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Mike M.
Member Since: 04 Dec 2016
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 12
  
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My 2007 D3 2.7TD looks like the previous owner has counted cleaning it as being satisfied by the occasional hose-down. All the black external trim was various shades of grey when I bought it. Many applications of "Back to Black" and other rubber/vinyl cleaners have rescued most of it, except for one piece that now stands out like the proverbial sore thumb. Despite my best efforts, the strip below the windscreen that carries the wiper bosses remains grey. My questions are:- Is that the original colour? and if not, any tips on how to blacken it. Thanks, Mike M.
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 25th Jul 2017 11:51 am |
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Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
 
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I am forever blacken that piece of plastic yet it always goes back to grey!
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| 25th Jul 2017 12:16 pm |
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Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
 
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Scuttle panel,
Only sure fire way to blacken it for a while before it turns grey again is buy a new one
Tried almost everything on mine, g technic, back to black, peanut butter etc etc and still goes grey. D3 57 xs Stornaway grey
D2 02 commercial silver gone but a great servant and won't be forgotten
Iid Bluetooth
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| 25th Jul 2017 2:01 pm |
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mek
Member Since: 18 Mar 2015
Location: Zurich
Posts: 468
 
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Agreed.
Bite the bullet and change it. Buy a new one and not a used one on ebay someone has heat gunned black. It's not a hard job but it is a bit annoying. Read up on everything you can on removal of outer A pillar trim before you attempt this. There are clips at the top and bottom. the bottom clips should be broken and disposed and there is a £5 fitting replacement kit with a patch for that hole (solves a cabin leakage problem)
The top clips must not and if broken will result in constant squeaking on the motorway! I actually bought new a pillar covers to fit to resolve this self-caused problem... Try not to do this when it's about to  it down with rain or you will get damp carpets...
You will probably need a wiper arm puller and try not to buy the absolute cheapest (I broke the first one I bought from china)
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| 25th Jul 2017 5:25 pm |
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Welsh Wizard
Member Since: 19 Sep 2016
Location: CARDIFF
Posts: 38
  
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Got exactly the same issue on our D3 - all the other plastic holds a deep colour except this panel - I have a mate in the trade who gave me some 'industrial' trim back to black, in a clear bottle with no label!! (probably neat vodka) and it sorts it for about a week then goes grey again....its a bit like Just for men, you are only hiding from the inevitable and need to bite the bullet and buy an new one, 
Last edited by Welsh Wizard on 29th Jul 2017 12:14 am. Edited 1 time in total
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| 25th Jul 2017 6:50 pm |
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Dai-Disco3
Member Since: 30 Nov 2014
Location: Southend on Sea
Posts: 180
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When I bought my D3 over 2 years ago I too had the grey scuttle panel under the windscreen.
Now I always want to repair rather than replace if at all possible, just object to a throw away logic that so many have. So I did look at a new one but decided to test an alternative method.
I took mine off, thorough cleaned it, rubbed it down with wire wool and water, then dried it. Then applied Halfords Plastic Bumper paint, in black, end result was a nice black scuttle panel. After two years there is no flaking, fading and it looks like a standard scuttle panel. Cost some elbow grease, time and about £7.99 if memory serves me correct.
May be worth a try 
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| 25th Jul 2017 6:55 pm |
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Mike M.
Member Since: 04 Dec 2016
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 12
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Thanks very much to all who replied, nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem. However, I'm going to be a coward in view of the remarks about leakage if the panel is changed, and the fact that it will probably turn grey anyway, and just keep it as it is. Thanks again, Mike M.
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| 28th Jul 2017 11:45 am |
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BBDisco3
Member Since: 23 Nov 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3640
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Alan B wrote:
Tried almost everything on mine, g technic, back to black, peanut butter etc etc and still goes grey.
Alan - Perhaps a trip to Boots/Superdrug/Tesco or a specialist hair colouring firm may help 
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| 28th Jul 2017 12:54 pm |
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Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
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Mike M. wrote:Thanks very much to all who replied, nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem. However, I'm going to be a coward in view of the remarks about leakage if the panel is changed, and the fact that it will probably turn grey anyway, and just keep it as it is. Thanks again, Mike M.
Flippin heck, you sure you're northern? 
Mike, these cars take a little looking after, failing to occasionally get your hands dirty means you won't get the best from ownership.
I changed my own scuttle, never leaked at all, the hardest part is removing the wipers which is easy with a puller. If it leaks, you fitted it like a southern softie...................wrongly!!
Once you've owned your D3 for a while, you'll realise. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
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| 28th Jul 2017 2:53 pm |
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trailhound
Member Since: 27 Aug 2015
Location: Colchester
Posts: 697
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I'm a southern Jessie and I swapped mine, one of the first of many jobs!
As already discussed, wipers off is the bulk of the job.
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| 28th Jul 2017 3:35 pm |
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Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
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BBDisco3 wrote:Alan B wrote:
Tried almost everything on mine, g technic, back to black, peanut butter etc etc and still goes grey.
Alan - Perhaps a trip to Boots/Superdrug/Tesco or a specialist hair colouring firm may help
Tried all of them and they don't have scuttle panel black in stock   D3 57 xs Stornaway grey
D2 02 commercial silver gone but a great servant and won't be forgotten
Iid Bluetooth
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| 28th Jul 2017 6:22 pm |
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leojod
Member Since: 19 Jul 2017
Location: London
Posts: 37
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I recommend using a protectant that offers UV protection like the 303 aerospace.
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| 31st Jul 2017 9:58 am |
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