Staining on black trim on X3

My sons X3 has ‘staining’ on the blackout trim around the windows. I thought I had gotten some of it off with a fine polishing paste. Not so. Anyone else have this? Solutions? I imagine you could replace all the trim, but that would prove costly.

Perry

Is that just water spot / road salt? I would take it to a detailer and have them clay/compound/polish/seal the whole thing.

Pick up some Meguiars Ultimate Compound from Oreillys or Walmart ,etc.
Grab a couple microfiber applicator pads.
Do a small spot on the pillar with a dime size dot of UC 9n the pad.
Work a size maybe 1 inch by 2 and stay with that spot. Don't go hog wild smearing over the pillar
Wipe off clear oily residue with a microfiber towel and repeat.
That will tell you if it can be polished out.
You can't break what is broke and that bottle of compound should be in everyone's arsenal.

To me it looks like some sort of solution was sprayed on and never rinsed or wiped off. Never saw anything like it. Automatic car wash final wax??????

Straight ammonia might clean it up. Tread carefully and just do a small spot to test.

I always use compound as a last resort as it is nothing more than ultra fine sandpaper.

Good luck and hope you let us know how you make out.

Nearly every bmw I see in London has that. It’s the chemicals they use for cleaning wheels, the car wash spray it onto the whole car. In a hot day it stains.

So I’m told. Either way BMW wouldn’t replace my trim under warranty. Recommend I take to a detailer to try polishing out.

The only way to resolve it 100% is to replace and make sure you don’t use any chemicals on the car in future. That’s why my 435 looks like crap. It’s thousands to replace it so I will also be trying the polish.

Welcome to the crappy world of M Sport trim.

Does anyone have any feedback on these suggestions? I’m just now getting round to mine and wondered if anyone had any luck.

Just found out I can’t replace the F33 trim without replacing all the seals as well...

It is a common problem across many platforms. I fixed mine with common household stuff, probably melamine foam, as I eschew horribly expensive branded stuff.

Originally Posted by Doug Huffman

It is a common problem across many platforms. I fixed mine with common household stuff, probably melamine foam, as I eschew horribly expensive branded stuff.

I’d never heard of that until you mentioned it. It’s so trashed may as well give it a go.

Melamine foam is basically a fine grade of sand paper. I wouldn't use sand paper on a shiny surface.

Originally Posted by FXDL

Melamine foam is basically a fine grade of sand paper. I wouldn't use sand paper on a shiny surface.

How is polish different from “a fine grade of sand paper?” My black trim pieces are not shiny in the way the body paint shines.

I would have a better argument if I knew and could specify the equivalent grit and hardness of melamine foam. Suffice it to say that it appears to me to be very fine and not particularly hard.

Much of my understanding of abrasion was acquired for grinding and polishing mirrors and lenses.