Badly creased passenger blind, warranty claim?

Markgray6.1ocean · Mar 13, 2023

I’ve noticed my near side blind is badly creased and the silver coating has come off on the crease lines, it still works but does not look very nice, is this something vw would replace under warranty?

Meoncoast · Mar 13, 2023

Markgray6.1ocean said:
I’ve noticed my near side blind is badly creased and the silver coating has come off on the crease lines, it still works but does not look very nice, is this something vw would replace under warranty?

We had the driverside front blind replaced under warranty on our T6 due to creasing I caused as it stuck and I had forced it. No issue but have a good rapport with our service manager.

Johnny Rocket · Mar 14, 2023

Markgray6.1ocean said:
I’ve noticed my near side blind is badly creased and the silver coating has come off on the crease lines, it still works but does not look very nice, is this something vw would replace under warranty?

If not, it’s quite easy to take out if you’re careful, and you can then iron out the creases using a tea towel or similar to protect. Once you’ve done that, and if thereafter you’re really careful with rolling it away without rucking, the remaining signs of the creases will eventually fade.

Let me know if you want any guidance in getting the unit out of the A-pillar.

Corradobrit · Mar 14, 2023

Would steaming help get the pleats back to their original shape? Saves having to remove them from the frame.

Markgray6.1ocean · Mar 14, 2023

Thanks for your replies, I think I will see if I can get it replaced under warranty as it was difficult to get out. They replaced the awning due to creasing so hopefully this will get sorted to. I did think about ironing it but once you touch something that might be done under warranty and damage it you are then on your own.

Johnny Rocket · Mar 14, 2023

The blind is made from a sort of plasticised fabric, so I think to get the creases out properly, it needs heat, and direct physical contact.

Mine were creased from the very beginning - as-viewed in the showroom - so were replaced 'under warranty' before we even collected the van.

I then, some time later, had that horror of horrors, which I suspect many have experienced, where I went to release one of the blinds from those fiddly little centre pips, and it jumped out of my hand and wound itself in at great speed. Once I'd managed to unjam it, I found it was creased to hell.

So in view of the above, I didn't think it fair or reasonable to make a claim, as in effect I'd done so once already, so figured I'd have to put it right myself!

Hence the DIY removal and 'repair'.

Good luck!

markusschork · Mar 16, 2023

I’m interested in your instructions on how to remove them from the pillar

Johnny Rocket · Mar 16, 2023

Sure, I’m about to climb on an aeroplane right now, but will write a few notes for you as soon as I can.

andyinluton · Mar 16, 2023

This link shows how to get the pillar trims with the blinds off the van as part of the process for fitting the alpine speakers.

Johnny Rocket · Mar 19, 2023

markusschork said:
I’m interested in your instructions on how to remove them from the pillar

Do you still need some help with removing the A-pillar trim panel? - I took a very quick look at the speaker installation video and could see the trims after removal, but not the process of getting them off (but I may have missed it)?

You first have to remove a cranked rectangular ‘fascia plate’ from the A-pillar grab handle - this simply pries off (there are multiple small integral internal clips - 6 maybe - around its perimeter) but you need to be VERY careful i) not to bruise or mark the plastic with the small flat-bladed screwdriver you will use, and ii) not to break it.
Better, I found, to come from underneath and ease it away progressively. If you simply lever one end away by 5mm then you will surely break it!
Two screws then release the grab handle and the A-pillar trim is ready to come out.
This you need to ease away progressively from the structural A-pillar by pulling it wherever you can get hold of it, first releasing it from where it is trapped under the door rubber weather strip.
There are 4 or 5 barbed plastic rivet-type clips on the back side of the trim anchoring it to fixings on the structural pillar.
Take your time, be patient and it will come.
Once it’s away the roller blind module is retained by two screws I think, at which point you can separate that to work on it.

Putting it back is quite a bit more difficult, especially if the barbed pins move out of position in their slots in the backside of the trim, as the reassembly is substantially blind!
Again, patience and persistence pay off!
I’d make you a photo record of the process if I had any need to go inside mine again, but I don’t!
I might do it for a payment in beer, mind . . .

I hope that doesn’t put you off, but if it does, that’s probably just as well really given the risk that you might end up with a dismantled and damaged assembly and not be able to get it back together ;-/

markusschork · Mar 20, 2023

Johnny Rocket said:
Do you still need some help with removing the A-pillar trim panel? - I took a very quick look at the speaker installation video and could see the trims after removal, but not the process of getting them off (but I may have missed it)?

You first have to remove a cranked rectangular ‘fascia plate’ from the A-pillar grab handle - this simply pries off (there are multiple small integral internal clips - 6 maybe - around its perimeter) but you need to be VERY careful i) not to bruise or mark the plastic with the small flat-bladed screwdriver you will use, and ii) not to break it.
Better, I found, to come from underneath and ease it away progressively. If you simply lever one end away by 5mm then you will surely break it!
Two screws then release the grab handle and the A-pillar trim is ready to come out.
This you need to ease away progressively from the structural A-pillar by pulling it wherever you can get hold of it, first releasing it from where it is trapped under the door rubber weather strip.
There are 4 or 5 barbed plastic rivet-type clips on the back side of the trim anchoring it to fixings on the structural pillar.
Take your time, be patient and it will come.
Once it’s away the roller blind module is retained by two screws I think, at which point you can separate that to work on it.

Putting it back is quite a bit more difficult, especially if the barbed pins move out of position in their slots in the backside of the trim, as the reassembly is substantially blind!
Again, patience and persistence pay off!
I’d make you a photo record of the process if I had any need to go inside mine again, but I don’t!
I might do it for a payment in beer, mind . . .

I hope that doesn’t put you off, but if it does, that’s probably just as well really given the risk that you might end up with a dismantled and damaged assembly and not be able to get it back together ;-/

Thanks a lot!!