Monkeyboy

2001 A4 1.8T QMS

My passenger rear C-Pillar cover was looking pretty nasty. Looked like a combination of water and/or excess glue on the C-Pillar cover. After clearing out my sunroof drains, I needed to clean my C-pillar cover (or buy a new one).
<img src="https://home.comcast.net/~thomapa1/audi/CPillar/cpillarstart.jpg">


You may want to clear your sunroof drains in case your problem was caused by a clogged drain. Mine ended up being very clean, so this problem may come back for me.

Turn the car off.

Start by using your fingers to open the plastic 'Airbag'indicator cover. There is a single hex screw located underneath.
<img src="https://home.comcast.net/~thomapa1/audi/CPillar/cpillarcover.jpg">

Remove the screw
<img src="https://home.comcast.net/~thomapa1/audi/CPillar/cpillarscrew.jpg">

With the screw removed, use your fingers to pry under an edge of the C-Pillar cover. Gently pry the cover off. Mine did not require much force at all. The entire cover came off as I pried under one edge.
<img src="https://home.comcast.net/~thomapa1/audi/CPillar/cpillarclips.jpg">

<img src="https://home.comcast.net/~thomapa1/audi/CPillar/cpillarclips2.jpg">

With the C-Pillar cover removed, it is time to clean it.

I used a clean white T-shirt and blotted it wet.
Then I applied some spot/stain remover directly to the c-pillar cover. Massaged it in with my wet rag.

After a few minutes, I took another clean white T-shirt soaked in water and brushed the C-Pillar. I let it dry in the shade for @1 hour.

Reassemble.
Line up the cover, making sure there are no wires that will be pinched. Press the clips into their respective holes.
Make sure the screw hole (under the plastic 'Airbag' cover) is lined up.
Apply a little Blue Loctite to the screw (not entirely necessary), and secure.
Press the 'Airbag' cover back in.
Done.

<img src="https://home.comcast.net/~thomapa1/audi/CPillar/cpillarclean.jpg">

kennyc

nice, but what's the cause of your stain?

Monkeyboy

which I attempted to clear by removing the rear bumper and snaking the sunroof drains. They were very clean. So maybe a small hole in my sunroof drain tube? or some other water infiltration...Honestly, it looked like alot of glue seepage.

mAd1(gt3071r)

Great job. Did you unplug the battery when doing this?

Monkeyboy

No, just made sure car was off.