Corrosion on roof hinges, covered under warranty??

Markgray6.1ocean · Feb 7, 2023

Who thinks this would be covered under warranty? 2021 van.

Lambeth Cali · Feb 7, 2023

Is that corrosion?
Looks like they’ve been sprayed with something. Did you waterproof the canvas?

Markgray6.1ocean · Feb 7, 2023

Lambeth Cali said:
Is that corrosion?
Looks like they’ve been sprayed with something. Did you waterproof the canvas?

Yes it’s corrosion, no I’ve just viewed it over the weekend and got them to send over some photos as I thought it’s not right.

Perfectos · Feb 7, 2023

I would suspect that you would not get them changed under warranty.

looks like the anti rust plating is intact but the plating has been attacked by something ?

Lambeth Cali · Feb 7, 2023

Looks like something dribbled down it here

The only people that can give you a definitive answer is VW. Seems a gamble to buy it.

westfalia · Feb 7, 2023

I don't think it is corrosion, just try to clean it up a bit.
I always blast mine with silicone spray and wipe them down.
Nothing to worry about.

Markgray6.1ocean · Feb 7, 2023

For a van less than 2 years old it does not look nice, 10 year old then probably exceptable. Vw dealer said it it’s not covered on warranty budget for £3k

westfalia · Feb 7, 2023

Doesn't matter, that metal will last for 200 years at least.

Perfectos · Feb 7, 2023

Markgray6.1ocean said:
For a van less than 2 years old it does not look nice, 10 year old then probably exceptable. Vw dealer said it it’s not covered on warranty budget for £3k

It looks purely cosmetic ?

could well be that the zinc plating was like that from new, base metal elements will have an effect on the final finish as will the plating process.

I agree it doesn’t look the best finish, although I think the protective layer is intact and therefore VW will deem it acceptable.

3k for a changing a cosmetic issue that you only see when the roof is up and only if you’re looking closely !

you may well be able to improve the look of the finish by polishing Or as Westfalia suggest with silicone spray.

is it with a dealer or private sale ? Negotiate ?

dspuk · Feb 7, 2023

Looks more like water staining to me.

Emergency edit emergancy edit. Do not use wet and dry!

Herman · Feb 7, 2023

Please, please, please, don’t use wet and dry. This will remove the plated finish and encourage corrosion. Just leave it alone and it will be ok for decades.

Perfectos · Feb 7, 2023

Polishing = IPA, Silicone oil, Autosol Brasso etc, something not particularly abrasive please do not consider wet and dry, the parts are plated to prevent rust, wet and dry etc will remove the protection from the steel.

scottk · Feb 7, 2023

Looks like water marks from storing the canvas wet. The water attacks the galvanised finish. Might come off with vinegar but make sure you rinse and dry well before storing again. As has been said, it is mainly cosmetic and not something I would worry about. Certainly wouldn’t put me off buying if the spec and price are right. Best of luck

Ting Tong · Feb 8, 2023

Our 2018 Cali is the same: one of them even has a tiny area of brown rust on an edge: I know for a fact that nothing has ever been applied to them or the roof. I thought it was a normal sign of age. Let me know how you get on as I’m still in extended warranty for 8 months.

Hawthorn37 · Feb 8, 2023

Agree with other posts, I don’t think VW will consider this as corrosion. It looks like a bit of oxidisation of the protective galvanised coating which I’d expect to happen - and similar to our van. If it goes a rust colour then you’ll know the coating has fully broken down.

Perfectos · Feb 8, 2023

Ting Tong said:
Our 2018 Cali is the same: one of them even has a tiny area of brown rust on an edge: I know for a fact that nothing has ever been applied to them or the roof. I thought it was a normal sign of age. Let me know how you get on as I’m still in extended warranty for 8 months.

Rust (from the underlying steel) developing would be cause for a warranty claim.