What's happened to my plastic?

[tomp9000]

On the car I have just bought, where ever there is a certain type of plastic it seems to have stain with something. Its all over. Fuel filler, and coolant cap are the worst, but its anywhere where that plastic is as far as I can tell.

Anyone seen it before?

 

[tomp9000]

If it's normal then fine, but if no one has seen it before I may consider getting my money back with 14 day money back guarantee they offer.

 

[Seriously?]

Deffo not normal I'd say.
I would image too strong a dose of Traffic Film remover/APC

 

[tomp9000]

I absolutely love the car but, torn to return it, spent everything I have or ever will have on it lol.

 

[tomp9000]

I absolutely love the car but, torn to return it, spent everything I have or ever will have on it lol.

I did get a good deal I think as webuyanycar offered me basically what I paid which must be a good sign, its its just cosmetic am probably not bothered.

Just wouldn't mind knowing what it is.

 

[SRGTD]

That’s bizarre ?. It almost looks like the residue deposits of something that’s splashed up and dried on - in the first picture it almost looks like a thin layer of caked on dirt. It’s strange that it’s only on certain areas though.

There’s also a small amount of the same substance on the top corner of the reverse side of the blue painted filler flap above the hinge, and in the corresponding area on the black plastic behind the filler flap when it’s closed (circled in your picture below). If you’ve not already done so, it might be worth trying to clean a test patch to see if it’ll come off - IMHO you’re unlikely to make it any worse.

 

[tomp9000]

That's bird poo I cleaned without opening the filler cap lol.

On the "scuttle panel" (i think?) the bit at the top of the bonnet on the outside underneath the wipers, there is 2 kinds of plastic clipped together, the other type is fine, so it must be a reaction to something

not made any attempt to clean it off yet, but it doesn't look like it would budge without sanding or something

 

[tomp9000]

That’s bizarre ?. It almost looks like the residue deposits of something that’s splashed up and dried on - in the first picture it almost looks like a thin layer of caked on dirt. It’s strange that it’s only on certain areas though.

There’s also a small amount of the same substance on the top corner of the reverse side of the blue painted filler flap above the hinge, and in the corresponding area on the black plastic behind the filler flap when it’s closed (circled in your picture below). If you’ve not already done so, it might be worth trying to clean a test patch to see if it’ll come off - IMHO you’re unlikely to make it any worse.

View attachment 34284

when I saw it on the video call I thought it was muddy water splashed up and the engine splash guard was going to be missing, but its deffo not water and the guard is intact.

 

[BigJase88]

Certainly been some sort of reaction to acidic washing technique at some point in it's life. Looks bad.

 

[SRGTD]

Certainly been some sort of reaction to acidic washing technique at some point in it's life. Looks bad.

That’s what it looks like. Certain types of plastic do react adversely to harsh cleaning products. Many of the hand car wash places use such products to remove dirt quickly as time‘s money to them; quicker throughput of cars = more cars cleaned = more £££’s earned. However prolonged or frequent use of such products isn’t good for the car (e.g. dulls the paintwork, plays havoc with diamond cut alloys and affects some plastics).

I've noticed on some cars that just one of the plastic wheel bolt covers per wheel (the one covering the locking wheel bolt) is often grey when the others are black - presumably a different type or grade of plastic is used for the locking bolt cover and it’s less resilient to harsh cleaning products than the plastic used for the other bolt covers. Seems to be a particular issue with VW‘s and Vauxhall’s.

@tomp9000 - if you’re happy with the car apart from the damaged plastic, then rather than return it, why not ask the seller to replace the damaged parts?

 

[martin j.]

Have you been back to the seller to get it looked at/remedied? Surely they are the first contact, if it’s something that occurred during valeting they may be able to easily correct it?

 

[oldglosracer]

Does look like neat traffic film remover acid has been sprayed and left and burnt the plastic.

That filler cap and door can be replaced, so ask them to do it.

Check the car carefully though I reckon it might have other damage, look under it also.

Who was it from, Cinch or Cazoo?

 

[tomp9000]

Thank you all for your input. I am currently sending photos and back and forth with the dealer and I'll get what I can But it doesn't bother me that much and I think i will be keeping the car. Other than the plastic it seems like a bargin. It was a place called ecomotion in Birmingham and they have been great and really acomdating so far. As long as it has just stained and not damaged the plastic am happy, is there anyone local to me (leeds) who could check the car for me, I'd be happy to pay some beers extra for an expert opinion if anyone local can have a look.

 

[BigJase88]

Can of satin black plastic spray paint, some sandpaper and some masking tape will turn them back to black in no time

 

[tomp9000]

Booked a detail with a local guy who said he's not sure if he will be able to sort it but he will have a go. At least someone who knows the sorts of products can have a look. Just wish the car was a bit dirtier lol. I'll let you know if he has any success, I have also bought a new coolant cap which is the worst affect part so I will have a test piece to try stuff on.

 

[BigJase88]

Im sure you can get a 1.4 tsi engine cover that would cover the engine bay stuff up

35.28￡ |For Seat FR Leon Toledo Ateca 1.4T EA211 Engine Cover Bonnet Cap 04E103925H 04E103932D 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019|Interior Mouldings| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[tomp9000]

Yeah do want one of them anyway. It certainly looks missing on the Leon, took me ages to realise they don't have one I thought they had all been removed from cars I viewed.