Thule Raceway 3 trunk bike rack

[skylergirl]

I just bought the Thule Raceway 3.  I also have a brand new 2017 Subaru Outback.

 

When I put the rack on the car, the rubber from the bike rack rubs onto the window in 2 distinct spots. It also rubs onto the paint of the car in 2 spots as well.  The rubber becomes semi imbedded such that vigorous rubbing is required to clean it off completely.

 

If this continues, the paint will be dulled and degraded on my car.

 

Why is this happening?  Thule can't come up with better materials for a nearly $400 bike rack???

 

What do you think I could use to protect the paint on my car?

 

Thanks for any suggestions. 

[Theunissa]

Did you contact them?

[skylergirl]

 

I am still waiting to hear from Thule.  I used the onlilne contact form. 

 

[Butterbean]

When I had a clip on rack, I used to use some cut up scraps of bike tube under the contact points.

 

Not fantastic but it worked okay and I got pretty good at positioning them before tightening the rack down.

[seven]

Similar problem, but ons a different application...

I stuck doen pieces of bike tube with insilation tape at the contact points... Easy to remove, and fairly effective...