Hydrophobic Coating

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Stuart_D

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I was driving to work this morning and a warning bleep went off and scared the life out of me. The symbol was a round circle surrounded by dashed lines. Having looked in the handbook, it says it is the brake warning light and that the front disc pads should be checked.

So I haved booked my A2 in for a brake check and first service this Thursday (it's due for a service in a few thousamd miles anyway). They say that the first service is about £280 incl parts and labour (is not a bit steep??).

I noticed in the service manual, it says that every 2 years, the rear windscreen Hydrophobic Coating should be replaced. Anyone have any idea what this is, how much it costs, and if it really is needed?

Thanks,

Stuart.

2001 TDi SE | Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest
www.Audi-A2.co.uk | www.A2Forum.net
 
Hehe I know what you mean about the beeping.

As for the coating, because there's no rear wiper, the hatch glass is coated with a hydrophobic (water repelling) coating designed to disperse water. My A2 is in it's 2nd year so I'll be able to tell you how much it costs at the next service... :)
 
Is this some kind of variation on 'wax', except it is from Audi and 3 times the price? Anything we can do ourselves?

[img=left]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/a2ade.gif[/img=left]Audi A2 1.4SE (2003): Build Wk40/2002
Delivery Options: OpenSky
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Azure Blue
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Climate
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DIS
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APS
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Lumbar
Retrofitted: Rear Drinks Holder
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Floppy Wiper
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Rear Door Blinds
On the Web: http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk24.htm
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http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/
 
I vaguely recall a thread a good few months back with a similar theme to this. If I'm correct, Rain-X was mentioned as a possible alterntive. Might be wrong tho'.

Perhaps Smartie could shed some light on possible products?

A2%20front%20side_small.jpg
1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm
 
If there's something to put on glass to disperse rain (and its not too expensive) then I'd probably try it on all the windows, not just the rear.

[img=left]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/a2ade.gif[/img=left]Audi A2 1.4SE (2003): Build Wk40/2002
Delivery Options: OpenSky
s.gif
Azure Blue
s.gif
Climate
s.gif
DIS
s.gif
APS
s.gif
Lumbar
Retrofitted: Rear Drinks Holder
s.gif
Floppy Wiper
s.gif
Rear Door Blinds
On the Web: http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk24.htm
s.gif
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/
 
Yep, use Rain-Ex. You can get it from Halfords or sometimes QVC.

It's great-I put it on all windows, mirrors (and I put it on lights too as it repells dirty rain). Once it's applied the water just magicaly runs off like a very high gloss. You can get away with less use of the wiper too.

Costs about £6 a bottle. You can also get anti-fog for the inside windows from the same range, and a screen wash.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit
 
Is applying this thing yourself like waxing the bodywork (put on and rub off, etc.), or a spray or what? Work OK on the front grill also?

Ta

Ade

[img=left]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/a2ade.gif[/img=left]Audi A2 1.4SE (2003): Build Wk40/2002
Delivery Options: OpenSky
s.gif
Azure Blue
s.gif
Climate
s.gif
DIS
s.gif
APS
s.gif
Lumbar
Retrofitted: Rear Drinks Holder
s.gif
Floppy Wiper
s.gif
Rear Door Blinds
On the Web: http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk24.htm
s.gif
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adriancharles/
 
To answer your 1st question Ade: In principle wax is an hydrophobic coating. It's basically designed to form beads of water on the surface instead of sheets/streams to improve visibility in the rain. But if you ask Audi they'd probably tell that what they use is unique in some way.

For all I know they could be feeding me porkies but I've read that the coating they use is called 'diamonfusion' (http://www.diamonfusion.com/us/products.html) though I can't be entirely sure. In any case, diamonfusion claim their product does all sorts of wonderful things, but I can't find anything to say that it's any better than Rain-Ex. As long as Audi don't expect me to pay any more than a tenner for it then I'll cough up and take their word for it.
 
