Wheel arch plastic trim and Rust

[Pelicansquawk]

In people’s opinion do these prevent rust from happening, or by hiding trapped grit, dirt, water etc over time cause it to happen by combination of vibration and abrasion with trapped moisture?

I was thinking g of getting some to prevent stone chips and therefore rust, but now I’m thinking it could cause it.

Tia

 

[DXX]

I would tend to agree with your reasoning. If I were going to fit then I would bond them on.

 

[Macp]

I was watching a YT vid last night where the presenter was replacing some on his T6 because of slight damage. I will have a look for the vid. But his had been in place for a couple of years I think. Anyway upon removing them there was no rust or corrosion beneath.

 

[Pelicansquawk]

Well seems pretty split so far. I’m not really fussed about looks so I would be getting them just to prevent the stone chips…but I’m wondering why they wouldn’t be on as standard if they helped.

 

[Sasquatch]

but I’m wondering why they wouldn’t be on as standard if they helped.

Cost. The typical small commercial vehicle reaches the end of its useful life by dint of mileage and wear long before it corrodes significantly, so why would VW bother with the expense of fitting them?

 

[DXX]

I’m on stock wheels, no chips yet on a 2016 van approaching 80K miles.
If owners fit bigger wheels / tyres, wheel spacers and lower the van closer to the stones then chips are to be expected. With respect that’s not VWs problem.

 

[Turboponzy]

Had them on my old van bonded on. They were on for around 2 years before I decided to take them off, they had mud and water trapped between the blobs of bonding and the paint had stained and started to blister. Would never use them again.

 

[Sasquatch]

Blobs of bonding?!

Use a seam of adhesive so water wont get past it. Thats exactly how the glass is fitted and it causes no undue issue.

 

[Turboponzy]

Blobs of bonding?!

Use a seam of adhesive so water wont get past it. Thats exactly how the glass is fitted and it causes no undue issue.

Fitted them as per instructions, there was strips of 3m tape fitted and had to put blobs of silkaflex between, I did put a bead around the tops as well, the problem is there is a couple mm gap between the metal work and plastic, with water spraying from the wheels it gets behind and just sit there. Unlike with windows where there’s more air gap. Other people may have had better experience with them.

 

[Pelicansquawk]

Had them on my old van bonded on. They were on for around 2 years before I decided to take them off, they had mud and water trapped between the blobs of bonding and the paint had stained and started to blister. Would never use them again.

Thanks that’s the sort of thing I wanted to hear before making a decision. I had my suspicions ever since a colleague said he left a bonnet bra on for a couple of years and when he took it off his bonnet was rusting.

 

[Sasquatch]

Thanks that’s the sort of thing I wanted to hear before making a decision. I had my suspicions ever since a colleague said he left a bonnet bra on for a couple of years and when he took it off his bonnet was rusting.

Did he not read the instructions that came with the bonnet bra that says not to do that?

I don't think someone elses operator error would put me off.

 

[Pelicansquawk]

Did he not read the instructions that came with the bonnet bra that says not to do that?

I don't think someone elses operator error would put me off.

True, however the concept is the same…in that they both have the potential to trap dirt/grit and moisture under them for prolonged time, which could lead to rusting.

 

[Sasquatch]

The concept is rhe same...yet different.

A bonnet bra has 360 degrees of ingress.

An arch trim carefully bonded at all edges has none.

In both cases its negligent usage or fitment that is the problem.

 

[Dundee_Kev]

I'd be more concerned about the other things on the van. All these under trays, wheel arch liners etc. all trap mud, salt moisture etc and cause major corrosion issues.

If it's sealed properly, then shouldn't be much of an issue

 

[Captain Quick]

I’ve considered fitting wheel arch covers to my van and will probably do so at some point using UHB tape to attach them to the arches with a continuous bead of sealant carefully applied around the edge of the cover. The rationale being that it will be somewhat easier to remove with a length of fishing line and a toffee wheel should I ever need to do so.