GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => Detailing => Topic started by: Mike J on 30 September 2016, 15:01
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Hi guys,
On the Mk7 there is a black plastic panel between the front and back windows.
Ive been told this panel is very susceptible to scratch damage, even a money spider walking across it causes scratches it seems :shocked:
Today I examined three new Mk7's (all awaiting handover) and all had horizontal and/or vertical scratches on one or both of these plastic panels.
So, now do I protect this panel from scratches?
And/or
Has anyone found a solution to this problem or complained to Germany about it?
Thanks in advance.
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Mike - some corrective tips on a previous thread:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=278377.0
No idea on your other points, perhaps a clear wrap? Can't say I've noticed too many issues with mine, maybe I'm just not looking!
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Hi guys,
On the Mk7 there is a black plastic panel between the front and back windows.
Ive been told this panel is very susceptible to scratch damage, even a money spider walking across it causes scratches it seems :shocked:
Today I examined three new Mk7's (all awaiting handover) and all had horizontal and/or vertical scratches on one or both of these plastic panels.
So, now do I protect this panel from scratches?
And/or
Has anyone found a solution to this problem or complained to Germany about it?
Thanks in advance.
If you mean the black plastic B pillars, you won't stop them from scratching. They are the most vulnerable part of the car for picking up swirls and scratches very easily (along with the black gloss plastic side inserts on the boot lid). All you can do is protect them with a good sealant/wax and correct them once/twice a year with polishing, either by hand, or preferably by DA. Watts has already linked to a thread with some guidance on correction.
You could put a clear wrap in to protect them, plenty on the market.
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Black gloss trims are the bain of my life! As Bec says you'll never completely stop them marring. Just put plenty of protection on them and then machine them a couple of times a year.
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Yes that right its the shinney black plastic B pillars.
So the bottom line is nothing can stop them scratching and the almighty VW conglomorate hasnt come up with a solution/changed them for something more durable.
Im wondering why anyone hasn't complained to Wolfsburg?
Cannot believe German buyers are to pleased about it either?
Very odd
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Can't see too much to complain about, as I said, I haven't had any obvious problems with them. The whole car is going to get marks on it from normal use, don't see those parts as any different.
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Can't see too much to complain about, as I said, I haven't had any obvious problems with them. The whole car is going to get marks on it from normal use, don't see those parts as any different.
My 'problem' if it is a problem, is that Im going from never ever cleaning a car, to a post PDI pre-handover Full Detailing by a Top Professional, the car is even being delivered to the detailer by the dealer without anything being removed or cleaned (following Booth 11 advice).
My thinking is that if Im spending the best part of half a grand on making my new car look its very best why should I have to suffer what seem to be unavoidable scratches in the B pillars.
As for marks 'in normal use' I will not be cleaning the car at all, its something I just dont do.
Instead I have decided to return it to the detailer each time the clocks change for a complete 'wash and polish (or whatever) and as such I dont want to give him a problem (with these B pillars) if they can be avoided.
Just a thought;
The last car I fussed over was promptly written off by a Corsair that jumped the lights.
OMG 🤔
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Blimey, amazed that a Corsair could muster enough momentum to write another car off :laugh:
If you intend to get you car to the detailer each time for a wash and polish then I can't see any bother with the plastic on the b-posts. You detailer will be able to maintain their finish easily enough.
Sounds like your new car is going to be looked after very well.
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Can't see too much to complain about, as I said, I haven't had any obvious problems with them. The whole car is going to get marks on it from normal use, don't see those parts as any different.
My 'problem' if it is a problem, is that Im going from never ever cleaning a car, to a post PDI pre-handover Full Detailing by a Top Professional, the car is even being delivered to the detailer by the dealer without anything being removed or cleaned (following Booth 11 advice).
My thinking is that if Im spending the best part of half a grand on making my new car look its very best why should I have to suffer what seem to be unavoidable scratches in the B pillars.
As for marks 'in normal use' I will not be cleaning the car at all, its something I just dont do.
Instead I have decided to return it to the detailer each time the clocks change for a complete 'wash and polish (or whatever) and as such I dont want to give him a problem (with these B pillars) if they can be avoided.
Just a thought;
The last car I fussed over was promptly written off by a Corsair that jumped the lights.
OMG 🤔
If you are going to only have it cleaned and polished by the detailer when the clocks change then you have nothing to worry about on the B pillar front as the polish will take care of them. In the meantime get used to having a dirty car for long periods in between. It might be largely devoid of swirls due to the initial detail and occasional follow up details but if you can't see it under the dirt then but of a waste of cash IMO. Takes the 'no touch' approach to the extreme.
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So the bottom line is nothing can stop them scratching and the almighty VW conglomorate hasnt come up with a solution/changed them for something more durable.
My B7 Passat has a much more durable plastic trim that has more of a matt finish. After 5 years and 70k miles, there is not a mark, unlike my Golf.
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[quote author=Booth11 If you are going to only have it cleaned and polished by the detailer when the clocks change then you have nothing to worry about on the B pillar front as the polish will take care of them. In the meantime get used to having a dirty car for long periods in between. It might be largely devoid of swirls due to the initial detail and occasional follow up details but if you can't see it under the dirt then but of a waste of cash IMO. Takes the 'no touch' approach to the extreme.
[/quote]
My Father was a very senior manager for a major car producer and he would never allow me to leave a dirty car outside the house.
That kind of treatment gets into your very soul and is why over forty years later I hardly ever clean any my cars to this very day, my last Golf I only cleaned twice in the 8 years I owned it, the dealers, before services, and God provided what cleaning it required.
However I am preparred to 'see how it goes' and if it does get REALLY dirty I will ask Tim at Envy for 'guidance' :smiley:
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[quote author=Booth11 If you are going to only have it cleaned and polished by the detailer when the clocks change then you have nothing to worry about on the B pillar front as the polish will take care of them. In the meantime get used to having a dirty car for long periods in between. It might be largely devoid of swirls due to the initial detail and occasional follow up details but if you can't see it under the dirt then but of a waste of cash IMO. Takes the 'no touch' approach to the extreme.
My Father was a very senior manager for a major car producer and he would never allow me to leave a dirty car outside the house.
That kind of treatment gets into your very soul and is why over forty years later I hardly ever clean any my cars to this very day, my last Golf I only cleaned twice in the 8 years I owned it, the dealers, before services, and God provided what cleaning it required.
However I am preparred to 'see how it goes' and if it does get REALLY dirty I will ask Tim at Envy for 'guidance' :smiley:
[/quote]
Lol. Fair enough. :smiley: But this is the detailing section, and by default you tend to the find people knocking about in here like to clean their cars regularly. :laugh:
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[quote author=Booth11
Lol. Fair enough. :smiley: But this is the detailing section, and by default you tend to the find people knocking about in here like to clean their cars regularly. :laugh:
[/quote]
Okay, Im now preparred to admit I really like the clean surface on the car.
After a couple of weeks looking at it all shiney and gleaming it really is very very impressive.
So, how exactly do I keep the exterior surface of the car clean?
Washing, yes but how exactly, new bucket, cloths and spanges I can do no problem, but do I use hot, tepid or cold water, a hose or buckets from the tap, what do I use a a cleaner (obviously Fairy liquid is out).
FYI the car stands out on the drive when not in use.
On a similar note, a visit to the dealers the other day revealed they had installed a demo car with one half finished with their much publicised Autogleam service (£350&?hr) and the other just 'cleaned' (whatever that means).
I stopped and ran the back of my finger over the 'polished' surface then the unpolished area and to be completely honest it was very hard to tell the difference.
I cannot help wondering if this a direct response to the possible loss of revenue should more new car owners consider choosing the Professional Detailing option (£450&2days) and when I questioned the salesman why they were doing it, he had the good grace to be slightly embarrassed.
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Okay, Im now preparred to admit I really like the clean surface on the car.
After a couple of weeks looking at it all shiney and gleaming it really is very very impressive.
So, how exactly do I keep the exterior surface of the car clean?
Washing, yes but how exactly, new bucket, cloths and spanges I can do no problem, but do I use hot, tepid or cold water, a hose or buckets from the tap, what do I use a a cleaner (obviously Fairy liquid is out).
FYI the car stands out on the drive when not in use.
On a similar note, a visit to the dealers the other day revealed they had installed a demo car with one half finished with their much publicised Autogleam service (£350&?hr) and the other just 'cleaned' (whatever that means).
I stopped and ran the back of my finger over the 'polished' surface then the unpolished area and to be completely honest it was very hard to tell the difference.
I cannot help wondering if this a direct response to the possible loss of revenue should more new car owners consider choosing the Professional Detailing option (£450&2days) and when I questioned the salesman why they were doing it, he had the good grace to be slightly embarrassed.
Lol. Glad you already are seduced by a clean exterior.
Regarding the cleaning, I refer you to this thread http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=277318.0
Don't be daunted, as you really only need to focus on a basic set of equipment to keep on top of your pro Detail. The most basic set would comprise:
- 3 wash buckets with grit guards - one for washing wheels (always the dirtiest part of the car), one for shampoo for rest of car, and one for rinse water.
- a good wash mitt, preferably a lambswool one (NO SPONGES)
- separate wheel mitt
- a good car shampoo
- good microfibre drying towels.
Doesn't matter what temperature the water is (I use cold, filtered water), but avoid using very hot water, which will wreck your lambswool wash mitt. A pressure washer/hose setup will make life much easier and more effective cleaning, but failing that use a hose.
Lots of other things you can add, such as snow foam, tyre dressing, metal polish for tailpipes, interior dressings, glass cleaners, etc.....see the thread mentioned above for lists of products and recommendations.
Most importantly, look at the guides to washing and drying techniques linked at the end of that thread, as good technique is key to keeping swirls at bay and is perhaps more important than the products that you choose.
Hope this helps.