MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: Ashley g on May 19, 2012, 07:30:14 pm

Title: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: Ashley g on May 19, 2012, 07:30:14 pm: A couple of weeks ago I took My car to the local car cleaners (I know it was a bad idea but didn't have access to my own cleaning stuff) Never again! They've used some wheel cleaner spray and now my wheel bolt caps have got white marks all over them! Does anyone know what this is and how to get it off or is it going to be a case of buying new ones?
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: sub39h on May 19, 2012, 07:37:32 pm: this happened to mine once

if it's the same as mine it does come off if you scrub hard enough. i spent about 30 mins with an old toothbrush to get them looking ok again

alternatively a new set of caps cost about £7 from a main dealer which is hardly breaking the bank
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: stealthwolf on May 19, 2012, 07:50:52 pm: +1. I had this issue too. No idea how caustic the TFR they used was but the plastic covers had white residue all over them. A detailer at the time managed to use a short bristle (ie stiff) brush but in the end I just replaced them.
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: nathangallo on May 29, 2012, 11:07:12 pm: Quote from: stealthwolf on May 19, 2012, 07:50:52 pm
+1. I had this issue too. No idea how caustic the TFR they used was but the plastic covers had white residue all over them. A detailer at the time managed to use a short bristle (ie stiff) brush but in the end I just replaced them.

Happened to men also!
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: big al on May 30, 2012, 02:32:07 pm: I have a set of hexagonal ones for sale if you want them. £6 :wink: :happy2:
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: maxload on May 31, 2012, 10:20:32 am: I allways remove them when I clean the wheels. You can then clean the caps with any good
plastic cleaner. After you have cleaned the wheels pop the clean caps back in and the wheel looks brand new
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: justsean on May 31, 2012, 11:10:07 am: Just replaced all mine for the same reason, white from previous owner, only cost me £4 from VW? thought that was bit of a bargain and they fitted them for me too whilst it was in for something else :happy2:
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: maxload on May 31, 2012, 05:38:08 pm: Quote from: justsean on May 31, 2012, 11:10:07 am
Just replaced all mine for the same reason, white from previous owner, only cost me £4 from VW? thought that was bit of a bargain and they fitted them for me too whilst it was in for something else :happy2:

I hope they didnt charge you for fitting them?? As its a really easy job to do :-)
Title: Re: plastic wheel bolt caps gone white
Post by: justsean on June 11, 2012, 11:17:21 am: Quote from: maxload on May 31, 2012, 05:38:08 pm
I hope they didnt charge you for fitting them?? As its a really easy job to do :-)
Nope! I just said I wanted them, didnt expect them to change them for me as its such an easy job, they just did it for me and didnt charge. Also replaced the heater cover on top which had warped in the sun a little didnt charge me labour for that either...not too shabby.