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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Wrex22 on 17 September 2016, 19:07

Title: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Wrex22 on 17 September 2016, 19:07
Evening  :smiley:

Are the led drls supposed to dim when you switch them to side lights and when the indicator is on ?

And what do people use to treat the black plastics ? Also around the windows the thick rubber bits (I've got a 3 door) never seem to comeup really clean or black  :sad:
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: TurboTrev on 17 September 2016, 19:44
The DRLs dim when I switch my 7R side lights on.  However, on my wife's 7 R-line 1.4TSI which has xenons with drls fitted as a factory extra (so they look the same as GTI and GTD headlights) they don't!
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: EricM on 17 September 2016, 20:02
Autoglym vinyl and rubber care is good for the rubber round the windows and windscreen, best to spray it onto a microfibres cloth then rub it on. Darkens the rubber quite a bit.
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: fergie7 on 17 September 2016, 22:06
Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care is pretty good all round, I find Autoglym Bumper & Trim gel is better on the exterior plastics/rubber though as it lasts longer.

I'm currently using Autofinesse Dressle (interior, the honeycomb grill & for the engine bay) and Autofinesse Revive (exterior trim and the rubber around the windows).  Have previously used Aerospace 303 for the interior and engine bay but I'm now running out and it's more expense so will be using Dressle from now.  There is also Carpro PERL which is supposed to be very good.  Pretty much all of these have some degree of UV protection in them as well.

You really need to get the rubber around the windows cleaned up during washing as they seem to attract and hold onto dirt, I find a diluted water based degreaser (like Bilt Hamber Surfex HD) works well when wiped/worked in with a microfibre cloth.  The stuff is magic and you can use it to tackle most of the stubborn grime everywhere on/in the car at varying dilution ratios.
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Booth11 on 17 September 2016, 22:10
For regular maimtenance of the black plastics and window rubbers, Aerospace 303 is really good for refreshing black plastics/rubber and is my goto product for these.  It's also excellent for the engine bay.  Apply onto a microfibre and apply to plastic exterior trim or work into the rubber, then buff over with a fresh MF.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/303-aerospace-protectant/prod_366.html

I also treat my window rubber when needed (once a year-ish) with Gtechniq Trim Restorer.  Particularly good for bringing back to black when faded.  Easy to apply with the supplied application pads.

Another similar product which does the same and has good feedback from detailing enthusiasts is CarPro DLUX

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/gtechniq-c4-permanent-trim-restorer/prod_851.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/exterior-trim-plastic-care/carpro-dlux-sealant-kit/prod_1103.html

The latter is also brilliant for wheels and wheel arches etc.  Both need to be applied to very clean trim/rubber.  I use Gtechniq Panel Wipe prior to applying to remove any residues on the rubbers.

I've also used AF Dressle and it's ok, but IME Aerospace 303 is better.
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: boydeee on 18 September 2016, 02:42
Evening  :smiley:

Are the led drls supposed to dim when you switch them to side lights and when the indicator is on ?

And what do people use to treat the black plastics ? Also around the windows the thick rubber bits (I've got a 3 door) never seem to comeup really clean or black  :sad:

The DRLs should dim when switching to sidelights or dipped beam. I think they legally have to due to them potentially dazzling other's when it is dark
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Wrex22 on 18 September 2016, 14:32
Thanks, what are the durability of these products like; AF revive and aerospace 303
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Booth11 on 18 September 2016, 23:54
Thanks, what are the durability of these products like; AF revive and aerospace 303

They are not very long lasting (months and months) and need fairly regular top up. 
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Wrex22 on 20 September 2016, 18:23
Thanks

With regard to the LED drls mine don't dim on the side lights setting. Is this right?
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: itavaltalainen on 21 September 2016, 16:35
They should on factory settings. If they don't probably feddled with.
I kept factory setting for DRL at 100%, sidelights up to 70% from 26% factory and 100% for full beam flash.
Set them to dim to 26% when indicators come on thou.
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Wrex22 on 22 September 2016, 13:23
Side lights v no side lights ( not even sure they look that bright in drl mode!)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ywk4dp4f5w9cbcx/Photo%2022-09-2016%2C%201%2023%2003%20pm.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7mvrz360mr60g6/Photo%2022-09-2016%2C%201%2023%2029%20pm.jpg?dl=0

Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: Mark V GTD on 23 September 2016, 12:35
The side lights are a joke, However they are useful in darkening conditions in the city as the tail lights also come on (unlike just relying on the DRL's as the tail lights are off). In that situation increasing the DRL brightness from the factory 26% to about 50% is the ideal set up in my opinion (100% will dazzle other drivers in anything other than normal daylight).
Title: Re: Couple of questions ; DRLs. Black plastic bits
Post by: fergie7 on 23 September 2016, 17:36
Thanks, what are the durability of these products like; AF revive and aerospace 303

Like Booth11 has said they don't last ages and need topping up pretty regularly, the Gtechniq C4 (and CarPro DLUX) she recommended are meant to be excellent and much longer lasting.  I'm either too cheap to buy them or just enjoy cleaning the car too much...

I find the AF Revive / Autoglym Bumper and Trim gel last about 2 months (3 at a push), that's on the wife's daily driver Fiat Punto which sits outside and is pretty neglected in terms of regular cleaning.  AF Dressel and Aerospace 303 last less time on the exterior but are fantastic on the interior trim and in the engine bay. 

The picture below is my brother's Fiesta which had probably never had a clean before. Just did a quick clean with Surfex HD degreaser (diluted 10:1) and a brush and once dry covered with Aerospace 303, even over a year later it still looks pretty good.

(http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag172/Fergie_7/FiestaEngineBay-_zpsoszet2zg.jpg) (http://s1368.photobucket.com/user/Fergie_7/media/FiestaEngineBay-_zpsoszet2zg.jpg.html)