Thanks for all the explanations. My A2 is over 2 years old and so is due to have this new coating. I'll mention it on Thursday and see what they say, but to be honest it sounds to me a little like a waste of time.

I have for the past 18 months always used rain-x on all my windows & lights and would say that it makes all the difference - without it, the rear windscreen still has plenty of rain drops on it and I have never noticed any 'beading'.

2001 TDi SE | Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest
www.Audi-A2.co.uk | www.A2Forum.net
 
Never heard of the coating but a good glass cleaner preferably a polish not a liquid spray will leave a coating which will make water bead. Failing that I use a rinse aid which I put on the car after washing. It has been know in the trade to use polish but not on the front screen.

2002 1.6 FSI Azure Blue DIS Blue Interior
 
I like the sound of Rain-X - my 127 mile commute ends in the Costwold quarries which, with all the crud on the road, leaves both rear screens nicely caked in mud if the road is wet [B)]

I could do with something similar inside - in both my cars I get a rapid build up of a greasy film on the inside of the windscreen. Aside from doing something about my kebab-breath [:I] does any one have any recommendations for products to keep the inside of the windscreen clean?

p.s. Apologies to Ade for stealing the idea for his signature avatar...

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left]m.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
 
The furthest my thinking takes me is good old Halfords. They stock more or less all the car care stuff you need... but I suppose you could also try breathing through your nose ("You cheeky bas..." :D)
 
Apparently, the met paint/cc option was such a roaring success, that the latest offer is get isofix and a brat for only £50.[:eek:)]

At present this offer is only valid until the end of April, so be sure to have a look in November and see if it's still running[}:)][}:)]

A2%20front%20side_small.jpg
1.4SE petrol. http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk14.htm
 
The isofix + brat offer does expire in April - but unfortunately it's proved so popular there's a 9 month waiting list at present - first deliveries in 01/04... by which time the car will be delivered by your friendly local SEAT dealer :(

The additional annual maintenance cost is merely determined by the number of times you need to reapply SuperGuard to the interior following... um... accidents of the sort you don't need to notify to your insurance company [:0]

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left]m.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
 
quote:Originally posted by lilt

but I suppose you could also try breathing through your nose ("You cheeky bas..." :D)
Click to expand...
;) I think kebab juice gets transpired through the skin though - should have gone for the heated seats: my very own mobile rotisserie.

What was the topic again? :D

[img=left]http://www.santorini.dsl.pipex.com/a2_avatar.gif[/img=left]m.
2003 Azure Blue 1.6 FSI SE

OpenSky | Climate Control | DIS | Isofix + brat | Space-Floor-Box
ERW | Symphony II | Winter Pack | Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
 
I also heard that some lucky couples, upon application, can for a limited time only have bonus brats thrown in at random, 2, 3 or more for the price of one (not!).

The brat is of course detachable and can also be retrofitted by the industrious owner at a later date by anyone who is good with their tool. :D

sig_ade.jpg
 
I bought a bottle of Rain-X even before my car was delivered! Put it on and it lasted all of two days!!! So the bottle is still under the sink hardly used... and the makers state is for the windscreen! This has wipers that will take the stuff off even faster IMHO... if it lasts 2 days on the rear wiperless screen how long will it last on the front? Or did I just apply it incorrectly?

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[img=left]http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/180225.jpg[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk23.htm
 
While were on the subject of rear windows I thought I would let you know that my car is currently off the road due to the rear window being shot out with an air rifle whilst parked in my driveway on friday night:(. Luckily the insurance will cover the cost otherwise Audi wanted £400 for a new one. The police questioned someone but are taking it no further.

On a plus side though at least they ddin't aim at the bodywork:)

p.s. It happened whilst I was posting a message on the forum so I never got a chance to finish my post. :(

2002, 1.4, azure blue, 2 tone leather, concert II single cd. Member of A2OC site.
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk12.htm
 
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