GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: MrWolf on 27 June 2013, 17:39
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Hi guys, I just got my Mark 2 back after having some body work done, which necessitated losing the original decal round the rear window. Garage couldn't get a decal but I sourced a repro one no problem. Not sure how to put images in, so I'll describe what happened.
When I picked up the car yesterday, I could see there were air bubbles under the decal but decided not to make a fuss there and then. But on checking the car properly at home, I found there's almost no part of the decal free of air bubbles which range from 1/4" to over an inch in length. Think of someone covered in a bad, blistering allergic rash and that's what my decal looks like.
Also, the old decal covered all the paintwork around and below the rear window, up to the angle where the metalwork drops away to form the side or the rear. You know what I mean? To be honest, on a metallic grey car I never even noticed the decal before.
But now the decal stops in a wavy, diagonal line about 1/2" above the edge of that bit of the tailgate. It fits better on one side than the other.
It's a real mess. What would you do at this point?
I talked to another body shop for advice, and they said decal work really needs to be done by a specialist, but they couldn't recommend one as they didn't seem to know a local one they were happy with. Is this right? And does anybody know a specialist in the Dorset/Hampshire/Wiltshire area that they'd recommend?
Then I called the guy who did the work and told him about the air bubbles. He said, "It wasn't like that when it left here," but it was and anyway, what could I have done to make them appear? He then said it was almost perfect when he applied it, and the air bubbles must've appeared because he left my car in the sun. He said they'd probably disappear, but couldn't tell me when, then said 2-3 weeks, then said they might not. He blamed the solvents in paint and said it was always a problem putting decals on fresh paint. I asked if it would've worked better on older paint and he said yes - but he didn't tell me that before he did the work!
I asked about removing the decal and he made it sound like I could just take it off if I wanted to, as though I could easily peel it off if I warmed it with a hairdrier. I asked him if he'd do it for me and all of a sudden it was difficult: he'd have to take the rear window out, etc - so how I was supposed to do it was a mystery. And he said the paintwork would look bad underneath.
We've left it that I'm going to take the car back in tomorrow just for him to look at.
What d'you reckon my best options are?
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Send Thom a message and ask him, he's a painter by trade!!
I had mine done at a body shop and they got a sign writer to apply it so they didn't have this issue.
As for actual size -sorry but thats what you get with using non genuine items....
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I seem to recall someone, some time ago, having it sprayed on in matt. Someone may info on this remedy
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DONT spray it. Looks terrible.
http://www.volkswagenstickers.co.uk/ supply the decals and they are the same size and finish as the genuine ones.
Not a specialist job. Just a window out job, some washing liquid and a credit card to get the bubbles out.
I was going to mention solvents in the paint but I'm no painter. I had a few bubbles and just used a pin to pop them.
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I'd get the decal off asap, before it has a chance to affect the paint!
DO NOT use a hair dryer to remove the decal, this will just soften the fresh paint, and run a much higher risk of pulling the paint off! Your painter will know this, hence his reluctance to remove it!
Thom
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Thanks for all the replies and ideas.
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/danny_girl/9154777412/)
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... how DO you put an image in? I hit the image button and put a URL in between, but nothing showed up. You may never see the horror that is my blistered decal.
Anyway, to respond properly...
MrBlue, that's where I got the decal from, so I don't think the problem lies with the decal. Dan was very helpful throughout.
D'you think popping the bubbles (on one that's done properly, that is) would lead to any problems? My Mark 2 had a circle of rust underneath the decal when I bought it, and that's what I got fixed - or tried to. There was a tiny hole in the decal at the centre of the rust circle, and I always wondered if water got in and couldn't escape. I guess as long as you don't stab the paintwork you're OK.
Thom, how d'you get the decal off without warming it up? And do you have to take the rear window out to get the decal off/on?
I'm thinking maybe I should get the decal taken off and the paint fixed and just leave it. Looking on the internet today, some people seem to have got rid of it anyway. I only wanted it put back on because my VW engineer said it was a sign of a Golf being a GTi. I didn't want it to be the only GTi without one, but now I wish I hadn't bothered.
Thanks, guys.
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Even if it is fresh paint if its been prepped correctly surely a sticker wont pull the paint off?!
Ive stuck gaffa tape to fresh paint to check prep and yes if preps no good it will come off haha
But if done correctly if shouldent come off :/
Maybe they was rushing and put the sticker on when the paint wasent fully cured?
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Oh and as for rust anything that traps dirt and water creates rust, trims, stickers will all start over time
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See the first 3 pix here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danny_girl/with/304311090/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danny_girl/with/304311090/)
(But feel free to browse the rest if you're a fan of 'Where Eagles Dare'!)
