Aluminum trim scratches easy

e90fanatic · 11-22-2005, 05:42 PM

This piss me off...dropped off my car at an installation place and the guy's coat scratches the aluminum trim on my driver's door. Any way to fix this besides replacing it? Wish they put a layer of protection over the trims so that it doesn't scratch that easily...

theclay · 11-22-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

This piss me off...dropped off my car at an installation place and the guy's coat scratches the aluminum trim on my driver's door. Any way to fix this besides replacing it? Wish they put a layer of protection over the trims so that it doesn't scratch that easily...

Calm down, this isn't BMW's fault, I would talk to guy who scratched it or his boss.
Aluminum is a soft metal so it scratches easily. It can be cut with the same blade that cuts wood and can be bent with little effort (compared to steel).
A layer of whatever over the aluminum would take away from it's brushed "look". You know your paint will also scratch with ease, so why not start a rant about that as well?

e90fanatic · 11-22-2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclay

Calm down, this isn't BMW's fault, I would talk to guy who scratched it or his boss.
Aluminum is a soft metal so it scratches easily. It can be cut with the same blade that cuts wood and can be bent with little effort (compared to steel).
A layer of whatever over the aluminum would take away from it's brushed "look". You know your paint will also scratch with ease, so why not start a rant about that as well?

im not saying it's bmw's fault, so stop being a smartass. The aluminum was scratched by a mechanic at the place where i hardwired my V1. No $hit that aluminum is soft metal. A thin layer of clear laquer will still keep the look of brushed aluminum. Unless you like to feel your trim every day? The position of the trim cannot be worse because your zippers are there. Paint does scratch easy...that's why I have clear bra! My point is that mechanics are not curtious to customers' cars.

ward · 11-22-2005, 06:07 PM

so is the shop going to pay for new trim????

what kind of clothes do you wear that have zippers that get on your trim??

if you laquered over the AL it would feel/look cheap just like all the other manufacturers (softness of AL is probably why most manufacturers use plastic instead)

theclay · 11-22-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

im not saying it's bmw's fault, so stop being a smartass.

Well you were saying that in a way by claiming that BMW should put a layer of protection over it. Sorry about being a smartass but that's just the way I am. Oh, and I do like to feel my trim, I work with aluminum every day at work so I guess I'm fond of it.
Maybe a new mechanic is in order. BTW, what kind mechanic works at an installation place?

e90fanatic · 11-22-2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

so is the shop going to pay for new trim????

what kind of clothes do you wear that have zippers that get on your trim??

if you laquered over the AL it would feel/look cheap just like all the other manufacturers (softness of AL is probably why most manufacturers use plastic instead)

coats? the zipper swings everywhere...one bad move, ur trim gets it. I'd actually rather have them offer a thing to stick over the aluminum trim to protect it. Plastic would work as well.

e90fanatic · 11-22-2005, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclay

Well you were saying that in a way by claiming that BMW should put a layer of protection over it. Sorry about being a smartass but that's just the way I am. Oh, and I do like to feel my trim, I work with aluminum every day at work so I guess I'm fond of it.
Maybe a new mechanic is in order. BTW, what kind mechanic works at an installation place?

I don't care about feeling aluminum. Once is enough....don't tell me you rub ur trim every day to get all high ...It's a mod shop. The guy does all of the stuff on the car including hardwire.

theclay · 11-22-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

...It's a mod shop. The guy does all of the stuff on the car including hardwire.

Including scratches as well.

ward · 11-22-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

coats? the zipper swings everywhere...one bad move, ur trim gets it. I'd actually rather have them offer a thing to stick over the aluminum trim to protect it. Plastic would work as well.

