Blistering Trim on door and center controls trim - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Boxtaboy · 05-08-2007, 06:57 AM

It actually is from sunscreen. Certain brands of sunscreen will make the film bubble up. Only fix is to replace those trim pieces, and switch brands of sunscreen, or have those trim pieces painted, as I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWOL

I have recently bought a 2004 Boxster. a week ago I noticed what I thought was some small deposit on the hinged flap on the arm rest on the drivers door. I tried to gently rub it off only to find that it was actually the mottled 'plastic' surface layer that had a small blister. It seems that the surface layer had separated in a couple of small spots from the main body of the flap. So now I have a couple of ugly peeled spots.

I then noticed yesterday that the same is happening on the surface layer next to the softtop up-down switch which as a 1-2mm blister developing where the surface material is lifting off the plastic underneath.

I am wondering if I have had something on my elbow and finger that has reacted with the surface layer (maybe sunblock/sunscreen??)

Being new to Porsches, I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. My worry is what else is ready to start blistering

djomlas · 05-08-2007, 07:47 AM

sunscreen it is.
some cars, like my 98, doesnt have that material on the armrest flap so sunscreen or not, it wont bubble up

Boxtaboy · 05-08-2007, 07:56 AM

You know what is scary though? I've seen the sunscreen actually bubble up the material on my plain center console too (hence needing to replace with a painted one), and the vinyl on some peoples' dash. Wonder what chemical is being used in some sunscreens that does this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by djomlas

sunscreen it is.
some cars, like my 98, doesnt have that material on the armrest flap so sunscreen or not, it wont bubble up

djomlas · 05-08-2007, 08:04 AM

makes em wonder too.
anyone willing to screw up a few pieces to determine which sunscreen does it?

i nominate unklekraker

986 Girl · 05-08-2007, 08:06 AM

No kidding? I'm -extremely- surprised that that. Out at events, I put a good 3-5 coats of SPF 40 or higher sunscreen on throughout the day. I'm sweaty, I'm doing runs, I'm sure I get it on my car, but never a problem. And I've used several different brands too. Crazy.

djomlas · 05-08-2007, 08:08 AM

all i can tell you then is stick with those brads hehehe
and if you dont mind, mention what brand you did use so we have something that will not damage it.

Boxtaboy · 05-08-2007, 08:10 AM

I still have some left over that caused the bubbling in my car. Can bring some over to you if you'd like to confirm my statement on your car's interior.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 986 Girl

No kidding? I'm -extremely- surprised that that. Out at events, I put a good 3-5 coats of SPF 40 or higher sunscreen on throughout the day. I'm sweaty, I'm doing runs, I'm sure I get it on my car, but never a problem. And I've used several different brands too. Crazy.

986 Girl · 05-08-2007, 09:07 AM

Didn't say I didn't believe you... I'm just extremely surprised by it.

I use Coppertone spray on (SPF 30 was the highest in that that I could find), and banana boat sport SPF 40 and sometimes SPF 50 as regular goop on.