Plastic Deteriorating D4MY14

[Boggs]

Today I noticed the plastic panel surrounding the windscreen wipers is deteriorating, it was black, now its grey and the surface is going powdery. If you scratch it the deteriorated plastic comes off...
This looks like something from the 1970's.. The vehicle is only 17 months old. I would expect better from a 15k Kia.. never mind a $100k Land Rover!

[DI5CO]

While that is pretty poor, maybe a bad batch of plastic or what ever. Land Rover probably don't manufacture that part themselves and like all companies rely on a supplier. I'm sure if you take it back they will replace under warranty.

[LandyAndy]

Plenty of others have been complaining too.Ive been putting low sheen Armour All on mine,it has a UV protectant in it.
Andrew

[scomac]

Faded on the 2006 sport and now on the D4, Iv'e used a number of products but have pretty much given up. The plastic is not designed for our climate! Like you said for 100k you would think they could use a decent plastic that does not fade in such a short time. :mad:

[LandyAndy]

I think mine has slightly changed colour,not good seeing it spends 99% of its like locked in the shed.
I will be asking for a new one during the warranty period I think.
Andrew

[luked3]

Today I noticed the plastic panel surrounding the windscreen wipers is deteriorating, it was black, now its grey and the surface is going powdery. If you scratch it the deteriorated plastic comes off...
This looks like something from the 1970's.. The vehicle is only 17 months old. I would expect better from a 15k Kia.. never mind a $100k Land Rover!

I have a d3 and was only looking at my windscreen shrowd today, I replaced it about 12-15 months ago and it's going grey already .

[DI5CO]

Well that's crap! I take my previous comments back!! My 99 D2 plastic lasted longer than that!! The wheel arch flares are another story though. Lol

[kmdisco]

Hi All
I have the same problem on my MY13 D 4 which I have had since January 2014
has anyone spoken to a dealer about it ,if so what was the result.
I have done 19,000 k and getting 2n d service done next week and was going to ask the dealer about it.


regards Kev
MY13 D4 SDV6 HSE

[MR LR]

Matte coloured plastic almost always fades/deteriorates.

It should be gloss.

Get Land Rover to give you a new one, then spray a coat of clear on it, will seal it.

The D2's don't fade as they're gloss, but it does get brittle.

[TerryO]

Well that's crap! I take my previous comments back!! My 99 D2 plastic lasted longer than that!! The wheel arch flares are another story though. Lol

The windscreen shroud on my D2a cracked right down the middle between the wipers for no good reason. On the D3 it's grey and it's starting to turn greyish on the D4.

Like it or not, which I don't, it is what it is.

[Rok_Dr]

The windscreen shroud on my D2a cracked right down the middle between the wipers for no good reason.

Same thing happened on my D2a over Christmas and I've seen another one with the exact same centre crack as well.

And to top it all off I took Lady P in for a service to get the radiator cleaned this week as she was running hot above 35 deg ambient temp. Plastic side tanks were brittle and cracked up on removal. As its a special design this means a new radiator :mad::mad::mad:

So less said about plastic,durability in cars these days the better.

Cheers

Steve

[LRD414]

I have the same problem on my MY13 D 4 which I have had since January 2014
has anyone spoken to a dealer about it ,if so what was the result.
I have done 19,000 k and getting 2n d service done next week and was going to ask the dealer about it.
Yep .... have a look at this thread, there's been a few done as warranty apparently:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/219487-plenum-chamber-panel.html
Part Number is LR055192. Stuart was quoted $113 by dealer in Melbourne.
I have started using AutoGlym trim stuff, which seems to have improved its finish but don't know long term.
I like the suggestion of getting a new one towards end of warranty and giving it some sort of clear coat.

Scott

[rangieman]

Well i bought a Freebie 1 for the step son that needed a bit of fixing up .
All the exterior plastic`s had discoloured i tried just about everything on the market to no avail:twisted:
Then for some strange reason and a last chance i used Dubbin and magic happend :thumbsup:
I suggest some out of warranty give it a whirl ;)
It might need a second coat after a week or so .
Be carefull as it will feel tacky for a day or 2 till it gets soaked up.

[ryrrek]

Replaced mine last year (2010 D4). From memory it wasn't crazily expensive. I have treated my just delivered MY16 D4 with trim sealants etc, but I don't know if it will last longer. Our D3 (2008) is in mint condition, but has spent most of it's life garaged while the D4 was outside 12 hours per day.

[sctsprin]

Plastidip?

[kmdisco]

Hi Everyone


LRD 414
Thanks for the information Scott.
Will see how I get on with dealer .


