Chrome around doors on R Line oxodising after 2 weeks

[MattB247]

Anybody else seen this? I'm off to the dealers tomorrow as I have rain / oxidisation spots on the door chrome, only got the car on the 20th May!

[gamichea]

Had mine since 6 May and have spent some time applying sealant in the last few days and have noticed nothing like that. 1900 miles on the clock. Not sure these trims are chromed metal; more likely clever plastic mouldings.

Sounds like it could be airborne pollution to me. Maybe ferrous dust followed by rain? Have you parked near a busy railway or in industrial environs recently? I've read of this sort of issue with Fords built in Cologne which travel across Europe on the railways to Flushing in the Netherlands for shipping to the UK. Wheels grinding against rails and brake blocks produce a lot of ferrous dust.

[MattB247]

The trim on the bottom of the door window sill is very different from the one around the top of the door and bottom, near the skirts, one is plastic and the other metal. Went to VW today and, funnily enough, there were a couple of brand new demonstrators sitting there that had the same problem. One side of my car is oxidised, the other isn't so they're going to replace the trim. The service manager reckons it's the traffic film remover they may have used when PDI'ing the car, but even if so then why is one side good and the other bad? Will see what happens on the 22nd.

[MattB247]

Quick update: VW told me that the chrome trim isn't covered by their warranty ... I was about to kick off and I think he saw the look on my face so he added "...but as a favour to you we will replace it this time free of charge". I should think so too, on a brand new car!

[jimgironde]

on my current Passat the chrome was replaced without question in its 3rd year.

[DPlax]

I've noticed the chrome strip below the door windows has oxidised on the n/s rear door and o/s front and rear doors. The rest is OK including the roof rails.
I think it is something that has been used when I've been to a 'hand car wash'.
Is there anything that can be used to clean it up again?

[Lukenkarl]

Quick update: VW told me that the chrome trim isn't covered by their warranty ... I was about to kick off and I think he saw the look on my face so he added "...but as a favour to you we will replace it this time free of charge". I should think so too, on a brand new car!
It will do it again. Cheap coated plastic. Same on the Audi and probably every other vag car. Wrapping sorts it, but yours is brand new so keep at the dealer.

[Sparkypw]

I had all the chrome replaced around the Windows last week under warranty last month.

[tornado_17]

On my 2016 SE, for some reason the chrome trim on the driver's side rear pax door seems to be lifting slightly and has come away from the door. It's very slight so not a massive issue aesthetically apart from water egress. Is this just a trim bonded on or can water get inside the door?