Cleaning Aluminium Trim

[architectboy]

I know there is some historic discussion on this, and that the aluminium trims are coated in a substance that deteriorates (cue the replace versus clean it arguments) but has anyone managed to find a product that brings milky/cloudy aluminium up like new?

[warp_speed]

I know there is some historic discussion on this, and that the aluminium trims are coated in a substance that deteriorates (cue the replace versus clean it arguments) but has anyone managed to find a product that brings milky/cloudy aluminium up like new?

Sorry, your out of luck. The aluminium/chrome trim is coated in a uber thin layer of transparent coating, which over time cracks and allows moisture to get behind the coating, this is what causes the aluminium/chrome to go white. The only way of fixing it, is to replace the trim or sand the coating off and re-coat the metal.

Audi quoted me £700 for parts (chrome trim) and labour to replace them. However £280 is just for the parts. There is actually two types of metal trim, chrome and aluminium. I think the aluminium is used in the RS4's and is slightly longer lasting and more durable than the chrome type and slightly easier to replace than the chrome.

My A4 B6 Audi was stunning looking until I took it, to one of those quick washes with the foam, which destroyed my chrome..... avoid anything harsh when it comes to chrome, no quick washes, no power washes and it should last. But use anything abrasive and it will damage the coating and Audi will not, under no circumstances, no chance, no hope in hell cover this under warranty.

[architectboy]

That's a shame. I had heard of a product called Quixx that was supposed to be able to get through the coating, but haven't heard if it has been used successfully yet.

[thomas_lad]

That's a shame. I had heard of a product called Quixx that was supposed to be able to get through the coating, but haven't heard if it has been used successfully yet.

useless, ive tried it, doesnt work at all. ive tried everything to sort mine as they are the only point that lets the car down!

are the trims made of abs coated plastic or are they actually metal?

[architectboy]

My handbook says simply aluminium, no more, no less.

[warp_speed]

useless, ive tried it, doesnt work at all. ive tried everything to sort mine as they are the only point that lets the car down!

are the trims made of abs coated plastic or are they actually metal?

They are actually real metal, chrome or aluminium depending on model. When I was changing my ones I took apart one of them and tried to strip the coating off the metal but the coating broke into tiny little pieces on the surface almost like safety glass.

[Mike2.0TQ]

Mine have started to go like this too, it bothers me big time as the rest of the car is stunning. It's not that bad until you park near an A4 that still has bright sparkly chrome. I've considered replacing the roof rails but not sure how much of a job it is to DIY.

Shame as I think it is an obvious fault with the car and I think it should be considered corrosion under warranty but I think Audo see even the roof bars as "trim".

Mike.

[architectboy]

I think I'm going to try polishing past the coating to the metal and protecting with wax (unless someone else has tried that and failed?). I'll let you know how I get on!

[warp_speed]

Mine have started to go like this too, it bothers me big time as the rest of the car is stunning. It's not that bad until you park near an A4 that still has bright sparkly chrome. I've considered replacing the roof rails but not sure how much of a job it is to DIY.

Shame as I think it is an obvious fault with the car and I think it should be considered corrosion under warranty but I think Audo see even the roof bars as "trim".

Mike.

Yeah Mike, my exact feeling as well, but after numerous phone calls with Audi and various Audi dealers the chrome strips are classed as trim and not covered by the bodywork warranty. In fact Edinburgh Audi said they were mechanical parts and hence not covered by body work, which is total bull. I changed the chrome on my car and it took ages. But after £270, a whole load of door card clips and window frame alignment, success.

