Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

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Themasteryeti
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Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by Themasteryeti » Wed Aug 31, 2022 6:34 pm

My 480 has some sort of plastic trim at the front of the rear wheel arch and I just wondered what it was as I've only seen a small handfull of pictures with them on it, anyone here able to shine any light on it? 🤔
Not the best picture but it's the darker patch
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1973 vw beetle
1993 480s

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WillC9303
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Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by WillC9303 » Wed Aug 31, 2022 6:44 pm

That's a stone guard sticker to protect the paint.- all 480's had them from factory, regardless of year or spec, but many have had them removed due to having welding done around the rear sill area or because they went black like yours seems to have done (any dirt will be more visible on a white car) - they were transparent clear from factory.


I believe you can still get replacements, but they're not that important to have.
William

1993 2.0i Limited Edition

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Themasteryeti
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Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by Themasteryeti » Fri Sep 02, 2022 11:58 am

WillC9303 wrote:
Wed Aug 31, 2022 6:44 pm
That's a stone guard sticker to protect the paint.- all 480's had them from factory, regardless of year or spec, but many have had them removed due to having welding done around the rear sill area or because they went black like yours seems to have done (any dirt will be more visible on a white car) - they were transparent clear from factory.


I believe you can still get replacements, but they're not that important to have.
How Interesting! Thanks for the Info :)
1973 vw beetle
1993 480s

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Aaron__
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Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by Aaron__ » Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:09 pm

How can you remove these trims, is it particularly easy??

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WillC9303
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Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by WillC9303 » Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:05 pm

Aaron__ wrote:
Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:09 pm
How can you remove these trims, is it particularly easy??
They can be removed easily enough as they're stuck on with some sort of adhesive.
William

1993 2.0i Limited Edition

Aaron__
480 Newbie
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Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:48 pm

Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by Aaron__ » Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:43 am

WillC9303 wrote:
Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:05 pm
Aaron__ wrote:
Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:09 pm
How can you remove these trims, is it particularly easy??
They can be removed easily enough as they're stuck on with some sort of adhesive.
Just pull them off or use something like a hairdryer to weaken the adhesive?

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WillC9303
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Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by WillC9303 » Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:37 pm

Yep, likely won't come off all in one go as they're usually cracked. IIRC, the adhesive wasn't that strong on mine so a hairdryer might not be needed.
William

1993 2.0i Limited Edition

davekit
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Re: Plastic trim on rear wheel arch?

Post by davekit » Sat Mar 11, 2023 5:22 pm

Might it be more difficult removing the adhesive?
If you want to replace them, make a paper template before removal, then try www.carbuilder.com and search for stonechip film. A 2ft by 1ft sheet will cost under £24. Car Builder Solutions are great for all sorts of difficult to find items - and things you never even knew you needed!
Let us know how you get on if you replace them, as I may want to do mine.
Dave

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