Just looked in the garage - nope, the air bubbles haven't gone yet... :cry:
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See the first 3 pix here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danny_girl/with/304311090/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danny_girl/with/304311090/)
(But feel free to browse the rest if you're a fan of 'Where Eagles Dare'!)
Just looked in the garage - nope, the air bubbles haven't gone yet... :cry:
OMG!!!!
That's Shocking!!!
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That is poor.
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Christ, couldn't of been proud of that job when they gave it back to you :sad:
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Take it back and demand they tint your windows as an apology
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Take it back and demand they tint your windows as an apology
Huh!
OP. that in my opinion, is water trapped under the decal, not air bubbles, and is now well beyond retrieval and wants removing asap, to avoid the adhesive having a "contact adhesive" effect. and attaching itself to the fresh paint, and as I've already said, increasing the risk of pulling off the paint! and only the naive think this can't happen!
The decal probably looked good when it was first fitted, but its likely that the water solution has sweated, and expanded upon the decal getting warm in the sunshine.
These decals are better to be fitted dry, the vinyl is quite forgiving, and can be pulled back and re layed into a better alignment position, without fear of tearing it. Air can then eliminated with the edge of the palm of your hand, and laying at the same time... no water to get trapped!
Normally these vinyls can be ordered from various sources, either with, or without the holes for washer jet and wiper, always order the version that has no holes! trying to align the holes only adds to the problem, but holes can very easily be cut out after fitting,
New decals should be fitted 5mm above the swage line radius that runs the width of the tailgate, there are 2 reasons for this, first, it avoids disappointment when the glass is re fitted, and you can still see the colour of the paint between the rubber and the decal! And second, the edge of the vinyl doesn't sit happily on a radius of the swage...
Modern vinyls are far better than what was on offer 20 or so years ago, OE ones used to suffer from shrinkage, and turn brittle with exposure to UV, VW may have cut the vinyl in house, but it would have been supplied from a 3rd party company, so chances are, you are now buying a far superior product
Here's a pic of mine, I fitted it about 7 years ago, and is still in perfect condition, again, this decal was fitted "Dry", and the holes cut afterwards, I also would have left the vinyl to settle maybe a day or two to "settle" before fitting te wiper grommet and nut, lessening the chance of the vinyl twisting up on itself when the nut is tightened...
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/thom62/null_zps5303d8db.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/thom62/media/null_zps5303d8db.jpg.html)
Hope some of the above helps, but please don't run your car looking like an unfinished GTI :sad:
Thom
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My apologies for trying to have a sense of humour on a Saturday night with the window tinting comment.
Straight over your head that one.
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I would take it back to them to sort out. they should be able to supply you with a factory fresh repair. if not you should get a full refund off them and take your business elsewhere. don't put it off or you will be kicking yourself forever more. you paid good money for a mess so don't stand for it.
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IMO, take it back and get them to sort it - Properly.
Thats not air trapped it's moisture... and won't dissipate, it needs sorting asap...
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ah jade green mk2. best colour ever. got 1 of them myself festering away up north sigh.
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comes about 4th on my list...
Tornado Red
BBM 2nd
Schwartz Black
Jade Green
Atlas Grey..
Got 1, 2 3 & 5 just missing a Jade green... from my collection...
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comes about 4th on my list...
Tornado Red
BBM 2nd
Schwartz Black
Jade Green
Atlas Grey..
Shocking you posted that list wrong way around! :evil:
Sorry OP get your money back do not let anyone else try and fix that that paint is too soft for it to come off cleanly!
Got 1, 2 3 & 5 just missing a Jade green... from my collection...
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jade green and then atlas grey. oh and there is 1 other dark bluey green colour that's looks smart. not a fan of oak though.
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Good news! I finally got my car back from a different bodyshop, and the decal's come off without damaging the paint underneath. They said it was difficult to get off, though. Cost me less than £50, so I'm happy.
Thanks everyone for your replies which let me know it really was as bad as I thought it was! And thank you Thom for all your advice. I'm afraid it's an unfinished GTi now, but for the moment I can't face putting another decal on it.
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Good news! I finally got my car back from a different bodyshop, and the decal's come off without damaging the paint underneath. They said it was difficult to get off, though. Cost me less than £50, so I'm happy.
Thanks everyone for your replies which let me know it really was as bad as I thought it was! And thank you Thom for all your advice. I'm afraid it's an unfinished GTi now, but for the moment I can't face putting another decal on it.
Good news! glad you got it sorted :cool:
Thom