VW Bus T5

Starting point

The VW Bus is an all-rounder for work, family and hobby and is mostly bought as a commercial vehicle. Accordingly it has to take quite a lot: chafe marks on the door entries and on door and loading edges become a rust problem over time. The biggest cause of rust, however, is stone chips across the entire front with bonnet, bumper and the tall roof leading edge, on the wheel arch edges, A-pillars and doors. The touch-up pen is neither cosmetically pleasing nor a guarantee against rust at that spot. At some point only a repaint remains, but a vehicle in daily field service cannot be spared, and downtime plus painting costs are often not economical. For this T5, a stone chip protection film was therefore chosen as a preventive measure.

Work

Bonnet and the complete front bumper were wrapped in paint protection film; wherever possible, the film was wrapped around the edges into the fold. From the chrome trim strip downwards, the entire length of the sides received stone chip protection film, as did all wheel arches up to the arch edge, since these zones suffer particularly from stone chips, dirt and road salt. The mirror housings were protected against scratches and paint chips when manoeuvring, and the loading sill of the painted rear bumper against the strain of trade, hobby and family with dog. The A-pillars left and right and the roof surface above the windscreen were wrapped because these spots are affected by stone chips and rust on all VW Buses.

Result

Stone chips and insect residue can no longer harm the paint. When the vehicle is sold later, the film can be peeled off: while comparable vehicles are covered in stone chips and rusting in the typical places, this T5 stands there in its original paint as if nothing had happened over the years. According to the report at the time, stone chip protection film and the LZ 730 brilliance sealant are recognised by insurers; in the event of a claim, the other party’s insurer pays for both after the repair. The investment therefore pays off right away when buying a new vehicle or after an extensive repaint.

Workshop archive, original report. Product details reflect the state at the time.