Ave you looked behind those pretty GTI arches?

I bet your scared of removing those rear GTI black arches?

Mine were removed today and uncovered more rot, even though the steel arches were replaced about 5 years ago!

when i put mine back on i just waxoyled the metal up t' nuts :wink:  i think if you use sealent any water that gets behind there cant get out and rot sets in, that seemed to be the case with who ever did my GX anyway, there wasnt an arch left!

Greg 8)

When I restored the GTI I pulled a couple of the plastic trims off by hand, the metal was that rotten.  

I learn't my lesson and looked for a Cabrio that didn't need any major bodywork. This is when I removed the arch trim to remove the plastic splash guard to get at the broken arial.

  

Decided to have alook at them all and there were one or two scabs that needed sorting out;

I put gallon loads of wax oil on the rear arches when I fitted them, but it must of washed off over the years. My rear outer arches aren't really that bad but nevertheless require to be cut out and replaced. The rot appears to have spread from the fixing holes on the edge.

I was worried when the day came to remove mine, but to my delight, it turns out she only had surface rust  



Then after the rust had been sorted, but before the top coat………

mines not having the covers back on when its been sorted, no covers, no problems.

Had a look at one yesterday, just a little surface rust, nothinga  quick wire whel and soem Kurust followed with lashings of hammerite wont sort!!!

rest worry me tho, will be looking tomorrow

ive got an 83 cab but a previous owner put the clipper kit on and looks like its been there awhile im dreading taking the kit off but i will be in couple of weeks time as putting it all back to original

I haven't and don't think I ever will buy a Mk1 with the trims on!

i toom mine of and it was not good lol so out came the grider and the welder but if i but the covers back on i will leave a gap between the arch and the cover and the fix a foam it the take it of and cut back the foam and then paint it . i hope that makes sence as i think it might work  

dont use foam man do it properly in steel save any headaches later

keep spraying behind the arches with wd40 on a weekly basis, this will drive out the moisture, protect the paintwork and keep rust at bay.