GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: brian1983 on 26 August 2021, 19:58
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Hi all, I need some help with a problem I have with a 7.5 GTI I just got. There’s strange white stains on the black plastic elements of the front bumper. It’s worst on the grilles around the fog lights. I’ve tried GTECHNIQ C4 trim restorer and it made it better but it’s still noticeable. I’m wondering if there’s any way to remove the stains.
Alternatively I might need to replace all the black plastic elements. Does anyone have a full part list for these parts. I’ve found the fog light surround, the grille fins around the fog lights, the hexagon central grille in the bottom. I’m not sure what the part number for the central black strip on the bottom of the bumper though. I know this will be a PITA but it’s bothering me.
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Have you tried a mild cutting compound ? C4 will only put a coating over the stain.
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You mean like a compound that you’d use on paint? Will that work on plastic?
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Sounds like it might have been caused by harsh cleaning products that have reacted with the gloss plastic trim and etched into the surface. Quite often, the black plastic wheel bolt covers on the locking wheel bolts will take on a faded appearance if an acid based wheel cleaner has been used.
If you’ve only just got the car, it’s unlikely you’ll know what products have been used to clean it. If it’s been treated to a regular cleaning at one of the many Eastern European hand wash places, then it’s likely harsh products will have been used. Time is money to those places, so the quicker they can remove the dirt, the more cars they can wash which equals more ££££‘s.
I was gong to suggest Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer or Gyeon Q2 Trim, but as you’ve already tried one of these, then a plastic trim / dressing product might not give you the results you’re looking for. Machine polishing would normally help remove etching but as the parts on your car that need attention are likely to be very difficult (or impossible?) to access with a machine polisher, then that probably isn’t an option. You could try hand polishing with an appropriate cutting compound. Sorry, can’t help with the part numbers, but hopefully there’s a forum member who’ll come along soon who can.
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I’m going to give this a go and see how it goes. https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEGUIARS-M-3916-Mirror-Glaze-Cleaner/dp/B0000AY3SX If this doesn’t work I may just have to bite the bullet and get new trim.
It seems to be concentrated under the headlight washers, I wonder if the previous owner put something too harsh in with the water. I’m going to try an APC again but with a toothbrush this time and see how I get on.
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You mean like a compound that you’d use on paint? Will that work on plastic?
Yes. You could try autoglym super resin polish first and easy to buy. It’s very very mild. Just use by hand with a microfibre cloth.
Without going to a detailing company, you can get other mild cutting compounds from Halfords. Worth having for removing minor scratches from paintwork in the future too !
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Could you get them taken for and resprayed gloss black would that be an option
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If it's the textured plastic don't used any polish or compound on them, you'll be left with polish on them instead.
Please post pictures of affected areas, white stains could be anything from dried polish to acid damage.
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If it's the textured plastic don't used any polish or compound on them, you'll be left with polish on them instead.
Please post pictures of affected areas, white stains could be anything from dried polish to acid damage.
I believe you’re right - I think the mk7.5 GTI black trim pieces are textured plastic. I was thinking of the mk7.5 R where the black plastic trim pieces are gloss black.
Agree - using polish or compound on textured plastic would be a bad idea. I got some on one of the textured sill extensions on my previous car and it was a real pig to remove.
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If it's the textured plastic don't used any polish or compound on them, you'll be left with polish on them instead.
Please post pictures of affected areas, white stains could be anything from dried polish to acid damage.
I believe you’re right - I think the mk7.5 GTI black trim pieces are textured plastic. I was thinking of the mk7.5 R where the black plastic trim pieces are gloss black.
Agree - using polish or compound on textured plastic would be a bad idea. I got some on one of the textured sill extensions on my previous car and it was a real pig to remove.
Apologies, I thought the trim was similar to smooth piano black on the 7.5
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As it’s a textured trim, I’d use apc (all purpose cleaner) and agitate with a brush and let sit for a couple of minutes.
Can you provide a photo of the white stain ? Could it be a water spot stain ?
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Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, I’m away at the moment but when I get home at the weekend I’ll upload some pictures. Before I put on the C4 trim restorer I used an APC and agitated it using one of those detailing brushes. I’m going to repeat that but use a toothbrush this time.
