Especially 3m blue, which is used world over for just the job it was used for in this case.

Yep.

 

I was surprised and disappointed they spouted that I should only be using Autoglym and made a big thing of me taking the car unvaleted and doing it myself. So what? What if the dealer had valeted the car and it happened when I did the first valet myself a week later? Would that have been ok??

 

Anyway, the customer services guy said something about looking through the handbook and it saying that you should only used Skoda approved accessories. I blanked that one. Since when does car cleaning products come under accessories? Consumables yes, accessories no.

 

Anyway, just trawled though the online manual myself and NOWHERE does it say to use anything approved by Skoda. It just says only to use car shampoo when washing, wax it as soon as you can and at least every 6 month (with a hard wax), and not to use insect sponges or kitchen scrubbers.

 

So Mr Skoda, what part of that didn't I follow??????????????

 

 

The warranty does state they can replace or rectify. Rectify please. That was my car looks good again and will remain rattle free since the headlining won't be needing replacing. Oh, and it'll be cheaper for them, quicker and get a happy customer back.

 

I actually feel sorry for the dealer as I've since learned they took it on the chin and swapped my cars over with no help from Skoda so far, so they probably stand to loose a fair bit. And now every time they see me they must be thinking "what now!?". 

 

You know, I was saying to my folks the other day, the guys at the dealers are the kind of folk you want to buy a car from. It's just a pity a) you don't buy one very often and b ) I might not be wanting to the next time!

 

I very nearly called to get my settlement figure today and then call the dealer to see what I'd get. But I changed my mind! Probably just as well as I'd only have been disappointed even more!! 

There will be a simple and effective fix to this Mike.

 

Chin up and don't let the small things get you down. They aren't worth it.

 

I'm forever obsessing over small details on my Fabia few other sane humans would ever even notice.

 

Sometimes showing your car some love and getting up close and personal with it can actually leave you feeling worse than when you started.

 

Is there any chance you have caught that area with your buffer?

Not a chance since I don't have one!

 

I only taped the bars up as there are texture plastic parts on the mounting points and I hate getting polish on the plastic. Ironic eh?

 

The paint has honestly come off with the tape and since I wasn't expecting to see primer I (stupidly) assumed it was glue residue from the tape and rubbed some glue/tar remover on it. That's when I realised it was the primer.

 

To be honest the damage I caused doing this is not the point considering the paint thats been lifted by the tape. Either way, for an exterior paint trim panel on a (very) modern car it's pants. It shouldn't happen. Simple as that.

 

 

I can get fixed, it's just disappointing it happened in the first place. 

 

Heres a few pics. 2 of the affected bit and a pic each of the other 3 that are fine. Despite having the tape tape applied.

I know its after the fact but in terms of a "polish" have you tried Cherry Glaze from Autobrite? Here is a photo they posted on facebook yesterday, I use it and yes it does the same job on plastic as panels, no nasty residue and gives a great finish. See detailing world forum for this years 15% discount code.

That does look good. Unfortunately making the trim look good isn't the problem. Keeping the paint on it is!

Might have a look for the discount code though - cheers

I really feel for you. It's a sad fact that honesty really doesn't always pay.  Did they record which ones were damaged? If not, couldn't you say that you had the one that was damaged by tape repaired but now the others have managed to shed their paint? To be honest, they look a bit more textured than mine. You shouldn't be out of pocket for this so you need to fight their decision or cheat... or steal the boot nets from a car on their forecourt as compensation.

Yeah they have pictures of the effected one.

It's not the dealer saying now, it's Skoda UK.

I'm going to email them tomorrow stating my case and quoting the handbook and warranty terms.

I'm also going to suggest they rectify it by means of painting the part rather than taking the car to bits.

If I hadn't mentioned the tar/glue remover it might've not been so much of a problem.

I still can't believe me not letting the dealer valet it was brought up. What difference does that make?!? If it had happened at the dealers they'd have fixed it and Skoda still wouldn't have paid for it.

