Refinishing Park Assist Sensors: Audi

Park assist sensors are part of the park assist system, just one of many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) found on vehicles today. Damaged sensors are typically replaced and may require painting to match the vehicle. Vehicle makers often provide information on the painting of new sensors. Some vehicle makers do not recommend refinishing sensors with minor finish damage because excessive paint thickness may adversely affect the operation of the park assist system. However, other vehicle makers allow refinishing and provide guidelines. Let’s see what Audi has to say.

Audi does not have published information regarding park assist sensor refinishing, so we reached out to see if we could get any additional information or insight from Audi.

Per our contact, the following must be followed to avoid malfunctions in the park assist system:

“Painting new parts:

• Maximum layer thickness 125 microns; a measurement of layer depth is absolutely essential following application of the paint
• Maximum curing temperature: 1 hour at 90° C

Painting used parts:

• Remove old finish (sand) only as far as the primer
• Minimum layer depth of 5–10 microns must remain
• Maximum layer thickness 125 microns; a measurement of layer depth is absolutely essential following application of the paint
• Maximum hardening temperature 1 hour at 90°C”

In order to accurately take a measurement of the paint thickness on a sensor, start by taking a reading of a sensor with no paint, then subtract that figure from the measurement of the painted sensor to get the actual thickness of the material. A paint thickness gauge that works with non-ferrous metal and plastic substrates must be used.

Our contact went on to state, that in addition to paint layer thickness, the following needs to be adhered to as well:

“Cleaning:
Immersion in cleaning solutions without previous masking of the plug terminals is prohibited.

Painting Area:
The face and side surfaces of membrane of the sensor are only to be painted. The painting of the side areas ranges from a minimum of 3 to a maximum 4 mm from the face side of the membrane to the rear.”

To clarify, this means that only the membrane part of the sensor is to be painted, the rest of the sensor must not be painted.

Audi requires an operation check be completed. This information can typically be found in the service manual under: Electrical Equipment, General information ➤ Rep. Gr. 97 ➤ Lines/Wiring ➤ Vehicle Diagnostic, Measuring and Information System.

Follow OEM procedures and warnings to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.

For additional Audi information, check out the Audi OEM Information page.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

• ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot
• Collision Information Website Access: Audi
• Refinishing Park Assist Sensors
• Step-By-Step: Accessing Audi Repair Information

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