Regards Kev KMDISCO
MY13 D4 SDV6 HSE

[Basil135]

Had one replaced on my MY13 D4 about 12 months ago.

The replacement is doing the same, and will be replaced soon. Both under warranty.

It is a known issue, and I have not had any problems at all with the dealer.

[Boggs]

Thanks for all the replies... comforting to know there are others.. discomforting to know the issues has been around for years and unresolved.. I'll get a newy on warranty and give it a blast of clear as suggested. Then take it back for another newy just before warranty ends. I'm no expert on consumer law but I believe that the 3 year warranty clock is reset for any parts replaced during the initial warranty?

[letherm]

I'm no expert on consumer law but I believe that the 3 year warranty clock is reset for any parts replaced during the initial warranty?

That's my understanding too.

Martin

[Nicky]

Thanks for all the replies... comforting to know there are others.. discomforting to know the issues has been around for years and unresolved.. I'll get a newy on warranty and give it a blast of clear as suggested. Then take it back for another newy just before warranty ends. I'm no expert on consumer law but I believe that the 3 year warranty clock is reset for any parts replaced during the initial warranty?

But not for 3rd party parts e.g. battery

[BMKal]

I have started using AutoGlym trim stuff, which seems to have improved its finish but don't know long term.

Scott

I've used this product on mine since new.

More than four years old now, and still looking like new. ;)

[LandyAndy]

Brian.
Does that Autoglym trim treatment remove polish stain???
Andrew

[cafe latte]

Cleaning my 6 month old Defender in the last couple of days which is stored under cover the rag I used to clean it with was BLACK if it went near a window rubber. In a few months my window rubbers are clearly breaking down, not good as they were fine on my 1980's Toyota..
Chris

[LandyAndy]

My rodeo work ute and the replacement Colarado are the same.
Andrew

[Rok_Dr]

X3 for Autoglym trim gel, it's great stuff!

Yes Andy it does get rid of polish marks, with the caveat that if the trim has a textured surface you may need to use a toothbrush to get the polish out of the crevices.

Cheers

Steve

[BMKal]

Brian.
Does that Autoglym trim treatment remove polish stain???
Andrew

Yes - has done on my sill panels, and on the bottom section of my rear bumper.

[Fatso]

I just use WD40 , seems to keep the plastic parts looking ok .

[tadpole]

Today I noticed the plastic panel surrounding the windscreen wipers is deteriorating, it was black, now its grey and the surface is going powdery. If you scratch it the deteriorated plastic comes off...
This looks like something from the 1970's.. The vehicle is only 17 months old. I would expect better from a 15k Kia.. never mind a $100k Land Rover!

I was searching the forum to check owners experience regarding the ageing of exterior black plastic trim on D3s and found your thread. So although it is several months old thought I would add my experience to the list of remedies already proposed. The black trim on my 07 D3 was no longer black so in desperation first tried black vinyl polish often used on ute canopies. It improved the appearance for a few days but it returned to its pathetic appearance. Next I tried Mothers Back to Black which seems to be just an oil of some kind and lasted until the first car wash. I have now been using a product called Aerospace Protectorant made by 303 Products for awhile and seems pretty good. At a guess it is a dispersion of a silicone polymer in water but does not remain oily. After application it can be buffed to produce a shinier surface but I just apply with a rag and leave it. They claim it to be SPF40
If anyone else has tried this please share your experience.

[Tombie]

I've had 2 under warranty and now use Auto Glym on them

[LandyAndy]

I will be asking for a new panel.Mine lives in a shed,almost 2 weeks up in the nor-west and its deteriorated even futher.
Andrew

[Crofty]

Got the same issue with my 2014 Disco. Next service I'll be sure to be requesting a warranty replacement. The Auto Glym works for a month or two at a time if the panel is already deteriorated. A new one with continuous treatment and it should last as long as the vehicle[emoji106]

[LGM]

The plenum (trim below the windscreen) on my 2011 D4 was replaced about a year or so back as it had faded quite badly. I do park in the open every work day and the sun beats down where I live....well most of the time.....Like the others I use Autoglym on the replacement plenum as it does not seem to be fairing much better. LR must use some 'el'cheapo plastic, recycled maybe?

[Ozzy119]

My 2010 temperature dials are deteriorating. The rubbery coating around the edges went very sticky and is smearing away / coming off.

Maybe the tropical climate up here, as it seems to kill most things.

[BMKal]

Try this on the plenum (and other external plastic trim areas).

Not cheap, but lasts a long time. I have a mate with his own business in Perth who swears by this stuff. ;)

https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/gyeon/q2_trim