I'm beginning to wonder how much of a problem they have with their paint finishes. 2 of my calipers have tiny bits that are unpainted which so long as they don't peel I'm not fussed. Aftersales manager said they'd had a few like that and had reported it to skoda.

On a side note. The problems with my original cars paint work on the roof is a particular area the dealer now checks for and has a handful of others with the same problem. Skoda have told them they're the only dealer that has reported it. So that means out of all the cars the Skoda produce only all the faulty ones end up the same dealer. Really?!

Seeing as Skoda aint playing ball you should request the brake calipers are replaced/repaired......but you'd settle for roof bar touch up.

Well lengthy polite yet forceful email sent to Skoda today (after several attempts due the attachments putting it over the size the email system accepts!).

 

We'll see what they come back with but I did suggest rectifying the paint by repainting it as I don't really want the car taking apart as the headlining will no doubt get creased and the trim will probably rattle afterwards too.

 

Fingers crossed. Otherwise I'll be organising a smart repair myself - just not this month due to 2 inconsiderate parents having birthdays, mothers day and a flipping anniversary not to mention a roadtrip to essex and back. I really don't plan these things well!!    

Well I've got an answer - although Skoda let the dealer break the news first which was nice of them!

 

Skoda are offering a goodwill gesture of 50% of the replacement costs for the roof bar.

 

I'm not too impressed to be honest. By saying it's goodwill they are avoiding the issue of admitting the paint was carp in the first place. The dealer explained that skoda won't/can't authorise a smart repair as it wouldn't be covered under the warranty. Skoda customer services called but I missed them ad the guy isn't back until tuesday.

 

So, here are some suggestions to give your opinions on.

 

Do I dig my heels in a see if they'll cover all the costs?

 

Do I get them to agree to cover any extra costs arising from replacing the roof bar eg headling and/or trim?

 

Do I try and get them to give me something to cover the cost of the smart repair (I really don't want the car taken to bits)? Accessory or something? Dog guard (and I paid fitting)?/ They'd still be better off than going half costs

 

Or do I pay the smart repair and never buy another skoda??

 

 

On a cheerier note I've been a sado and given my key a make over - It's a pity we don't get vRS chrome bits like the Golf GTI & GTD get. 

 

If I was you i'd get a black touch up pen from halfords and just dab some dots over where the paint has come off, i'd be suprised if you could even tell afterwards, especially if you use a basecoat which will dry matt.

 

 

On a cheerier note I've been a sado and given my key a make over - It's a pity we don't get vRS chrome bits like the Golf GTI & GTD get. 

 

So what's the score with the key, how much and how easy to do the swap?

If I was you i'd get a black touch up pen from halfords andjust dab some dots over where the paint has some off, i'd be suprised if you could even tell afterwards, especially if you a basecoat which will dry matt.

 

 

 quote]

Sounds like a great idea

I've already PM'd Neil but if anyone else is interested the swap is easy.

 

Part number is 5G0 837 599 A

 

Just need to split the key as if changing batteries (nice to seal there a wee rubber gasket to keep the water out) and unscrew the plastic end, slide it to one side and it comes out. Reverse to fit the new one. It does need the smallest of small torx bits though.

 

I only did it as I noticed Superskoda were doing them but in a "lightening chrome" colour which I think is the smoked chrome stuff you get on the Audi RS's. I went in search of normal chrome and stumbled across some of eBay.

 

Now I've got the part number though it seems the Seat lads have been doing this for a while.

No surprise about their attitude to the paint problem.  I (and many other owners - well over 50 at the last count) had an issue with the tailgate spoiler paint flaking on the MK1 Fabia vRS.  There's a lengthy thread about it.

 

Skoda did not want to know.

 

Good luck with it.  In your position I would probably try bending the dealer's ear and see if they are prepared to pay for a smart repair.  If they think there's future business in it for them (servicing, future car sale, accessories etc) they might be willing to get their paintshop to blow it in.