Oh, I don't wear coats in my car, given it doesn't get that cold in CA though

I had the hardest time trying to figure out how on earth someone would get their groin near the aluminum trim

ZenDriver · 11-22-2005, 11:40 PM

this is no big deal-

Get a Scotch Brite pad and rub the scratch out in the same direction as the original grain. The scratch won't be completly removed, but it will be hardly noticable.

e90fanatic · 11-23-2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

this is no big deal-

Get a Scotch Brite pad and rub the scratch out in the same direction as the original grain. The scratch won't be completly removed, but it will be hardly noticable.

thanks! never thought of that

e90fanatic · 11-23-2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Oh, I don't wear coats in my car, given it doesn't get that cold in CA though

I had the hardest time trying to figure out how on earth someone would get their groin near the aluminum trim

haha...no wonder...it's -5 C here...and it's snowing..worse of all, i don't even have my snows on yet

SilverE90Sport · 11-23-2005, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

this is no big deal-

Get a Scotch Brite pad and rub the scratch out in the same direction as the original grain. The scratch won't be completly removed, but it will be hardly noticable.

This works well. Apply just the right amount of pressure.

carl_d · 11-23-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

this is no big deal-

Get a Scotch Brite pad and rub the scratch out in the same direction as the original grain. The scratch won't be completly removed, but it will be hardly noticable.

Great tip - thanks.

john5on2000 · 11-23-2005, 11:21 AM

Is that thing the one for washing dishes?

ZenDriver · 11-23-2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Is that thing the one for washing dishes?

Yea. Start with the green (medium) pad commonly used to wash dishes.

If it doesn't work, Home Depot will carry the more abrasive ones (Red). Work your way up till the scratch goes away.

jmcphillips1 · 11-23-2005, 03:28 PM

I am sorry you have had trouble with your aluminum trim. It is unfortunate that is scratches so easily.

uhaulball · 05-30-2006, 02:37 PM

who the hell gets someone else to hardwire the v1 for them anyways... its so easy, almost plug and play.

Brunotheboxer · 05-30-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhaulball

who the hell gets someone else to hardwire the v1 for them anyways... its so easy, almost plug and play.

this thread is like 7 months old.

Tom (Atl) · 01-02-2014, 11:51 AM

Will the scotch brite trick work on newer 'carbon fiber' pattern aluminium trim?

Or does it only work for 'brushed' looking trim?

Otruba_843 · 01-02-2014, 07:50 PM

Holy thread revival!

11-22-2005, 05:42 PM	#1
e90fanatic Absolute0 177 Rep 5,078 Posts Drives: Has a Roundel Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TO/HK/NJ iTrader: (6)	Aluminum trim scratches easy This piss me off...dropped off my car at an installation place and the guy's coat scratches the aluminum trim on my driver's door. Any way to fix this besides replacing it? Wish they put a layer of protection over the trims so that it doesn't scratch that easily... __________________ To procede or not to procede......
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-22-2005, 06:07 PM	#4
ward Major General 163 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	so is the shop going to pay for new trim???? what kind of clothes do you wear that have zippers that get on your trim?? if you laquered over the AL it would feel/look cheap just like all the other manufacturers (softness of AL is probably why most manufacturers use plastic instead)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-22-2005, 11:40 PM	#10
ZenDriver Do Not Taunt Zen Driver. 12 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 325i w/ MT, ZSP in Graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	this is no big deal- Get a Scotch Brite pad and rub the scratch out in the same direction as the original grain. The scratch won't be completly removed, but it will be hardly noticable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-23-2005, 11:21 AM	#15
john5on2000 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Is that thing the one for washing dishes?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-23-2005, 03:28 PM	#17
jmcphillips1 Captain 69 Rep 667 Posts Drives: 2012 128 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	I am sorry you have had trouble with your aluminum trim. It is unfortunate that is scratches so easily.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-30-2006, 02:37 PM	#18
uhaulball Brigadier General 203 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	who the hell gets someone else to hardwire the v1 for them anyways... its so easy, almost plug and play. __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2014, 11:51 AM	#20
Tom (Atl) BMW Fan 150 Rep 314 Posts Drives: wego Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Germany / US iTrader: (1)	Will the scotch brite trick work on newer 'carbon fiber' pattern aluminium trim? Or does it only work for 'brushed' looking trim?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2014, 07:50 PM	#21
Otruba_843 Lieutenant Colonel 98 Rep 1,509 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Egg Harbor - Athens iTrader: (0)	Holy thread revival! __________________ 2009 E90 328i Monaco Blue premium/idrive/convience/logic-7/cold weather/ xenons/ saddle brown interior
	Appreciate 0 Quote