Flaky interior door handles

[Maggle]

Ever since I've owned my Superb (two years) I have had issues with the rubber coating on the interior door handles flaking off. Whilst the car was under warranty I was able to get them replaced by the dealer FOC as it is a recognised fault and applies to VW and Audi cars also.

The problem is that I have the ivory (Cream) interior and as the rubber coating flakes off they tend to look grubby and unsightly. I am sure that other superb owners must have similar experiences?

Has anyone found a reliable method for removing the remainder of the rubber coating without scratching the handles and is there something (maybe plasticoat) that I could use to re-coat them and restore them to their original condition?

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

[Supurbia]

Mine does it as well, and imo it's poor quality, I didn't know you could get them replaced under warranty though, but whats the point if it just comes off again, it's rings and keys that strip it, as for cleaning it you could try the instant valet foam that might lift the dirt out.

[Maggle]

That's the problem, you get them replaced and then the new ones get nicked by rings etc (even fingernails) and then they start flaking.

What I want to know is whether there's a foolproof way of stripping the coating off and then replacing it with something more permanent?

[Supurbia]

I was peeling some of mine off hoping to to just leave the hard pastic, but it's time intensive, bit like peeling sunburnt skin.

[Burnsey]

it never really happened on mine, which I'm trading in on Wednesday

I'd maybe try a neoprene cover, say with velcro down one edge of it, so that when you wrap it round it can fix on. If you are into mountain biking you'll know what I mean as they gets used as chainstay protectors to stop chain chipping the paint.

Other alternatives would be a rectangle of leather (in the colour of your car) with elastic stitched onto one side and wrap it round. I'm sure you could get a decent finish. Alternatively do a brown leather grip job on it, like on a golf club or tennis racket grip or really old leather steering wheel. Wrap so that it fits perfectly. If you did it in nice colour and consistentlythen it could look quite nice I think.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by Burnsey

I'd maybe try a neoprene cover, say with velcro down one edge of it, so that when you wrap it round it can fix on. If you are into mountain biking you'll know what I mean as they gets used as chainstay protectors to stop chain chipping the paint.

Yeah, I can see these working well, actually...

...but where would you get that much neoperene from? I've never seen a chainstay guard that big and I don't fancy chopping up a wetsuit...

[FinPatch]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Yeah, I can see these working well, actually...

...but where would you get that much neoperene from? I've never seen a

Originally Posted by Bluefox

chainstay guard that big and I don't fancy chopping up a wetsuit...

Same happens to me and since I found this problem I've been searching for a brushed aluminium replacement to this flaky item. As can be seen eg. from site:Dekor (under Dekor - Türgriffe, vorn links) these are actually available in many coating/materials, only problem is that where you can order these. The local stealer wanted total of 80 euros for that aluminium handle so I've been looking for a cheaper one instead.

Although this can be ordered at price 39eur from Original VW Ersatzteile
(under Zuberhör Allgemein- Dekorblenden - Dekorblende Tür, gebürstetes Alu 4-Turig)
there is postage 20eur to be added so total is still almost 60eur for a simple handle!
So the search continues..


The removal of panel is nicely described here:
VWvortex Forums: DIY - Removing front door parts (door panel, door unlock handle and sideview mirror)

[Gizmo68]

Originally Posted by Maggle

What I want to know is whether there's a foolproof way of stripping the coating off and then replacing it with something more permanent?

I used white spirit to soften the coating and 'simply' rubbed the coating off, it took a long time, but looks much better IMO.

Its a pity they don't seem to do the ones FinPatch has seen for RHD.

[Baker21]

I have the cream interior and door handles and I just replace them every time they start to flake, the parts are not expensive from the dealer and easy to change.......I have only changed twice once since owning the vehicle for 2 years.....

[Supurbia]

Is that back and front Simon? and roughtly how much are they?

[Maggle]

I've only felt the need to replace the fronts in the past as the backs aren't really visible.

[Baker21]

Originally Posted by Supurbia

Is that back and front Simon? and roughtly how much are they?

Yep Front and Back mate with the Driver's Door being the easiest one to change out of the lot.......can't remember the exact cost but having recently replaced the fronts, both Passenger and Driver's (Consists of 2 parts) I recall spending around £35?!?!?!?