[thomas_lad]

I think I'm going to try polishing past the coating to the metal and protecting with wax (unless someone else has tried that and failed?). I'll let you know how I get on!

yeh thats why i asked if they were actually metal or plastic, i was also thinking of doing this! let me know how you get on please!

except i was going to protect it with some poorboys wheel sealant and this is made for bare metal, i.e. polished lips on wheels

[architectboy]

I'll certainly keep you updated. As an aside, I read elsewhere that AutoGlym Bumper Care brings aluminium roof rails up a treat. I tried it today (very quick & easy to apply) and I can confirm it works! Very smooth and shiny! It seems to leave a slight coating on them which should preserve the look, but I'll update you with how long it lasts in the rain. I tried it on the aluminium window trims too and while it helped a bit, it didn't hide the clouding along the edges that mine have - I shall persevere with the polishing here I think. The materials used on the roof rails and window trims, while ostensibly both aluminium, seem to be quite different.

[EADON]

I only have this problem with the trim around my windows, I thought it was due to neglect from the previous owner! I tried a bit of metal polish but to no avail!

Any idea on a price for just the window trims? As this is also one thing letting my car down.

Thanks

Jon

[warp_speed]

I only have this problem with the trim around my windows, I thought it was due to neglect from the previous owner! I tried a bit of metal polish but to no avail!

Any idea on a price for just the window trims? As this is also one thing letting my car down.

Thanks

Jon

If I remember correctly there are two types of door trims, the bare metal trim and the ones with the rubber seal and trim combined. The combined ones are the ones your after, its not worth trying to remove the trim from the rubber, you will never do a nice job and end up with the chrome having small dents along its length, also the combo ones are an extra £10 so its not worth the hassle and price..... anyway back to the info.

Front doors are around £38 for each side and the rear ones are around £27 for the seal and chrome combo ones, I can't remember exactly how much they were, but those figures ring a bell.

The chrome around the rear C pillar glass is around £50 each and the chrome that runs down the front over the A and B pillar is around £80. I only changed the doors and C pillar ones as the chrome that runs down to the front wasn't that bad.

Once you stump up for all this chrome you will be faced with two problems. First is getting Audi to get the parts delivered without them being damaged in transit, go over them with a fine tooth comb, any dents, scratches or surface damage get them to reorder them. It took 3 to 4 attempts to get perfect ones for me.

The next problem is fitting them, it requires the door card to come off and removing the window frame, not a difficult job but doing it was a pain in the a***. Send me a PM if you need more detailed info.

Regards

[thomas_lad]

I think I'm going to try polishing past the coating to the metal and protecting with wax (unless someone else has tried that and failed?). I'll let you know how I get on!

Any joy with this mate?

[architectboy]

Hi. I tried polishing it down to the metal but the product I used didn't get through the discolouration so I've just sort of got used to it now. I'll wait until the worst of the winter weather & salt has passed, and then try again with a harsher polish.

[si69jc]

The roof rails come up nice with WD40! it doesn't last long though. The lower trims at the bottom of the windows are plastic covered, which when discoloured are buggered, but the one that start at the bottom of the rear quarter light window and run around the top of the windows are metal and also come up a bit better with a liberal coating of WD40!!!

[gaz1965]

Strange to hear that all you guys are having problems with the trim round the wndows,
my A4 is now 5 years old and look rearly good still bright and shiney.

[JimC64]

Sorry, your out of luck. The aluminium/chrome trim is coated in a uber thin layer of transparent coating, which over time cracks and allows moisture to get behind the coating, this is what causes the aluminium/chrome to go white. The only way of fixing it, is to replace the trim or sand the coating off and re-coat the metal.

Audi quoted me £700 for parts (chrome trim) and labour to replace them. However £280 is just for the parts. There is actually two types of metal trim, chrome and aluminium. I think the aluminium is used in the RS4's and is slightly longer lasting and more durable than the chrome type and slightly easier to replace than the chrome.

My A4 B6 Audi was stunning looking until I took it, to one of those quick washes with the foam, which destroyed my chrome..... avoid anything harsh when it comes to chrome, no quick washes, no power washes and it should last. But use anything abrasive and it will damage the coating and Audi will not, under no circumstances, no chance, no hope in hell cover this under warranty.