I don’t think is water stains as it would of come out by now I would of thought. I’ve been online looking around and it looks like I can replace all the parts for about €160 which isn’t that bad really. The only part I don’t like is how difficult it would be to remove all that trim. But, if I have to do it for it to be right then I’ll do it.
I’ve been looking at this website to get the parts; https://www.lllparts.co.uk/_/product/vent-grille/mpn/5G0853677AF/. I’ve been using this site to get the part numbers but I’ll need to find an EU site to get the parts as I’m in Ireland. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great.
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Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, I’m away at the moment but when I get home at the weekend I’ll upload some pictures. Before I put on the C4 trim restorer I used an APC and agitated it using one of those detailing brushes. I’m going to repeat that but use a toothbrush this time.
I don’t think is water stains as it would of come out by now I would of thought. I’ve been online looking around and it looks like I can replace all the parts for about €160 which isn’t that bad really. The only part I don’t like is how difficult it would be to remove all that trim. But, if I have to do it for it to be right then I’ll do it.
I’ve been looking at this website to get the parts; https://www.lllparts.co.uk/_/product/vent-grille/mpn/5G0853677AF/. I’ve been using this site to get the part numbers but I’ll need to find an EU site to get the parts as I’m in Ireland. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great.
Water marks can be extremely stubborn at times. You could try vinegar to see if it helps but hopefully it will be clearer once you’ve had a chance to take photos.
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Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, I’m away at the moment but when I get home at the weekend I’ll upload some pictures. Before I put on the C4 trim restorer I used an APC and agitated it using one of those detailing brushes. I’m going to repeat that but use a toothbrush this time.
It sounds like it's just polish/compound from the previous owner/dealership, I take that you got the car recently?
Use a steam cleaner & microfibre on them, it will take the polish off.
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Yeah, I got it about a month ago and the dealer must of used a dressing to hide the stains. I’ll try the steam cleaner too, the more I throw at it the better chance I have.
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Photos of staining, I’m going to try the steam cleaner later today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YSr01fbX/8-D77355-D-F007-4785-98-C5-F93-F8-A92-BE36.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XrPnWFMF)
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Now I’ve seen it, I’d say it looks like polish. Have you got any panel wipe ?
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I’ve just spent the last 25 mins using a pencil eraser and it’s seems to have worked. I’m just waiting to see if it comes back. But fingers crossed it’ll hold, I used a steam cleaner with a microfibre cloth but that didn’t seem to have any effect. What brand of panel cleaner would you recommend?
I’ll post pictures when later to let everyone know what it turned out like.
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This is what I use before applying any wax or ceramic coating. It will strip most things from paintwork and trim. Especially polish ! Worth investing in for the future.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-X-U-POL-SYSTEM-20-S2001-FAST-PANELWIPE-DEGREASER-5L-Panel-wipe-Upol-/174043144604?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
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This is what I’ve managed after about 30mins with a white pencil eraser.
(https://i.postimg.cc/htBspDPv/27021455-6756-4354-BE7-B-C79-F02-BE7-BC1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mtm7rG9W)
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This is what I’ve managed after about 30mins with a white pencil eraser.
(https://i.postimg.cc/htBspDPv/27021455-6756-4354-BE7-B-C79-F02-BE7-BC1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mtm7rG9W)
That looks really good, you must be happy with that
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Thanks, I am, I think it was as good as I could of hoped for. I’m just glad I don’t have to replace all the trim as that would be a pain.
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Hi all, I need some help with a problem I have with a 7.5 GTI I just got. There’s strange white stains on the black plastic elements of the front bumper.
I know many pedestrian guys get very excited when they stop and admire our parked GTi's, but this is ridiculous!
Lol I hope humour is allowed...
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Hi all, I need some help with a problem I have with a 7.5 GTI I just got. There’s strange white stains on the black plastic elements of the front bumper.
I know many pedestrian guys get very excited when they stop and admire our parked GTi's, but this is ridiculous!
Lol I hope humour is allowed...
:embarrassed: I thought it was seagulls...