2017 Octavia wing sponge removal.

After getting our VRS estate in October last year I had it in my head to remove the arch liners and wax the bits you can't see....having bought it in October the weather didn't really lend itself to the job in hand so after some continual warm weather I did the job at the weekend. All 4 arch liners came off and a whole can of Bilt-Hamber's finest was skooshed about, liners were re-attached with new stainless screws.

Anyway.... I removed the sponge type things from between the front wing rails and wing, and from the A-pillars. The A-pillar pieces were noticeably wet and holding crud at the bottom. After driving the car I noticed NO increased noise, I thought there might be a little more wind/road noise but seems the same. I am thinking the painted hinge area and "sill doorstep" area might need cleaning more often now ??

Anyone else done the same and what side-effects did you get...... I might consider fitting some kind of non-sponge type liner to A-pillar hinge area ??

Thanks for reading.