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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: John W on 29 October 2013, 17:36

Title: Arch removal
Post by: John W on 29 October 2013, 17:36
Guys
Respray is looming for my Son's GTI and I want to remove the plastics beforehand. Are the arches just held on by the rivets in the lip or are they fixed or bonded in any other way?
Cheers.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: andy_k on 29 October 2013, 18:20
plastic rivets on the lip
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: VW BUSH on 29 October 2013, 19:27
Can of worms :grin:
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: spikenipple on 29 October 2013, 19:32
The rivets are metal, and on some (the later models?) cars they're glued on in the middle of the arch too.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: boneybradley on 29 October 2013, 20:52
metal rivets (still available from vw for the silly price of 16p per rivet (I suppose they are black coloured).

just make sure you use a small small drill otherwise you will have issues riveting them back on
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: John W on 30 October 2013, 06:21
Thanks. So are they glued as well, as someone suggested?
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: boneybradley on 30 October 2013, 08:41
my last 95 model and the current anniversary are/were not glued
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Callum_K on 30 October 2013, 16:11
From the factory they are not glued, riveted only, 100%. Doesn't mean they haven't been off at some point and stuck back on with something else though...

PS Let us know how rusty it is under there!
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Wayne on 30 October 2013, 16:35
If your going to the trouble / expense of a respray then maybe think about leaving them off.

Will look loads cleaner / smoother.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Leroy on 30 October 2013, 20:52
It's a hell of a lot easier to tiger seal them back on than riveting them back on, hence why a lot are glued back on
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CJA321 on 31 October 2013, 00:20
It's a hell of a lot easier to tiger seal them back on than riveting them back on, hence why a lot are glued back on

rough as fook haha!
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: arran.concept on 31 October 2013, 00:40
Upon my removal of arch trim on wings and rear, then spiralled into two new rear arches being welded in and two new wings being fitted lol, poor design causing them trim to hold water unfortunately :/ on the up side I personally think the mk3 looks cleaner without the arch trim :)
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Leroy on 31 October 2013, 16:28
And you've all seen my arches on Dub rides, led to me selling the bloody thing!!! I wouldn;t buy another mk3 or any other car for that matter with plastic arches on.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: VW BUSH on 31 October 2013, 17:18
And you've all seen my arches on Dub rides, led to me selling the bloody thing!!! I wouldn;t buy another mk3 or any other car for that matter with plastic arches on.
LoL you should try owning an XR2 even the paint hides rust let alone the plastic arches :laugh:
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Screech16v on 04 November 2013, 14:16
And you've all seen my arches on Dub rides, led to me selling the bloody thing!!! I wouldn;t buy another mk3 or any other car for that matter with plastic arches on.
LoL you should try owning an XR2 even the paint hides rust let alone the plastic arches :laugh:

Too true!  :grin: :grin: :grin: especially d reg
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 07 November 2013, 14:46
I'm considering de-arching my gti. I'm well aware of the problems that are lurking underneath them. Problem I do have is finding CL/GL side mouldings, what I was thinking of doing is cutting off the end pieces of the front arch trim. Anyone tried this?
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Foreveryoungaus16v on 07 November 2013, 20:03
Keep the Gti how the Gti is meant to be kept. Hence keep all trim.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 07 November 2013, 20:06
Don't fancy repairing the rot again once I've got it sorted.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Foreveryoungaus16v on 07 November 2013, 21:04
If your trim does not need to be taken off keep it on
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 07 November 2013, 21:08
It doesn't need to come off, passenger side front one has. It's currently held on by double sided sticky pads. Wings rotted through.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 07 November 2013, 21:09
Plenty of poverty spec CL & GL mk3s sitting in the scrapyards.  Its where I sourced my last two sets of door strips. I may have some for sale next week as well.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 07 November 2013, 21:11
Going to hopefully look at breakers tomorrow, pass. front wing and side mouldings.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Wayne on 07 November 2013, 23:59
Going to hopefully look at breakers tomorrow, pass. front wing and side mouldings.

Or look for ventos, they are the same as a golf
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 08 November 2013, 00:01
Got a lead on a CL in derby from a mk3 page on Facebook.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Wayne on 08 November 2013, 00:05
Got a lead on a CL in derby from a mk3 page on Facebook.

You will need the door trims as well.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 08 November 2013, 00:06
I know. Hopefully the breakers has them if not I'll find some.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Wayne on 08 November 2013, 00:11
I know. Hopefully the breakers has them if not I'll find some.

I would also recommend new clips from the dealers, ebay ones are hopeless.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 08 November 2013, 00:11
Cheers
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Wayne on 08 November 2013, 00:13
Cheers

Good luck in the search.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 08 November 2013, 16:35
No front wing. Did get some hella quads tho  :smiley:
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Gti_Jamo on 08 November 2013, 16:56
On a more positive note, my arches were spotless upon removal of the plastics. Left them off and fitted cl side mouldings but with textured bumper tops, de-arching looks pretty gash to be honest. Mines rolls with its arches back on now.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 08 November 2013, 17:03
I'm probably going to put my arch back on when I get the new wing. Whatever's hiding under the other three can stay hidden.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Foreveryoungaus16v on 08 November 2013, 18:18
On a more positive note, my arches were spotless upon removal of the plastics. Left them off and fitted cl side mouldings but with textured bumper tops, de-arching looks pretty gash to be honest. Mines rolls with its arches back on now.

De arching does look gash
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 08 November 2013, 18:31
Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I like them with or without.
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: CraigBest on 25 November 2013, 14:23
Going with the tiger seal, any advice on the key areas where to apply it on the arch covers?
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: reddunk on 23 January 2014, 22:59
is it not best to rivet them back on. just had one fall of due it being stuck on.  :angry:
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Screech16v on 23 January 2014, 23:06
If they are stuck on properly then there would be no problem  :whistle:
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: boneybradley on 24 January 2014, 00:00
Rivets as the mess tigerseal leaves behind is impossible to get off!!!

(plus for 16 black correct vw spec/odd size rivets it's only £3 at oemandmore.co.uk  :wink: )
Title: Re: Arch removal
Post by: Callum_K on 27 January 2014, 10:26
Rivets are all well and good, unless you've had the arches rolled! I use PU40 adhesive from Toolstation...exactly the same as Tiger Seal etc but only £2.50!