Warp speed, your comments are pretty much on the money mate!

I've had the issue almost since new on my A6 (07) and complained bitterly to my local dealer, who did in fact change my window trims 3 times iirc under a combination of warranty / goodwill!! :beerchug:

Basically on a car thats coming up for 5 yrs old I've had 4 sets including the originals on the car......doesn't matter what I did / do they alway end up goig cloudy / milky and spoil the appearance of the car:zx11:

Bloody annoying but what can you do?
As much as it gets under my skin every time I wash / polish the car I now have to live with it!

[jdp1962]

I do believe the user manual includes a warning not to use the wrong types of cleaners on the anodized aluminium trims, for risk of discolouring them.

[JimC64]

I believe you're correct jdp.

Unfortunately no one specifies what the "right" cleaner is, therefore thousands of Audi drivers are driving around with some really nicely kept, clean cars that look in excellent condition EXCEPT for having cloudy trims!

From reading this and other forums it seems that those that have experienced the problem outwigh those that don't by about 1000/1, roughly speaking of course.

my point is simply this - you'd think a Multi national blue chip company like Audi that has excellent products in the field, selling well and gaining market share would realise that if they have, lets say 2 simple issues such as.....

chrome trim discolouring / turning milky / cloudy
rear light clusters - allowing water ingress / lights suffer from condensation

that they would deal with it better!
By better, I mean, rather than simply pay for goodwill / warranty etc and have lots of unhappy customers all letting the dealers know how annoyed / angry they are that they would quite simply "fix the issue"

I can't even imagine that it would be cheaper to just keep replacing items time after time, field hundreds / thousands of phone calls, dealer visits, receive and reply to a similar amout of letters / complaints. I suspect that the time / manpower and money to deal with this would be unbelievably high?
Surely, as stated it would be cheaper / more cost effective AND give the customers more belief in the marque they choose as their daily driver to just use their exhaustive engineering and design team / huge supplier database and massive buying power to "fix the issue" ASAP
:rant::rant::cussing::cussing::rant::rant:


Sorry, and I'm now getting down from my soapbox :dunno:

[jdp1962]

I believe you're correct jdp.

Unfortunately no one specifies what the "right" cleaner is, therefore thousands of Audi drivers are driving around with some really nicely kept, clean cars that look in excellent condition EXCEPT for having cloudy trims!

From reading this and other forums it seems that those that have experienced the problem outwigh those that don't by about 1000/1, roughly speaking of course.

my point is simply this - you'd think a Multi national blue chip company like Audi that has excellent products in the field, selling well and gaining market share would realise that if they have, lets say 2 simple issues such as.....

chrome trim discolouring / turning milky / cloudy
rear light clusters - allowing water ingress / lights suffer from condensation

that they would deal with it better!
By better, I mean, rather than simply pay for goodwill / warranty etc and have lots of unhappy customers all letting the dealers know how annoyed / angry they are that they would quite simply "fix the issue"

I can't even imagine that it would be cheaper to just keep replacing items time after time, field hundreds / thousands of phone calls, dealer visits, receive and reply to a similar amout of letters / complaints. I suspect that the time / manpower and money to deal with this would be unbelievably high?
Surely, as stated it would be cheaper / more cost effective AND give the customers more belief in the marque they choose as their daily driver to just use their exhaustive engineering and design team / huge supplier database and massive buying power to "fix the issue" ASAP
:rant::rant::cussing::cussing::rant::rant:


Sorry, and I'm now getting down from my soapbox :dunno:

Wow! You really are upset about this, aren't you?

I should add, my window trims are milky too, but they were like that when I got it, so too late to do anything about it.

[JimC64]

Lol....thats me actually kinda over it:biglaugh:

Its just very annoying for someone who keeps their car clean and in the best shape possible but an issue like this outwith your control just brings it down, no matter what you do

All the best :beerchug: