V001503 2040590

Technical Bulletin
Model(s)
Year
Eng. Code
Trans. Code
VIN Range From
VIN Range To
2013-2016
All
All
All
All
All Models
(except Routan)
Condition
00 15 03 June 5, 2015 2040590
PDI – Paint Defect - Water Migration Under the RAPGARD
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Note:
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Water migration under the RAPGARD can be mistaken as a paint defect when in fact it is only moisture
trapped in the clear coat of the paint. See Examples 1-10 to see how water migration may appear.
Technical Background
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When RAPGARD is applied at the factory, humidity in the air can get trapped between the plastic and the paint.
Over time this moisture can be absorbed into the clear coat creating marks.
Production Solution
Not Applicable.
Service
Topics Covered
• RAPGARD , removal and disposal
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• Inspecting for water migration in areas where RAPGARD was removed.
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• Examples of water migration after the RAPGARD is removed
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RAPGARD
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Vehicles are shipped with RAPGARD . This self-adhering plastic product is applied in certain areas of the vehicle
and is designed to provide protection from all types of possible damages.
Page 1 of 5
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
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RAPGARD , Removal
Note:
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RAPGARD must be removed from the vehicle no later than nine months after application. See sticker (location
on vehicle body varies) for detailed information.
Vehicle must be at room temperature.
The ideal body surface temperature for RAPGARD® removal is 60°F (15.5°C) to 80°F (26.6° C).
If body surface temperatures are below 60°F (15.5°C) or above 80°F (26.6° C) then:
• Removal procedure should be performed indoors after surface temperatures have been allowed to stabilize
within the given range.
• Rinse vehicle thoroughly with water to remove surface dirt or dust and to help stabilize body surface
temperatures.
• Starting at the corners of each panel, carefully remove RAPGARD from vehicle.
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RAPGARD Disposal
RAPGARD® can be disposed as normal paper waste. If unsure about proper disposal procedures in your area,
check local regulations.
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RAPGARD , Paint Inspection after Removal
Inspect painted surfaces under one of the following lighting conditions:
• Indoors under fluorescent lighting.
• Outdoors under bright sunlight.
Inspecting for Water Migration
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After removal of RAPGARD , some vehicles may exhibit temporary paint discoloration or paint swelling (caused
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by trapped moisture under the RAPGARD ).
• This temporary swelling is caused by the paint finish absorbing moisture trapped under the RAPGARD film.
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• This swelling will disappear with exposure to the sun or heat lamps within 2 -3 hours. Severe paint swelling may
require 2 -3 days to recover.
Note:
DO NOT buff or refinish paint for this condition!
Page 2 of 5
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Paint discoloration (looks like shaded or dark magic marker lines) can be removed with a heat gun using the
following procedure:
• Hold heat gun approximately 3 in. away from affected paint surfaces and apply heat using slow oscillating
motions until discoloration is gone.
• If discoloration remains, wipe the heated area with Isopropyl alcohol and repeat procedure to increase surface
drying.
Various Examples of Water Migration Under the RAPGARD
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
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Page 3 of 5
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7
Example 8
Example 9
Example 10
Page 4 of 5
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Bulletin
Warranty
Information only.
Required Parts and Tools
No parts required.
No special tools required.
Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this Technical Bulletin are subject to change and/or removal.
Always check with your Parts Dept. and Repair Manuals for the latest information.
Page 5 of 5
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.