As a newbie i look forward to the usual harassment about the 'search' facility. I DID try (honest) but part of the problem is i dont know quite how to describe what i am talking about

The new car has this kind of plate, which may or may not be metal, somewhere near where the cill meets the beginning of the rear wheel arch. On one side it blends in very well but on the other it looks like it has glue residue or something in it, and looks pretty naff to be honest. I have seen in on quite a few Octavias so wondered if it is a common thing - should i care, etc? Is there anything i can do to make it less visible/blend in like the other side?

Someone said it looked like it might be a sticket, not a metal plate at all and suggested peeling it off but i'm scared in case i regret it (paint may be faded round it, might not be fully painted underneath, etc etc etc)

carefully peel it off and buy a new set (may be easier with a hairdryer or someone else will be along to offer an easier way of getting it off the car)

Part numbers are in this thread - http://briskoda.net/octavia-ii/part-request/114717/

Yep, warm it with a gentle sweep of a hair dryer to free up glue (do not heat up too much or too close or it will melt!)

Carefully peel with fingers sweeping the remaining sticker and the peel line (in the "V" where it is still attached from) with hair dryer.

It is a sticker, like "armorfend" that resists stone chipping.

PS - is the residue just white polish? The edge of the sticker can retain dried polish if not buffed firmly enough. Just brushing away the residue with a tooth brush etc may make it look better.

It's a sticker put on the paint to protect it from stones flying when you spin the front wheels.

mine gets the white edge look from when its cleaned,. just needs as mentioned a tooth brush or tissue and carefully wipe it away.

Mine is starting to bubble away partially on one side after washing the car on a hot day.

Thanks all for your help. I pick the car up this weekend and will try the toothbrush trick first. If it is too bad and needs removing completely then i might just see how it looks without it - in all my years of driving i can't remember ever having gotten a stone chip on the rear cill* so would probably rather just not have it than have to worry about maintaining it to be honest. :thumbdwn:

*Then again, i always said that i'n never known anyone have a blow out in a car until the Mrs did last year sometime!

You will see a lot of cars with these on in similar locations, I have had 3 or 4 these last few years. If you are getting the car from a dealer, get them to clean or replace it, failing that get them to give you a free replacement set so you can replace them yourself.

I would be very dubious about taking them off, they are there for a reason..... cars are tested in wind tunnels etc and they obviously think that there is a weak spot there for stones been thrown up from the front wheels.

Steve