Has Valeter Ruined My R8 Dashboard?

Andy Leem

Andy Leem

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Hi all,

I had my car detailed today by a friend who runs his own valeting/detailing company.

Upon inspection I've noticed a large patch of my dashboard near the glove box is a different colour, like a shiny finish instead of the normal matte leather.

He says he doesn't know how it has happened and thinks it is something on top of the leather that will come off. He says he will attempt to get it off at the weekend.

However, I'm not convinced it is something on top of the leather that willl come off... instead being a case of the material surface being corroded by some sort of cleaning chemical. The effect is the same as how my drive door inner handle looks, which is obviously from use/wear... so that suggests whatever has gone on my dashboard has basically stripped a layer/coating off it.

Just trying to see what you lot think, and what my options/solutions are to fixing this.

Here are the photos:

As you will see the coating is literally flaking off
gfVvw8d.jpg

fk6PN0R.jpg


Thanks
 
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I can't tell 100% from the photo but it looks like a silicon coating that you'd normally use to "shine" up the glove box has been rubbed to far on to the leather ? I had it done to a dash before albeit not matte leather :-( but used warm soapy water to wash it off

Mat be worth trying on a small patch then drying with a soft microfibre cloth ?
 
I will upload high def images shortly. This is definitely not some kind of spray on the surface, the whole surface is flaking away.
 
See high res images. This is definitely not something glossy on the surface as you'll see.

wdFxubN.jpg


XVDyqLl.jpg

APh57rS.jpg
 
Super closeup. Spray on surface cant leave a mark like this as it wouldn't have 'edges' and simply be like a big round oval shape with smooth edges..

jcLViNG.jpg
 
like you said before, looks like its stripped the top layer/protective coat off! gutted for you mate! really hope you can get it sorted quickly.

P.S. very nice car :)
 
Doesn't look good I'm afraid Andy

I just hope your 'friend' has deep pockets because this will cost him dear me thinks

Feel your pain buddy :(
 
Seems like there's a thin final top coat to make it matte on top of a shiney finish leather.

I can see a specialist smart repairer having to come out and get his airbrush out.
 
audi upgrades
Is he a professional detailer or glamorised valeter? That looks painful! It'll be interesting to see how this is rectified. Keep up posted. Feel for you a) because R8's aren't cheap and b)because you said he was a friend of yours which makes it very awkward
 
Ouch!
Sorry for your pain of the dash, that doesn't look good at all.
Looks like a very strong apc or like has been used and reacted.
Think I would cry
 
That's not great.....really feel for you.

I've seen this type of damage before and it was caused by a really strong APC cleaner meant for exterior trim that was accidentally used on dashboard. It ruined to the soft touch VW coating on a dashboard, transmission tunnel and leathers seats. Leather just flaked off like it had been scratched.

Had to be smart repaired - hope your friend has insurance......
 
I would get some Angelwax AnGel on that. It may well do what you're looking for. The dash looks as though its had an APC put on it and hes stopped when hes relaised what hes done......very bad skills if it is as APC's can be deadly for dashboards.. If you need some of the AnGel gimme a PM and I can get some out to you in a sample bottle mate. No point in you buying a bottle in case it doesnt work. Its a wipe on, leave to soak and then buff off. Great stuff to use aswell.
 
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Was it a hot day when it was detailed? Looks like it's baked in the leather. A spray of apc can leave stains behind.
 
A good pro detailer will probably be able to hide that ...somehow, but knowing it's there ready to show itself next time the dash is wiped over may haunt you forever.

Mate or not, I'd be fuming and wanting a permanent fix - at his expense. :mad:

Then again, are you sure it wasn't like that previously and he just revealed it when he cleaned it?
 
this guy supposed to be a professional valeter? he should know what his products do and what they can/can't be used on.
 
Probably doing time for thrashing the Valeter lol
 
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As mentioned by the look of it from the pictures I'd say the top matt coating on the leather has come off, most likely need to get it airbrushed and blended back on.
 
I wouldn't let him near it again. You need to sit him down and ask what he's used on it, did he realise it was leather? But you need to know what he's used so that Audi can advise you. Sadly I have a feeling you may need a new dash.
Only let the dealer at it. Although there are leather experts out there, there was one at Waxstock 2014 I cant remember the guys name.
 
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