The best Automotive Exterior Accessories: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Don't be. My smoothtop stove actually came with a razor scraper. I bet yours did too. You will need it the first time you drip or spatter something on the hot surface.

This is what they typically look like, although some are made of plastic https://www.amazon.com/American-Safety-Razor-66-0445-Heavy-Duty/dp/B000WC8UF8/

I think I posted in your other thread. What about instead of spraying clear. Why don't you just put some clear 3m vinyl on the top tube instead?

3m clear vinyl

I have both roof racks and a hitch rack for my '19 Impreza. Go for a tray style hitch rack. Putting bikes up on the roof will get old quick, especially on the taller Crosstrek.

I have this hitch receiver from etrailer

and this rack

They have cheaper hitch receivers, but the one I linked to gives the best clearance, which is what I was interested in on my Impreza. It was easy to install, but does require taking the bumper off. Honestly, the majority of my time doing it was fiddling with the stupid body clips.

There are better racks, but that rack holds my bikes just fine. I had 2 heavy touring bikes on it for a long 300 mile trip to a trail, they didn't bounce or move at all. I transport my carbon road bike on it for after work rides. Just keep in mind it's not really a secure rack in terms of locking anything. I keep a chain lock attached to it, but it would be really easy to defeat the hitch pin lock.

I wouldn't trust a strap attached rack as far as I could throw it.

uj/ Not gonna lie, I use this 3M Paint Protection Film on my watch bracelets.

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I put it on the clasps since that's the part I always end up fucking up. You can't even tell it's on there from anything more than "bad breath distance."

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY0GIZV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_FM4B6VRX1171KB689AS3

This stuff is amazing and a while lot cheaper, and not that difficult to install. I did it to my bike back in December.

YouTube installations videos to get comfortable

It is the "Tyger T1", when I saw the good reviews and the price, it was an easy choice.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0L5IVL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The "T1" is the roll-up style, T2 and T3 are tri-fold and hard cover respectively.

HTH

> Also, to the pencil sharping: why? It seems kinda dangerous.

It's not unusual to sharpen pencils to a long point like this; it exposes lots of lead so you can get really broad strokes.

If you want to try it but are worried about using a razor blade like that safely, a scraping tool like this makes it easier to hold on to.

Don't use plastic ice scrapers, they're absolute shit compared to the alternative: Brass ice scrapers. At least an order of magnitude easier to get ice off windshields with these things, and they don't damage the glass.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Line-Window-Scraper-Blades/dp/B000WC8UF8/ref=sr_1_11?crid=12RPK4205678H&keywords=razor+blade+scraper&qid=1669835428&sprefix=razor+blade+scraper%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-11

this will work great and won't scratch the glass unless you are trying to gouge it intentionally. just keep it almost parallel to the surface and scrape slowly, it will come right up with no issues. glass will be much more durable than a flimsy razor blade tbh

• All season tires are no season tires. They're good at exactly nothing besides driving on fresh dry pavement. Get snow tires.
• If you have a garage - use it. Any car you own here will rust away when left outside and it gets really cold in the morning if you have an early commute.
• When the weather dips above freezing get an under-carriage car wash (or do it yourself) - the salt and dirt will be caked on.
• If you do not have a garage - invest in snow and ice removal. Get a Snobrum and I am a big fan of these brass ice scrapers. They will not scrape your glass. Get a shovel/snow blower whatever you can afford or makes sense for your living environment
• Get a super warm jacket. Something that wind-breaks and is moisture resistant.
• CLEAR THE SNOW OFF YOUR CAR BEFORE YOU DRIVE. Seriously. Extremely dangerous to drive with snow and ice on your car that can fly off. Clear the snow off of your signals as well.
• When there's a winter storm warning or travel advisory/ban SERIOUSLY do not drive unless absolutely dire.
• Get some water resistant boots
• Don't pile your snow into the road from your driveway if you're clearing it yourself.
• Dress in layers, you aren't tough because you're under dressed.

I just got the larger one of this from Amazon a few weeks but it looks like they raise the price $50usd 🙄. I have a VA with oem crossbars and it worked great:) It's not a perfect fit but it sits on the bars good enough.

It does! I just slid my anchors in between the two, so I can still use them, just not all the way in the front or back. Here's a picture and here's the amazon link for more info. You can see the back anchor, it looks weird because i have my grocery net hooked in still and took the pic from the tailgate being down and the cover still being on.

Try PPF, you can pick up a roll from amazon pretty cheap.

We put it on our door sill, not sure how it'd work on the plastic parts.

