PT Cruiser Bumper Tape Marks

[chrisb100]

I own a 2002 Limited Edition PT Cruiser. Recently my car was hit in the rear by another car which damaged the rear bumper and tail light. I brought it to a Chrysler dealer for repair. When I picked up the car, I noticed what looked like tape adhesive marks on the front bumper. Since the dealer had buffed the car, I assumed the dealer had taped the bumper to prevent wax from getting on it. The dealer was perplexed by what could have caused the marks.

I called Chrysler to discuss. I had to discuss the situation four different times as I was passed along to different personnel. While on hold, I discovered during a web search the information on the "tape marks" problem in this forum. When I brought this up to the final customer service person I spoke with, their attitude changed and they just read what sounded like a scripted response that they would not do anything in regard to this problem. The fact that I had purchased an extended 7 year warranty did not make a difference. This person then said they were a supervisor and that this was "the end of the line" for discussing my concerns. They then said that the call was "not productive" and hung up on me.

As I researched this problem, the tape marks appear to be due to some protective coating being stipped off during the painting process and the problem only appears after some time. My car is parked in a garage and meticulously maintained and I had not noticed the tape marks until this situation. While my car was at the dealer for the rear end repairs, it sat outside during the recent record setting torrential rains in Chicago for 4 days. This likely made the marks more noticeable.

I have received 2 recall notices on my car for other issues, but never received information on this problem which was due to a known manufacturing defect. This is an issue that Chrysler should have been pro-active about addressing. I have been very happy with my PT Crusier, but the way Chrysler has handled this has left a bad taste. For one of the three US car manufactuers that are looking for a $25 billion bailout from the government, this is not the way to retain customers. I, for one, will not purchase another Chrysler.

[bobs turbo pt]

i believe the marks came from when the car was shipped the bumpers were covered and taped on and that what made the marks years ago i think there was a recall but i doubt they will do anything now and good body shop can paint them to match your car just a thought

[ucantcme]

Check this:

Tape Marks Removed....

Good luck!

[StoneWhitePT2]

Originally Posted by ucantcme

Check this:

Tape Marks Removed....

Good luck!

Yes, check that thread out.... It is a Positive solution to this problem, still going strong and no more problems with my bumpers....

[jdinga]

I have a 2002 PT with the gray bumpers and the tape marks have been showing up gradually over the last year or two. I decided to search for a resolution for the problem and this page came up. I went back out to the garage with the WD-40 and steel wool and cleaned off the marks in a matter of minutes. I doubt I ever would have tried this solution, thanks very much.

[CREWZIN]

That's what this forum is all about, helping owners. Glad you found an answer even if it was 10 months old.

[crudlife66]

I am totally useless mechanically,what do I do exactly,spray some wd40 on some steel wool and polish or scrub the bumpers?
/

[ucantcme]

Originally Posted by crudlife66

I am totally useless mechanically,what do I do exactly,spray some wd40 on some steel wool and polish or scrub the bumpers?
/

Originally Posted by http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/general-pt-cruiser-discussions/18359-tape-marks-removed.html

Ok I just decided to try this out yesterday before washing my PT. I went to ACE Hardware and bought the FINE grade steel wool(NO SOS pad) and WD-40. All you do is spray the wd-40 on the small piece of steel wool almost saturating it.... Then squeeze the steel wool like you would do a wet towel. Then rub GENTLY along the bumper in the direction of the tape mark back n forth. Then take a towel n rub out the excess WD-40 on the bumper. Look at the results and it should be gone. If not all the way gone or if you can still see the light haze of the tape mark. Try another application and that should remove them completely. Thats It!! I would recommend to top the bumper with Mothers Back to Black, I didnt use it yet but Im gonna top mine today with it. But here is the results now...

There ya go

[jdinga]

I wasn't quite as ambitious with the WD-40. I sprayed just enough WD-40 to wet the steel wool. Then I rubbed the steel wool (fairly gently) in a circular motion on the tape marks. The gray bumber has somewhat of a textured surface and I did not want to make it smooth. After a few seconds, you can feel the WD-40 has softened the glue and it begins to offer some resistance. You can then wipe the surface with a paper towel and repeat as necessary.