I wouldn't recommend using the roof rails if they were wrapped. Suspect it would damage fairly easily. Stone chips can puncture vinyl and produce little flaps. So a roof rack with all the weight of pressure etc...
So getting them spray painted would probably be the most durable.

Maybe do a little vinyl and Plasti dip test patch? Maybe look and durability videos on YouTube as well

 

Yeah I've looked on you tube, I'm just not convinced by plasti dip, given how easy it is to peal off the excess. I painted an Octavia vRS grille back in the day and that was atrocious - very quickly deteriorated and looked shabby.

 

I'm sure the feet have rubber lining on the roof bars. I used mine the other day. The fitting on the inside is metal but if your careful when fitting it should be ok. I sprayed a chrome grill on a rover vitesse and it was great. Sanded to chrome to key surface kept it warm while painting then put it near a radiator for drying (was in a rented flat at the time!)

 

I have heard of depending on application thickness off PlastiDip being extremely difficult to remove. But the other thing to consider is if you damage the vinyl they whole lot needs to be removed and a new piece applied (costly). With paint and PlastiDip you can do your own touch up repair.

Personally I would try the PlastiDip as its inexpensive, your can mask it out and apply it yourself, and its non-permanent if you change your mind. Its more durable then you think.

Example link: "I Plasti-dipped my roof rails black and haven't touched them for at least a year since. I use mine all the time in the winter b/c I'm putting 4+ snowboards on top of the car. They look great still.

I would definitely do it. It is durable and looks 10x better in my opinion."

Plasti dip durability laid to rest - car rolled and PlastiDip not affected!

Video: https://www.youtube....h?v=wOIG7zzsNZI

Maybe you need to do more research, but at the end of the day its your choice.

 

I have now completed wrapping my rear roof spoiler, door handles and front grille in gloss black vinyl, next on the list are the roofrails, window trim and rear diffuser.

I just think the chrome makes my SQ5 look like a regular Q5 whereas the gloss black trim will give it a more fancy edge.

 

I feel a race coming on, I've only got the strip across the rear diffuser left to go! ????

I cheated and bought a black rad grille, was it a pain to wrap?

 

Well done! Get some pics up

Agreed chrome is for old fogies

 

Haha I'm going to remove the rear diffuser and wrap it in gloss black. I had hoped to do the whole front grille in one piece but because of the shape I ended up doing the frame in one and then the horizontal slats separately. It took hours but it was worth it!

The fog light grilles look difficult and I recall you did say they weren't easy. Pouring rain today so no chance of getting any more done yet.

Did you get the rad grille from a dealer or eBay?

 

Do not plastidip the roof rails. I repeat, do not do this. It will absolutely peel. I think the surface is too smooth and the paint doesn't stick. Especially if you use the rails. Now it's just an embarrassing mess I need to wrap!

 

TLC Detailing by me in Central Scotland have carried out lots of custom full black pack conversions on new Q5's lately, I think most were on brand new cars too via the dealer for customers, Results are superb. The roof rails were painted on the cars they done. I'll find some pics and post

 

 

That looks so much better with a "black pack" still a shame about the exhaust but I guess that could be changed

 

Think I'll get my one done. They've done a Silver one and a blue one too. Pics on the TLC detailing FB page.

 

Is the chrome vinyl wrapped ?