I've noticed quite a bit of ponding rain on the 'boot' part of the hatchback. The rear edge has an upturned lip so with my slightly sloping drive there's no way water would find a route over it. Even though there's a downward curve toward the edges, water seems to stay in the centre. So far it isn't very windy and the water has flowed obediently into the side channels, but only a matter of time before it's blown into the boot when I open the hatch.

I could do with something more of a wetting agent than 'proofer', just for that flatish area of the hatchback. I know some of the 'clear glass' products will do that, but are they OK for paintwork?

My drive is on a slight slope too & I've got this issue mastered to a fine art!

Unlock the boot as normal, open it just enough so it's slightly higher than flat... hold it there for 2-3 seconds & the water to pours off the hatch & into the side channels... then just let the hatch open all the way! Not a drop of water enters the boot...

Simples!

I did try that, but there's still quite side gap opened, before the water starts to move off the flattish part. It will definitely blow inside once the winds get up here. Maybe the 'showroom' finish is working *too* well ATM and keeping the water 'beaded up' for longer than normal.

I may try a loop of thin clothing elastic to see if it will 'wick' any standing water toward the edges, for now. Alternatively opening the hatch slightly, then closing it again briskly may 'shock' enough of the water off the surfaces to do the trick.

Make sure there is pleanty of a good quality wax on there, I'd recommend one from the Collinite range or Victoria Concours Red.

Most of the water will then bead off by itself or sit on the surface causing no damage. Then it's just a case of opening the boot gently to let any remaining beads of water roll off

Can't you just park the car the other way round so that it slopes the other way ?

Can't you just park the car the other way round so that it slopes the other way ?

I did consider that but my drive is easier to back-out than to back-in. Also the prevailing winds would tend to blow into the engine compartment. ATM it's quite sheltered this way round.

...don't you just hate it when somebody comes along with a straight forward solution?

For me, no, I can't! I like my car facing the house - so I can look out of any of the front windows & admire it's gorgeous, beautiful looks!

Only trying to be helpful guys but I can understand that you have overiding priorities

The simple answer is to install a speed bump on your drive and park with a set of wheels on it.

Or grab a local cat and use it to mop the puddle up.

The simple answer is to install a speed bump on your drive and park with a set of wheels on it.

Or grab a local cat and use it to mop the puddle up.

I have an all-plastic squeegie somewhere, which I could use to clear the rear glass and 'gently' on the 'bootback'.. If it becomes much of a problem I'll hunt it out and keep it inside the car.

I have an all-plastic squeegie somewhere, which I could use to clear the rear glass and 'gently' on the 'bootback'.. If it becomes much of a problem I'll hunt it out and keep it inside the car.

Just don't keep it in your boot ! Doh! :P

I find the whole design of the Octavia is prone to letting water into the interior. Just opening a car door will cause beaded water on the roof to pour inside onto the seats. Bring back cars with roof gutters I say.

Just don't keep it in your boot ! Doh! :P

I find the whole design of the Octavia is prone to letting water into the interior. Just opening a car door will cause beaded water on the roof to pour inside onto the seats. Bring back cars with roof gutters I say.

I've not noticed water running in from the roof (yet), sometimes a liitle bit goes into the boot if I open the tailgate but what I have noticed is that after I've washed the car then when I open the doors quite a bit of water runs out from a drainage hole in the underside of the door. Presumably this is not a problem as long as it doesn't fill up and the hole doesn't get clogged up (I just hope the speakers in the door ar protected).

Also does anyone know what the small plate is for on the underside of the door which slots into a hole in the vertical part of the sill. Is it just for the sensor that detects if the door is closed although they're only on the front doors.

On a slightly different matter...

Park with your bootlid open, and wait for it to rain heavily for an hour. Now close the boot, and Hey Presto! A free shower, courtesy of the numberplate recess.

On a slightly different matter...

Park with your bootlid open, and wait for it to rain heavily for an hour. Now close the boot, and Hey Presto! A free shower, courtesy of the numberplate recess.

With the added feature of a swimming pool inside your car too which must be next years must have accessory

With the added feature of a swimming pool inside your car too which must be next years must have accessory

I already have the jacuzzi, I find it I can't use that at the same time as the pool! For anyone else wishing to use the jacuzzi, fill the spare wheel recess with water, and release the air from the spare tyre!

On a slightly different matter...

Park with your bootlid open, and wait for it to rain heavily for an hour. Now close the boot, and Hey Presto! A free shower, courtesy of the numberplate recess.

Yes, did exactly that a few months ago when camping in Dorset. We were in the most torrential downpour in Dorchester. I was getting all the wet weather gear out of the boot for the wife and kids. I was wearing a rain coat and wellies. When I passed all the stuff into the car for the others I weent to close the boot. Said water that had collected in the numberplate recess was now all down the front of my trousers and sloshing about inside my wellies. It only got worse later on and by the end of the day we were all completely soaked. Oh the joys of camping

Yes, did exactly that a few months ago when camping in Dorset. We were in the most torrential downpour in Dorchester. I was getting all the wet weather gear out of the boot for the wife and kids. I was wearing a rain coat and wellies. When I passed all the stuff into the car for the others I weent to close the boot. Said water that had collected in the numberplate recess was now all down the front of my trousers and sloshing about inside my wellies. It only got worse later on and by the end of the day we were all completely soaked. Oh the joys of camping

:rofl:

Mine was at a boot fair - had to hold the umbrella over the valuables whilst SWMBO huddled under the bootlid. Guess who had to pack away the wet stuff and close the boot

Erm, slam it shut from the side, perhaps?