Hollywood Racks Destination 2-4 Bikes Platform Hitch Mount Bike Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0845NRRY5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EM0E9F4P87Z89H5DWN9B?psc=1

Comes with through bolt you screw in so it’s tight. Doesn’t move a bit. Only $200

Oof that's rough. That's exactly what I was worried about. I ended up going with a Curt 13325 hitch that I'll install myself and this rack: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0845NRRY5/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_1EN38MFRYBVCQJCNWRQP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I was looking at a bunch of different racks but I'm a bit strapped for cash so this one seemed like the best balance of being solidly reliably and well built without breaking the bank. I'm just a bit strapped for cash so some of the higher end Thule and Kuat racks were a bit out of my range, especially since I have to also buy some roof rails and crossbars so I can get my kayak on there.

I have a tyger roll up. I got it "used" but it was NIB never actually used. It's great.
https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-TG-BC1T9044-2016-2018-Fleetside/dp/B01M0L5IVL

Saris Bones 805 2 Bike Trunk Mount Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BT30RK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_J30615EPEDNRHYCGXVM9 I have this one. Used it maybe 10 times so far. Haven’t had any issues. But was paranoid I was gonna have the issues mentioned in the other comments… just been lucky I guess

It’s just this one from Amazon.

Be warned: it is - get this - not waterproof! It is known to immediately start rusting. Knowing this, I applied silicone to every joint and nook where water could get in. Then I sprayed Plastidip on the entire thing, extra heavy on those joints and nooks. After a few months - including Seattle’s winter - there is one spot that’s got surface rust. I’ll have to clean that off and reapply the silicone and Plastidip.

On top of the other comments, a brass blade ice scraper will change your life. I moved from TX to PA, and got this on top of a brush to wipe off the heavy snow.

CJ Industries F101 Fantastic Ice Scraper with Brass Blade, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FW4LT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_CNB0CKKXX9K2NAGJ8EBM

https://www.amazon.com/Tyger-Auto-TG-BC1T9044-2016-2018-Fleetside/dp/B01M0L5IVL/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=SVCN3OHKPLDW&keywords=2020+Tacoma+tyger+roll+up&qid=1642083173&replacementKeywords=tyger+roll+up&sprefix=2020+tacoma+tyger+roll+up%...

Must haves:

- Dash Camera

- Tonneau Cover. I have [this cheap one from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0L5IVL/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), but it does the trick. Will probably upgrade to a retractable hardcover eventually.

I've had this bed cover for about 6 months now. Pretty easy to install and have had no issues with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0L5IVL?th=1

Would go with the second option as you will eventually need all these tools once you go down the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole. I purchased this for a starter kit (option c). Starter kit

There are companies that make kits of laser cut helicopter tape for specific frames, which I'm sure work great, but personally I think they're too expensive. I've had good success with this the 3M tape from this seller. Let's me cut tape to the shape I need and it's nearly invisible once installed.

This looks very similar to this its $27 and includes 205g0. It has worse brushes though but u could buy some better ones.

I picked up a switch lube station kit off of Amazon (Option C).

It's been super handy! In addition to your switch/keycap pullers, a couple other handy items including:

• MX stem holder
• tweezers
• brushes
• switch opener
• lube station

The no-name brand 205g0 seemed to do the trick on my linear switches. Take caution if using on tactile switches. I found that since my Gateron Browns were already light, the lube basically removed all tactility to them, even with careful application (avoiding legs + leafs).

XCAR Roof Rack Carrier Basket Rooftop Cargo Carrier with Extension Black Car Top Luggage Holder 64"x 39"x 6" Universal for SUV Cars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RK9M6X3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SJDQTMT83BFD7C89AJCW?psc=1 looks like the price went up a bit , I got it with an open box for $130 , 145 w tax

Ok so after checking I misspoke and it’s not a Thule but a Saris Bones 2 bike rack. Looks like they retail for just under $200 but I’d suggest checking OfferUp or FB marketplace as you’ll save a considerable amount of you find one. I actually just used it coming up yesterday, I definitely would recommend it. I do worry about someone stealing it so when I’m riding I will take the extra time to take it down and throw it in the trunk. Hope this helps!

Saris Bones 805 2 Bike Trunk Mount Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BT30RK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_NJRT754FC19XCYT0WHES

I have this, and it folds up when not in use. Pretty easy to get on and off. I have the 2 bike version.

Hollywood Racks Destination 2-4 Bikes Platform Hitch Mount Bike Rack https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0845NRRY5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KN3AX5J1SJ22W4G1FT9Y?psc=1

I recommend getting a outemu hotswap board like the Redragon K552 (TKL) or Redragon Fizz (60%) whichever layout you like. Reason is they are dirt cheap. The K552 and the Fizz are $31 and $30. Also don't underestimate outemu hotswap. It can fit all KTT Switches, Akko CS Switches, Feker Switches, Gazzew Switches, Glorious Pandas, YOK Pandas, Outemu Switches and more! Theres a great selection there. So heres a hypothetical build: K552 ($30) Akko CS Ocean Blue ($28) Lube Station Kit ($27)