Chrome trim going bad..

BMWI6 · 03-30-2008, 12:10 PM

Hi, I have 335i sedan with the chrome trim around the windows and it is apparently permanently stained with water marks... does anyone know a good product to restore the finish without damaging the paint around it? thanks

mdmaxxx · 03-30-2008, 12:16 PM

same thing happened to mine

Roowah · 03-30-2008, 12:16 PM

It may not be permanently stained. After awhile, my trim gets a foggy water-stained look to it. I have a feeling its from washing the car frequently. What seems to remove it, if yours is the same problem, is to polish it. I just use the same polish that I use for the paint. I'm sure you could use a chrome polish as well.

mds82 · 03-30-2008, 05:56 PM

try a chrome polish - they work really well

ScheerSpeed · 03-30-2008, 10:48 PM

its not real chrome on the E92 335i. use a polish like you would paint.

Lshaw · 03-30-2008, 10:56 PM

Just regular Paint polish?

What material is the trim anyways?

snipersix · 03-30-2008, 11:01 PM

best solution is get a black trim to cover it. Better maintenance and better look

GreenThree · 03-31-2008, 09:25 AM

Same thing happened to my A4. There are marks and noticable waterspots on the chrome trim. Have had the car for three years. True it is only noticable when you are standing right next to the car, but still does not look good.

I wanted the chrome trim on the e90, but for this reason, I am happy I am not going with it.

BK · 03-31-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

its not real chrome on the E92 335i. use a polish like you would paint.

Do you use a buffer over the trim? I've covered mine with tape when I polished. I can't imagine the cleanup job I'd have if I got a bunch of polish behind it. Or are you saying you use a regular polish but by hand?

My chrome trim is water stained too. I was thinking of using Scratch-X by hand. I have chrome polish, but I didn't want to get it that close to my paint. I guess I could tape.

ScheerSpeed · 03-31-2008, 11:40 AM

the E90 is real chrome, E92 is painted (not chrome)

just use it with a machine and polish. i re-wash all the cars i detail anyways after polishing so it really doesn't make a difference, so i only tape up peices of trim that can get stained by polish.

Atsnow · 05-17-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

the E90 is real chrome, E92 is painted (not chrome)

just use it with a machine and polish. i re-wash all the cars i detail anyways after polishing so it really doesn't make a difference, so i only tape up peices of trim that can get stained by polish.

E90 is not chrone ( I should know I have 2 of them)

I tried chrome polish yesterday and it did not do anything
I will try regular wax and let you guys know

sparkyg · 05-17-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

the E90 is real chrome, E92 is painted (not chrome)

just use it with a machine and polish. i re-wash all the cars i detail anyways after polishing so it really doesn't make a difference, so i only tape up peices of trim that can get stained by polish.

Good call.

Do you recommend rewashing always after polish or is it since you do the whole car you just rewash anyhow before sealing it.

Thx.

ScheerSpeed · 05-17-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkyg

Good call.

Do you recommend rewashing always after polish or is it since you do the whole car you just rewash anyhow before sealing it.

Thx.

i only rewash after polishing a whole car to get the polishing dust out of the cracks and stuff.

03-30-2008, 12:10 PM	#1
BMWI6 Major 106 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	Chrome trim going bad.. Hi, I have 335i sedan with the chrome trim around the windows and it is apparently permanently stained with water marks... does anyone know a good product to restore the finish without damaging the paint around it? thanks __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-30-2008, 12:16 PM	#2
mdmaxxx Captain 28 Rep 826 Posts Drives: 2007 335i AW Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (2)	same thing happened to mine
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2008, 12:16 PM	#3
Roowah Captain 29 Rep 811 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (0)	It may not be permanently stained. After awhile, my trim gets a foggy water-stained look to it. I have a feeling its from washing the car frequently. What seems to remove it, if yours is the same problem, is to polish it. I just use the same polish that I use for the paint. I'm sure you could use a chrome polish as well. __________________ 2006 E90 330i 6MT: TiAg\|Black Leather\|Poplar Trim\|Premium Package\|Cold Weather Package 2003 E46 325i 5MT: Retired - The beginning of my BMW obsession!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2008, 05:56 PM	#4
mds82 Major General 381 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	try a chrome polish - they work really well
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2008, 10:48 PM	#5
ScheerSpeed Major General 447 Rep 5,766 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	its not real chrome on the E92 335i. use a polish like you would paint.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2008, 10:56 PM	#6
Lshaw Lieutenant Colonel 255 Rep 1,873 Posts Drives: 09 335i 6mt Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NYC/Pittsburgh iTrader: (21)	Just regular Paint polish? What material is the trim anyways? __________________ 07 335xi (2007-2010) 08 Legacy Spec B (08-) 09 335i (2010-) 15 X5 xdrive 35i (2015-) 17 Forester XT (2016-)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-30-2008, 11:01 PM	#7
snipersix Brigadier General 242 Rep 3,807 Posts Drives: Retired 2017 F87 M2 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby iTrader: (3) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00]	best solution is get a black trim to cover it. Better maintenance and better look __________________ 2017 M2 Coupe:\|Black Sapphire Metallic\|DCT\|Nav/Idrive\|M Performance CF Spoiler\|M Performance CF DCT Interior\| M Performance Gloss Black Kidney Grills\| M Performance Steel Pedals \| Eventuri CF CAI \| 19" Brixton Rims \| KW V3 Clubsport \| Retired: \|2008 328i Sedan\|Montego Blue\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2008, 09:25 AM	#8
GreenThree Colonel 227 Rep 2,110 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Same thing happened to my A4. There are marks and noticable waterspots on the chrome trim. Have had the car for three years. True it is only noticable when you are standing right next to the car, but still does not look good. I wanted the chrome trim on the e90, but for this reason, I am happy I am not going with it. __________________ 2015 335xi \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| NAV \| SportLine \| ZPP \| ZDA \| ZCW \| Munich Build Retired: 2008, 2011, 2013 328xi
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2008, 11:40 AM	#10
ScheerSpeed Major General 447 Rep 5,766 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	the E90 is real chrome, E92 is painted (not chrome) just use it with a machine and polish. i re-wash all the cars i detail anyways after polishing so it really doesn't make a difference, so i only tape up peices of trim that can get stained by polish.
	Appreciate 0 Quote