Audio and other dash buttons, skin peeling off

[Hintzy]

Just took delivery of a 2006 GTI, love it immensely, but just noticed the skin is starting to peel off some of the most used audio buttons and door pockets -
I also have a 2000 TT Roadster, and it's dashboard and buttons are solid mouldings, I didn't expect this type of thing from a sibling, and a more modern one at that?
Firstly, what were VW thinking, putting a thin vulnerable skin on perfectly sound moulded buttons and more.
What ever happened to the perceived longevity and robustness of this German product - I envisage over time that all of this thin skin will peel off all of the dash and look very, very ugly.
Anyway, does anyone know of a touch up repair that will curtail further degradation of what I see as a big weakness to the longevity of the appearance of the interior?

(ps, long term VW lover, having had 3 Air Cooled Kombi's, two Air Cooled Bugs, one Air Cooled type 3 Variant, a Passat TS, Passat Wagon, Audi 80 V6, A3, A4 -)

[Umai Naa!!]

It's pretty normal. They should've knocked that idea on the head after the MK4 Golf and New Beetle. Some cars have fared quite well though, but others look downright trashed.

Most of the bits are pretty cheap to replace. You can buy new knobs for the radio, but not the buttons.

[robbie]

i will sell you my excellent condition rcd500

[robbie]

immaculate radio

[macdoc]

There's a TSB on the interior buttons 'paint peeling off' for Mk5. Caused usually be hand lotion of all things! I've got a copy somewhere on my PC, PM if you want a copy.

Macdoc

[jessv3]

My 06 gti isnt peeling at all and ive got 117k.. However I did notice that the power mirror switch has a few bubbles in the coating over the paint.. I also came from owning an older Audi and really notice a drop in build quality with the gti. Apperently even the mk4 gti had a higher build quality then the mk5.

Sent from my HTC Desire Z using Tapatalk

[Hintzy]

Interesting

There's a TSB on the interior buttons 'paint peeling off' for Mk5. Caused usually be hand lotion of all things! I've got a copy somewhere on my PC, PM if you want a copy.
and tried that - The satin is too glossy and looks like a bad attempt to repair, the flat back is better, but still not great
Macdoc

Thanks for the offer, but no need to send a copy, I'll just make sure my wife doesn't use hand lotion before going for a drive. I'm really interested if there is a fix for this problem - I've bought some Satin black and Flat Black acrylic model paint. Satin is too glossy, Flat is just OK.
I've aslo bought a brushed aluminium look vinyl applique that surrounds the sound system front end and also the "Ashtray" - it does take the emphasis away from looking at the buttons and actually looks quite good - better than I expected, quite a quality product out of the UK on eBay.