Audi Chrome trim cleaning

[benjie]

Is it really aluminium? I thought it was some kind of cheap chrome covered by some see-through strip of plastic? I thought the cloudyness was on the inside because of something like water ingress?

[Col]

Is it really aluminium? I thought it was some kind of cheap chrome covered by some see-through strip of plastic? I thought the cloudyness was on the inside because of something like water ingress?

Nope, I've got plastic chrome on my current Ford but Audi use proper solid metal ! No sure if it is raw ali or an ali alloy though.

What I do know is that it polishes up a treat but is hard work !

[benjie]

I had no idea?!
Right, Baby Oil tomorrow just as a quick tester (all the auto shops round here are shut!)

Then I'm raiding the shops for some Farecla stuff!

[Col]

I had no idea?!
Right, Baby Oil tomorrow just as a quick tester (all the auto shops round here are shut!)

Then I'm raiding the shops for some Farecla stuff!

Once you have bought back up to scratch and have a finish you are happy with you simply maintain it bu making sure you keep it waxed.

The Farecla stuff you will probably need to order online or off e-bay.

[benjie]

Thanks for that, I'll keep my eyes open. I'm really please as I didn't realise anything could be done about them!

[JimC64]

Is it really aluminium? I thought it was some kind of cheap chrome covered by some see-through strip of plastic? I thought the cloudyness was on the inside because of something like water ingress?

Benjie, you are totally right as far as I'm aware. They are as you say not chrome at all but some cheap imitation. I've had it from the horses mouth in the form of service reception and then parts personnel have confirmed this.
I've had 3 sets replaced under warranty

[skymaster]

Does anyone have an old trim the could cut open so we can see a cross section? Would be good to know if it's solid metal or plastic with a foil / lacquer covering...

Service reception at main dealers .... I never regard them as the horses mouth... have heard some spout utter nonsense in the past...

[JimC64]

I hear ya skymaster, and would normally agree, however, I've been using this dealer for years and am on first name terms with the service reception manager and the parts guy.
Had lengthy discussions with them on this issue......to the point where we've talked about handling of these chrome trims.
Seemingly they can be dropped into a travel cage from a height casuing hairline cracks at the end....BAM thats them knackered.
This issue is causing Audi ££££ and they are currently looking at beeter ways of handling them for shipment.

Might be a better idea just to use REAL Chrome I woulda thought

[elitedetailer]

Hi

The problem is once the trim is tarnished you are stuck in a viscous circle. Although if you polish it, it will look better, you will need to do this regularly as it is susceptible to being marked again very easily. The trim is coated and once damaged and polished you will basically be polishing the bare metal trim. It would be wide to keep it waxed for added protection.

Regards
Elite Detailer Team

[Col]

Benjie, you are totally right as far as I'm aware. They are as you say not chrome at all but some cheap imitation. I've had it from the horses mouth in the form of service reception and then parts personnel have confirmed this.
I've had 3 sets replaced under warranty

Wrong.

They are solid metal and will polish up. I have done this sucessfully on both my old Passat B5.5 and my Audi A6.

Dealers will quite obviously want to replace them as it is better for them i.e. minimum effort for maximum return. If they can recover their outlay as a warranty claim from VW or Audi UK they will.

If you have to pay for them yourself and they are not covered by the warranty then you should try and polish them up.