Mirror/Trim Oxidation Solution

**Allwheel** · 07-14-2008 08:24 AM

I have an '04 S4 and live near the ocean. The oxidation was very bad on my mirrors and window trim making them almost white and very cloudy. The dealership quoted me almost $3,800 to replace the trim and mirrors. I fixed the problem for $10.

I simply wet sended with 2000 grit sandpaper and then applied a chrome polish. The results were night and day. I could/will make them brand new by applying a clear coat (available at www.bavauto.com shh!).

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to post yet and hope that this helps other S4 owners out there. Just remember to tape off trim area to protect the painted surface etc. It' s a simple and fun project too with dramatic results.

**snowbird** · 07-14-2008 08:49 AM

You can polish them with normal car polish to remove the oxidation as well. Probably don't need anything as aggressive as wetsanding. Then seal and protect them with something like Klasse AIO and top with a good wax. Will come out looking good as new!

But you're right - replacement is not necessary.

**drvolkl** · 07-14-2008 09:41 AM

Yeah, I just quickly went over mine with turtle wax chrome polish and it took a lot of crud off. I think if I spent some time, that's all I'd need.

**PSYC0TIC ONE** · 07-14-2008 12:32 PM

i was wondering about this... mine isn't that bad but, i'm sure it will get worse living in hawaii

**cam** · 07-14-2008 12:35 PM

so chrome polish, and not aluminum polish?

**mfresh2k2** · 07-14-2008 01:50 PM

Did you wet sand the window trim? And if so, what grit should we use to do it? I think it is metal coated with plastic, right? My car is an 05.5 and it is starting to do the same, mirrors look ok still. thx

**JayNYS4** · 07-14-2008 02:03 PM

For oxidations, you can probably just use an aggressive polish (light cutting), and then follow up with a fine polish, then wax.

This works for the Aluminum trims, etc.

Recently, my Carbon Fiber License plate frame showed pretty bad oxidation near the bottom. I simply took it off, and did the polish (light/fine) and wax... and it looks as good as new.

I think wet-sanding is a little bit aggressive and you're removing more material than necessary, but it'll work.

For those interested, try polishing first. I just used my Porter Cable (random orbital w/ light cutting pad) and it does the job.

**Storm33** · 07-14-2008 08:29 PM

This is great information. I bought some black automotive vinyl on eBay recently to cover it up, but I think I would rather see how the chrome cleans up first.

I may try some rubbing compound followed by wax. I may have 22 feet of blackout vinyl for sale soon!

**snowbird** · 07-15-2008 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by cam

so chrome polish, and not aluminum polish?

Neither. I was suggesting to use PAINT polish. Very very mild compared to bare metal polish, and works perfectly.

Klasse AIO can be applied by hand, and is very good at chemically removing oxidation and subsequently sealing the finished surface. I'd still follow it up with a wax.

Paint polish is a slight abrasive, and mechanically (i.e. physically) removes the oxidation. For best results, you'd use a machine (e.g. Porter Cable 7424 polisher) to apply it. And again, follow up with a sealer/wax to protect the oxidation from coming back.

The trim is fairly delicate stuff, so I'd avoid sanding/wetsanding entirely.

**97ss10** · 08-28-2008 09:05 AM

Is the S4 trim the same as A4 3.0 trim? I read that the trim on the A4 was basically painted and clear coated aluminum and metal polish did no good on since since it's paint, not metal. I confirmed that after I tried both aluminum and chrome polishing by hand with no results. My next move would be to replace/repaint the trim. I even considered painting it black?

**b00st** · 08-28-2008 10:57 AM

yeah that chrome trim is actually plastic. might want to rethink your strategy.

i know we tried it on my brothers S4. his trim was badly oxidized. mine wasn't. i had all the different polishes....doesn't work. its painted plastic.