[sidewaze samm]

My driver's door is flakey too - though the others are OK. Due for service, so I'll ask about it under warranty - younever know

[Baker21]

Originally Posted by sidewaze samm

My driver's door is flakey too - though the others are OK. Due for service, so I'll ask about it under warranty - younever know

Warranty.................you must be joking............that's general wear and tear!!

[sidewaze samm]

yep - I would agree with you.... but the first post says they have been changed under warranty - so Maggie, how did you manage it?

[bryanp]

Originally Posted by sidewaze samm

My driver's door is flakey too - though the others are OK. Due for service, so I'll ask about it under warranty - younever know

Hi mate, I replaced my drivers door grab handle not long after I bought the car, unlike the other door grab handles I was able to purchase this of E-bay, personnally I thought the price was OK but I dont know if its comparrable to a dealer, just more convenient even though I had to search for "Passat" to find it! The one I bought even came in the rubberised finish when I thought I had bought the standard black plastic so that was a bonus. If you get nowhere with the dealer I have added the link to the one I bought from the same seller. The seller even added the word Skoda after I bought it because he lived around the corner from me and delivered it by hand and was un aware that Skodas had the same interiors as VW's!!!

VW GOLF MK4 BORA PASSAT SKODA DOOR TRIM GRAB HANDLE New on eBay, also, Volkswagen, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 25-Jan-08 19:56:23 GMT)

[kwong]

instead of replacing them, anyone tried leather wrapping them?

[Dave Belcanto]

Just ordered the two front handles off e bay [vw trims] for £24.98 including postage.
The set of four is £33.89 including postage.
Various colours available.

Dave

[Baker21]

Originally Posted by Dave Belcanto

Just ordered the two front handles off e bay [vw trims] for £24.98 including postage.
The set of four is £33.89 including postage.
Various colours available.

Dave

Are you suggesting that you can buy Superb Trims from this seller as IIRC the only trim that is the same as those seen in the photo on the auction is the drivers side trim, all the others in the Superb are different to Golfs, Passat's, etc....???

[Maggle]

I managed to get them replaced under warranty by telling the dealer that it's a known VW/Audi fault and that Audi dealers regularly replace them under warranty as a friend of mine who has an Audi S4 has had his replaced.

If you ask a dealer they will fob you off but if you act confident and knowledgeable it's often a very different story.

It's not wear and tear because a ten year old Mazda or Toyota wont look so shabby, it's definitely a design fault. The rubberised coating just isn't fit for purpose. I'm relatively careful with my car and still they get damaged all too easily.

[Baker21]

Originally Posted by Maggle

If you ask a dealer they will fob you off but if you act confident and knowledgeable it's often a very different story.

[Surrey White]

I've just replaced the door pull/switch panel on the Superb. Took 5 minutes. Bought the panel from the eBay seller above.
Now I need to get one the right colour for the Octy. I can't believe how cheap and easy this was to do. It pees me off that I've lived with this - the only flaw on the Octy - for 5 years and didn't need to!

[Baker21]

Originally Posted by Surrey White

I've just replaced the door pull/switch panel on the Superb. Took 5 minutes. Bought the panel from the eBay seller above.
Now I need to get one the right colour for the Octy. I can't believe how cheap and easy this was to do. It pees me off that I've lived with this - the only flaw on the Octy - for 5 years and didn't need to!

Live and learn mate, live and learn............

[Surrey White]

I replaced the door panel on the Superb a while ago with one I got from the eBay seller mentioned in this thread for £15.99 + postage, which I thought was reasonable, but they didn't have the right colour for the Octy.
Last week I got the dealer to order me one for the bargain price of £9.99 + VAT.

Live and learn - the dealer is not always the stealer!

Or maybe not.
I also wanted the flatish panel that fits round the gear lever for the Superb. They wanted £67 +VAT for that. Any one got one thats not scratched?!!

[Baker21]

Originally Posted by Surrey White

I also wanted the flatish panel that fits round the gear lever for the Superb. They wanted £67 +VAT for that. Any one got one thats not scratched?!!

That is because that comes with the gear stick and gaitor for £67+VAT.......