.

After both of the outside tabs have been popped off, you will then need to push the end caps up. The trim removal tools are not required for this step. Shown above are the 4 tabs that you need to get popped off.

3. Remove End-Caps

Once you have the 4 tabs popped and free from the end cap assembly, you can remove the end-cap cover. After you have the end-cap removed, you can move onto unbolting the roof rack.

4. Remove12mm End-Cap Bolts

Next, remove the 2 12 mm bolts. These bolts have Red Threadlocker and might take a bit of elbow grease at first. I used a ½ inch socket wrench and had no issues getting this to budge. Follow this same process for the 3 remaining end caps and bolts.

5. Remove Factory Roof Rack

The rack is now ready to be removed from the vehicle. This is much easier to do with 2 people and just needs to be picked up and removed.

6. Prepping Plasti-Dip for Rack

Once the roof rack is removed, you want to create an area to paint. You can use old newspaper, an old sheet or literally anything else you do not care about. Once you have your area prepped, you can move to applying the Plasti-Dip.

7. Apply Plasti-Dip to Roof Rack

Once the 4Runner roof rack is removed, you can start painting. I opted for Plasti-Dip since I already had a can available. Begin by thoroughly cleaning and drying the rails. If you’re new to Plasti-Dip, there are plenty of tutorial videos available to guide you—it’s an easy and forgiving material to work with.

How to Apply Plasti-Dip:

1. Hold the spray can 10–12 inches from the surface.
2. Apply wet, overlapping coats.
3. Allow 10–30 minutes of drying time (until dry to the touch) between coats.
4. Use at least five coats for optimal durability and ease of removal.

Application Process:

I painted the rack in two phases, starting with the bottom and inside surfaces. Begin with two light coats, followed by five heavy coats for full coverage. Allow 10 minutes of drying time between coats. While waiting, I took the opportunity to wax my roof, as it’s much easier to do this with the rack removed.

Once the bottom and inside were complete, I flipped the rack over to paint the top and sides, ensuring every surface was thoroughly covered.

If you have an SR5 model with silver end caps (unlike the black ones on Trail and TRD Pro models), you can follow the same Plasti-Dip method to achieve a uniform look.

8. ReInstall Plasti-Dip Roof Rack

After the rack is plasti-dipped and ready to be installed back on, using two people reinstall the rack. Get the rack back up top, bolted on, and caps snapped back into place. On a side note, you may want to apply Blue Threadlocker to the bolts just to be safe.

Before

After