External Window Seals Discoloured and Cleaning

[Jackie Treehorn]

Hi

The external window seals on the 3 door we have are a kind of matt finish and they appear to have discoloured in an uneven pattern, probably due to snow foam or car wash shampoo etc.  I have tried various plastic trim cleaners over the last year and a APC (all Purpose cleaner) mix but nothing seems to return them to a uniformed matt finish once dry.  Does anyone have any ideas?

Any help much appreciated

[Booth11]

Hi

The external window seals on the 3 door we have are a kind of matt finish and they appear to have discoloured in an uneven pattern, probably due to snow foam or car wash shampoo etc.  I have tried various plastic trim cleaners over the last year and a APC (all Purpose cleaner) mix but nothing seems to return them to a uniformed matt finish once dry.  Does anyone have any ideas?

Any help much appreciated

I expect this thread will be moved to the detailing section  anyway but external trim was recently discussed very briefly http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=274783.msg2533854#msg2533854

I find the window seals on Golf's terrible for marking, mk7 trim is even worse ha the mk6 was.  As said in that thread, it one area where haven't come across a definitive weekly restorer but a very good permanent restorer for external trim, including window seals is Gtechniq C4.  I used this to great effect on my previous car, and when the time comes will use it on the R as well.  Works well on all plastic trim and rubber seals.  It's not cheap but you only use very little amounts so a bottle lasts a long time.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/gtechniq-c4-permanent-trim-restorer/prod_851.html

For a less permanent solution I Aerospace 303 is good (great for engine bay too) and Auto Finesse Dressle.

One product I would NOT recommend,that regularly gets mentioned for rubber window seals is Gummi Pflege.  Whilst it can be used on seals and does a reasonable, the effect is very temporary and the minute it rains it runs al down your paintwork and is a pita to remove.

[Jackie Treehorn]

Thanks for the reply and link

Have looked at the C4 a few times but put off by the price and whether it would cure the weird pattern emerging on the seals. I tried various AG products but they don't seem to touch it.  I thought it might just need deep cleaning but APC doesn't do anything, might wait for others to tackle the issue try some C4 and check out some VAG forums for ideas too.

[Wo-Wo]

My bro had the same trouble on his M3 so I sorted it with this stuff.

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/wolfs-chemicals-nano-trim-sealant-trim-coat-150ml.php?manufacturers_id=71&osCsid=qceeue3828v3s27vo5r52iqd33

There are some sample sizes available on some websites and it goes quite a long way so one of those might do the job.

[Jackie Treehorn]

found this earlier

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=321584

(just in case anyone else is looking for the same in future)

[Booth11]

found this earlier

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=321584

(just in case anyone else is looking for the same in future)

So CarPro DLUX then?  Looks to be very much along the lines of C4. Let us know how it fares if you use it. 

[Jackie Treehorn]

Not sure which to go for, but will try 1 of them in the next few weeks if this cold damp island we live on ever show sign of getting warmer...

[kalimon]

I'm saving up for some of this http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/swissvax-seal-feed.html

Might take me a while as it's hellishly expensive for what it is but is supposed to be the dogs.

[Jackie Treehorn]

update.

Tried the CarPro DLUX a couple of weeks ago and it worked perfectly.  It produces a very black satin sheen to the rubber and has completely masked the matt/faded and blotchy rubber trim around the windows. it now looks black permanently and appears like its just been treated every time I approach the car.

The instructions are very basic: apply, leave for 10mins, wipe off.  No indication of whether it can be done in direct sun light or not, either way it worked fine in both conditions as it was patchy sunshine and cloud all day.  After reading about applying it on another forum, some people buff straight away some leave for a little time.  I tried both methods and think they work equally well as long as you don't apply to much.  If you do simply distribute as you buff, but do it straight away.

To give you an idea of usage, I only have the rear lower exhaust trim panel to do with 1/2 of the bottle remaining this probably indicates I applied too much in general, but as its designed to last a year or more I don't mind the expense.

I tend to look after my cars in general so with the car garaged and only 11k miles after 2 years, its not like its been sitting out in all weathers, but the trim has now been made to look better than new..

[Booth11]

update.

Tried the CarPro DLUX a couple of weeks ago and it worked perfectly.  It produces a very black satin sheen to the rubber and has completely masked the matt/faded and blotchy rubber trim around the windows. it now looks black permanently and appears like its just been treated every time I approach the car.

The instructions are very basic: apply, leave for 10mins, wipe off.  No indication of whether it can be done in direct sun light or not, either way it worked fine in both conditions as it was patchy sunshine and cloud all day.  After reading about applying it on another forum, some people buff straight away some leave for a little time.  I tried both methods and think they work equally well as long as you don't apply to much.  If you do simply distribute as you buff, but do it straight away.

To give you an idea of usage, I only have the rear lower exhaust trim panel to do with 1/2 of the bottle remaining this probably indicates I applied too much in general, but as its designed to last a year or more I don't mind the expense.

I tend to look after my cars in general so with the car garaged and only 11k miles after 2 years, its not like its been sitting out in all weathers, but the trim has now been made to look better than new..

Glad you got it sorted and good to know there's another trim restorer out there that does the job. I have a new bottle of Gtechiniq C4, that which does the same thing as DLUX, although I buff it off immediately. I''ll be doing my window seals with that at next full detail in May.