Bike Rack - Installation issue.. was it fitted incorrectly?

[FredFlintstone]

So, this happened (on both sides)!

Hoping it's a problem with how the rack has been fitted?

The lower plastic parts have moved, come into contact with the tailgate and rubbed the paint off (on both sides).

Has anyone ever seen this? Is it through incorrect installation (if so, any tips)?

I've pulled the black parts away from the tailgate (they pivoted in the process) does this mean the clamps weren't tight enough?

Thanks

 

[The Tall Luthier]

The picture isn’t very clear.

Most bike racks come with clear sticky plastic stencils. Two for the top of the tailgate, two for the lower. These are paint protectors and are available from the shop.

 

[FredFlintstone]

Basically this is the top coat that has been neatly rubbed free from the tailgate by contact with the black plastic part.

 

[Andy C Berks.]

There should be clear helicopter tape at all 4 contact points for the bike rack, that are designed to stop the paint coming in to direct contact with the clamps on the bike rack. It’s hard to see in your pics if you have that. If you have the VW supplied tape then it should be visible as it’s larger than the bike rack clamps. Alternatively somebody may have used an alternative tape and maybe cut it smaller so it’s not visible until you take the rack off. Either way it needs that tape in there to protect the paint .

 

[FredFlintstone]

There should be clear helicopter tape at all 4 contact points for the bike rack, that are designed to stop the paint coming in to direct contact with the clamps on the bike rack. It’s hard to see in your pics if you have that. If you have the VW supplied tape then it should be visible as it’s larger than the bike rack clamps. Alternatively somebody may have used an alternative tape and maybe cut it smaller so it’s not visible until you take the rack off. Either way it needs that tape in there to protect the paint .

OK, so the PPF (paint protection film) is fitted at each clamp point (see red arrows).

To help explain my issue, the black plastic moulded part is able to pivot at this point (see green for pivot point).

This enables the black moulding part to contact the tailgate on both sides rubbing thro the paint (see yellow).

My thoughts are that perhaps the lower clamp screws aren't tight enough..?

Hard to explain, hope this and pics help here.

Thanks

 

[ash]

This happened to our boot lid when the bottom bike rack clamps weren't tightened enough. Operator error in our case. So yes I'd say if it was a dealer that fitted the rack then they didn't do it properly. If done well there should be a good few mm between the paint and the black plastic

 

[FredFlintstone]

This happened to our boot lid when the bottom bike rack clamps weren't tightened enough. Operator error in our case. So yes I'd say if it was a dealer that fitted the rack then they didn't do it properly. If done well there should be a good few mm between the paint and the black plastic

Thanks Ash!

At least I know it can be refitted and it's installation error, not part faliure.

Best regards