[GM Lifer]

Has anyone else had these trim pieces from the lower windshield corners turn gummy and fall apart? Pieces are flaking off of mine. My 2016 Camaro has lived its whole life in Arizona, and it looks like the sun has done a number on these. I have a windshield guy who said he'd install replacements parts for me, but I have to get the parts from Chevrolet. Anyone have a part number?

[3.8TransAM]

I'm gonna go out on a limb since I only have the small picture to go off of, but some of that looks like as if something was concentrating sunlight on to parts of it...

[GM Lifer]

Originally Posted by 3.8TransAM

I'm gonna go out on a limb since I only have the small picture to go off of, but some of that looks like as if something was concentrating sunlight on to parts of it...

Nope, it's just the intense Arizona sun.

[CHASLT1]

It has to be even worse than FL so i can understand that damage.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by GM Lifer

Nope, it's just the intense Arizona sun.

And when GM tests for environmental exposure, that Arizona sun is what they test to.

Also, there are some chemicals that can ha surprisingly negative impact to plastics. You wouldn’t believe what they can do. Rain Xfor one is horrible and it’s basically what you get in some spot free rinse car washes.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by GM Lifer

Has anyone else had these trim pieces from the lower windshield corners turn gummy and fall apart? Pieces are flaking off of mine. My 2016 Camaro has lived its whole life in Arizona, and it looks like the sun has done a number on these. I have a windshield guy who said he'd install replacements parts for me, but I have to get the parts from Chevrolet. Anyone have a part number?

Can't check my car as she's already in hibernation, but the cowl grille is likely what you need, part number 84154468. MSRP for this part is $132, but I'm sure it's a lot cheaper online if they don't murder you on shipping.

[Efi69Cam]

I replaced those on my 2016 for the same reason. In my case “return to black” turned them gummy. I found out there was a change in design somewhere around the 17 or 18 model year. On the 16, the end pieces were held down to the cowl grill with a spring clip, the later ones use a plastic push fastener. The old parts are no longer serviced, you’ll need the new end pieces and cowl grill, along with the fasteners.

[DC5]

As a new resident to Arizona, I'm finding that between the intense heat and hard water, maintaining the exterior of your vehicle in ideal condition is complicated.

[Petrol Head]

Originally Posted by DC5

As a new resident to Arizona, I'm finding that between the intense heat and hard water, maintaining the exterior of your vehicle in ideal condition is complicated.

I have family in Phoenix. We always jab each other because they will laugh at Cleveland cars that rust prematurely but we laugh when their paint fades and peels, tires deteriorate rapidly, batteries die faster, interior plastic cracks and disintegrates, and you can't touch a damn thing in the car for 5 minutes until the A/C cools it down without getting 3rd degree burns

[ember1205]

Your "windshield guy" would seemingly be able to at least help you locate part numbers, even if he can't get the parts himself... No?

[GM Lifer]

Originally Posted by Efi69Cam

I replaced those on my 2016 for the same reason. In my case “return to black” turned them gummy. I found out there was a change in design somewhere around the 17 or 18 model year. On the 16, the end pieces were held down to the cowl grill with a spring clip, the later ones use a plastic push fastener. The old parts are no longer serviced, you’ll need the new end pieces and cowl grill, along with the fasteners.

I was afraid of that. I talked to a guy in the parts department at the dealership and he was saying he could sell me just the end pieces for 20-something bucks apiece, but it appeared from what he was reading that I would have to buy the middle part, as well, and that was $135 or thereabouts. Did you replace these parts yourself? Not sure I want to DIY it.

[ctrlz]

All window seals are EPDM. This should be sun/UV resistant for up to 10 years. But this material will degrade much faster if exposed to any products containing petroleum distillates. That edge flaking looks to me like chemical-induced brittleness.

[GM Lifer]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

All window seals are EPDM. This should be sun/UV resistant for up to 10 years. But this material will degrade much faster if exposed to any products containing petroleum distillates. That edge flaking looks to me like chemical-induced brittleness.

I've never treated this plastic with anything, so it's a mystery why it's falling apart. It's worse on the driver's side.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by GM Lifer

I've never treated this plastic with anything, so it's a mystery why it's falling apart. It's worse on the driver's side.

Detailer maybe? I've read that rain-x isn't necessarily good for seals. Could also be a bad batch of the polymer. EPDM is used everywhere