Problem with window trim

[wifpd4]

2010-2011 Audi Q7

The window trim is stained or discolored and I'm having difficulty getting it to look good.
Any advice?
I was thinking it was aluminum, but metal polish does nothing, as does Water Spot Remover, as does Paint Restoration Creme.

First photo shows location of trim on the car, it encircles the windows.
(Ignore white bar across middle of photo, its a reflection from lights above car)

Second photo shows the staining.
It should be noted the roof rails are made of a similar product and are stained too.
Under where the cross rails attach to the main rails, the metal(?) looks nice and shiny.
The trim around one of the windows looks good too.

Used car, with new owner, no idea of cause.
Car was heavily water spotted.
I was thinking this is environmental damage, acid rain(?)

Thanks for any suggestions:

[Eldorado2k]

Do you have any D140 Wheel Brightener? If it was me, I'd dillute properly, tape off surrounding areas, spray a tad bit on a folded microfiber towel and give it a test spot.
Just my 2 cents.

[BillE]

Re: Problem with window trim

David,

I think that trim may have a 'plasticie' type of clear coat.

I used Plastx, and in my case it cleaned it up pretty well. Not perfect, but did help.

Bill

[Natron]

Re: Problem with window trim

Maybe a test spot with heavier cut? Maybe an inspection with a fairly strong magnifier? I don't know, hope you solve it and let us know. Nathan

[wifpd4]

Re: Problem with window trim

Tried and no joy,
aluminum poliish
chrome polish
mag polish
paint reconditioning creme
water spot remover
PlastX

Wondering if clear coated and it's behind clear

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Problem with window trim

Pretty sure those are either clear coated or an anodized finish. If cleared, then the problem could be throughout the clear or indeed under it, but most likely it's an anodized type of finish that has become damaged/oxidized over time. Most likely the only real fix is to aggressively strip it and recoat. Let me dig around a bit and see if I can locate someone with some solid first hand experience with one of these.

[wifpd4]

Re: Problem with window trim

To further confuse me, two pieces are in mint condition. A piece on the lower edge of a window is perfect and the upper piece on the same window is mottled (cloudy like the picture above). There are two windows like that !!!!

Thanks for everyone's input.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Problem with window trim

OK, I've gotten feedback from some pretty top notch guys who've worked on these in past, including a guy who owns a Q7. They all come back with the same thing:

• a compound and aggressive pad, often microfiber
• sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't - yep, they ALL hate this trim on Audis and BMWs
• if you do correct it, odds are the issue will come back even faster the second time around - deal with it (sort of like headlight restoration issues)

So, it sounds like going at it with a 3" microfiber pad and M100 or M105 is going to be your best bet. No guarantee, but your best shot. Have fun!

[wifpd4]

Re: Problem with window trim

Thanks, I'll try a test spot, if owner wishes to proceed. I've been pretty aggressive in one inch sections with 3" foam and nothing I've used touches it.

Thanks again all you early birds.

[wifpd4]

Re: Problem with window trim

Owner arrived and we examined the trim. Further examination it's discovered the lower trim on all four front and rear operable windows are in mint condition. The upper trim on the on the front and rear operable and all the trim on the rear seat stationary windows have the cloudy, mottled trim. The roof rails are also cloudy.

Assumption is the trim that might be used as an arm rest is different(higher quality?) from all the rest of the trim. A cost savings measure by Audi??

Owner decides not to spend time on the cloudy trim. Amen I say.

Thanks everyone.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Problem with window trim

Probably for the best as I've heard back from some other guys, including one who used to work at an Audi dealer who says once those are gone, they're gone. End of story. Which probably explains why the others who chimed in had such mixed results working on this material.

[BillE]

Re: Problem with window trim

Talked with a buddy of mine who lives on 'the coast' and asked him to check out any Audies for trim discoloration.

His report from what he sees and talking with couple of folks he knows...the damage is under the plasticie coating. He did elude to the fact that salt water 'vapor' may well be a factor in causing a lot of the damage. There is also the possibility that the coating does not completely 'seal' around the edges. Hence, the damage is creeping UNDER the coating.

Bill

[wifpd4]

Re: Problem with window trim

It seems we all like to solve problems !

Bill, your information seems to coincide with what I've recently found referenced on a Audi forum. Quoting,

I pleaded a strong case & I think the fact that I was also purchasing an Audi Music Interface module may have weighed in their decision. I also argued that they don't indicate in the owner's manual how to take care of the aluminum trim, nor did they offer an Audi product to take care of it, so Audi had no way to say I wasn't maintaining it according to their recommendations. The dealer tried a Porsche branded cleaner, but it didn't solve the problem. Audi may have an aluminum cleaner now.

That comment was about window trim on an Audi a couple years older than I was working on. One wonders why the cloudy trim issue hasn't been rectified during manufacture. Some people mentioned wrapping the trim and "blacking" it out.

My owner did indicate his Audi spent time in California. So acid rain, salt water or too much sun can easily be the causation. At least now I won't spend a bunch of time on the trim if the car returns for a detail.

Salt water and too much sun are not problems around here, unless you mean road salt.

Thanks for for your interest.

[jfelbab]

Re: Problem with window trim

Can it be that costly to just replace the trim?

[wifpd4]

Re: Problem with window trim

Jim, I vaguely remember a number of 18$ per foot, but don't remember if that was vinyl covering it or replacing it.

Here's an Audi discussion of the issue

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-d...rails-2848132/

(trim looks the same as an RX, but as you know Lexus trim stays pretty )