what are these metal 'straps'?

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not sure if I've done image link thing above properly but...
on drivers side of my 92 Trident there are two metal 'straps' fastened to side of high top. the stripes run over the top of them, the rear one is hooked over the roof rail and they look horrible.. Could they have been fitterd to carry something? They appear th have been riveted to the high top so I'm worried there will be holes even if I could get them off. Any ideas?

Maybe the remains of something to hold a canoe or surfboard?

Hi Mal.. maybe as you and paul have said already these were added to carry a surf board or something similar, never seen anything like that before

Almost looks like they cover a join?
Maybe you could 'undo' at the bottom on one and have a look underneath?

PB

peugeotboxer wrote:Almost looks like they cover a join?
Maybe you could 'undo' at the bottom on one and have a look underneath?

PB

Hi there,

Your right - it does look ugly and I haven't a clue why they are there.

However, those "pop-rivets" are an absolute beggar to remove without leaving a bigger hole than the original so I wouldn't bother with a look underneath!

You really only have three options:

1. Regard it as a "feature" and leave well alone.

2. Find out what it is for and return it to its original use. (You may have to buy a canoe!)

3. Bite on the bullet. Get it removed professionally and get the roof renovated to "as designed and built".

The problem with option 3. is that, as the lines go across the fitting, they look to be original supply! Maybe AS can help.

Enjoy.

Best regards,

if they are riveted on i would just drill the rivets out remove then fill the holes with some sikaflex. but make sure 1st they have not been added to give the roof strength as its been previously mentioned on the forum where older high tops have started coming away from the body and they could possibly have been added to act as braces for this reason. is it bothsides or just one side ?

Could they be to support some kind of awning/sunshade or is it on the "wrong" side?

squip

They are only on one side - drivers- opposite side to sliding door and after looking today they go down behind plastic moulding which tridents have where roof meets van but they aren't fastened to van - they finish just behind strip ie they are simply fastened to side of roof. I hat them even more now...

And does anybody know best way to remove wide painted grey stripes on front of high top. Are these tops painted white or just white? If I sand grey stripe off will I need to paint the top white? I want to renovate hard top and someone suggested using a type of rubbing compound for gel coats which suggest it isn't painted?