How to clean up chrome/brushed trim?

[Maxwild07]

Doing some spring cleaning on my S4. Wanted to know if you guys/gals had any tips on cleaning up the brushed trim around the windows and the wing mirrors. Over time mine have gotten kind of polished and reflective. Is there any way of restoring them to a little less of a reflective finish and back to a more brushed look?

[Terry.Reese]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291693080438...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Works great, just follow the directions. Edit: I think my brain is running in reverse today.. This will help get the shine back, sorry.

[Maxwild07]

Thanks for the help!

[emilio]

the B6-B7 side mirrors are a satin silver paint with clear coat over them (the B5s were actually brushed aluminum); it should look glossy in direct light. you probably shouldn't use anything abrasive to dull it out, as that will probably just damage the clear coat. instead, treat it just like the car paint: clean, clay, polish, wax.

the window trim and Avant roof rails are actually metal, but i'm not sure if they're also clear-coated. i think the window trim is but maybe not the roof rails?

- emilio

[Maxwild07]

the B6-B7 side mirrors are a satin silver paint with clear coat over them (the B5s were actually brushed aluminum); it should look glossy in direct light. you probably shouldn't use anything abrasive to dull it out, as that will probably just damage the clear coat. instead, treat it just like the car paint: clean, clay, polish, wax.

the window trim and Avant roof rails are actually metal, but i'm not sure if they're also clear-coated. i think the window trim is but maybe not the roof rails?

- emilio

That's really good to know. Now that you say that I can kinda see that they're painted clear coated. Do you have any experience with the ebay replacements for mirror housings?

[emilio]

That's really good to know. Now that you say that I can kinda see that they're painted clear coated. Do you have any experience with the ebay replacements for mirror housings?

no, but i am going to be disassembling them sometime soon. the passenger's side has started to creak a bit when going into parking mode, so it probably needs some grease.

- emilio

[Das Audi]

The B6 and some B7s side mirrors are actual aluminum not plastic as written. Part way through 2006 and onward the mirrors changed to plastic as they are today. Some owners have had the aluminum mirrors polished but don't attempt that is yours are plastic.

Also the window trims are aluminum with a clear coating that sometimes become cloudy. The don't agree the ebay stuff above will do anything to fix the cloudiness as this topic has been researched by many over the years. Some BMWs and Mercedes have the same issue with their window trims as we do.

If you do find a solution I'm all ears.

[Terry.Reese]

The B6 and some B7s side mirrors are actual aluminum not plastic as written. Part way through 2006 and onward the mirrors changed to plastic as they are today. Some owners have had the aluminum mirrors polished but don't attempt that is yours are plastic.

Also the window trims are aluminum with a clear coating that sometimes become cloudy. The don't agree the ebay stuff above will do anything to fix the cloudiness as this topic has been researched by many over the years. Some BMWs and Mercedes have the same issue with their window trims as we do.

If you do find a solution I'm all ears.

The stuff I posted actually worked for me, got the water marks off and polished them up really well. A few of the detailing shops here in town suggested it for me.

[Gosser]

See post #39 in this thread:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...4-Build-Thread
While its riskier than the polish mentioned above, I think the results are much more rewarding.

I've noticed that some S mirrors have a polished finish, while some have a satin finish. Mine is 100% satin. It also doesnt appear to be a solid aluminum vs the revised ABS version either as I've seen some 2004 mirrors listed with a polished look.

If your mirrors are already polished, then it would be really hard to get the satin back, unless you plasti-dip them with a clear. Google plastic dip chrome clear and you'll see what it does. Maybe just to that to the entire trim.

[s4ski]

As others have mentioned there is a clear coat over the trim. I've had no luck in cleaning up discolorations. Too aggressive an abradant and you risk removing the clear entirely and scratching the chrome. As Gosser stated referencing Luke's thread, I've also considered sanding down my chrome trim to create a brushed aluminum, but mine is not bad enough for that yet. Since you already have brushed aluminum, you might consider sanding out the clear and restore to an even finish. Then wax it with Renaissance wax. It won't re-polish your trim, or change the look like automative wax, but will add a protectant and preserve your brushed finish. Thread here.

[Das Audi]

See post #39 in this thread:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...4-Build-Thread
While its riskier than the polish mentioned above, I think the results are much more rewarding.

I've noticed that some S mirrors have a polished finish, while some have a satin finish. Mine is 100% satin. It also doesnt appear to be a solid aluminum vs the revised ABS version either as I've seen some 2004 mirrors listed with a polished look.

If your mirrors are already polished, then it would be really hard to get the satin back, unless you plasti-dip them with a clear. Google plastic dip chrome clear and you'll see what it does. Maybe just to that to the entire trim.

The satin finish in the link at post 39 looks very good.......nice find

- - - Updated - - -

The stuff I posted actually worked for me, got the water marks off and polished them up really well. A few of the detailing shops here in town suggested it for me.

Thanks I might give it a try too..........

[s4ski]

My b6 has aluminum mirrors - they're gorgeous. Too bad Audi opted for plastic simulations in later years.

[manhatton]

The B6 and some B7s side mirrors are actual aluminum not plastic as written. Part way through 2006 and onward the mirrors changed to plastic as they are today. Some owners have had the aluminum mirrors polished but don't attempt that is yours are plastic.

Also the window trims are aluminum with a clear coating that sometimes become cloudy. The don't agree the ebay stuff above will do anything to fix the cloudiness as this topic has been researched by many over the years. Some BMWs and Mercedes have the same issue with their window trims as we do.

If you do find a solution I'm all ears.

I want to say it was only 2004 that had aluminum.

[V70R]

Here's been my solution to cloudy window trim: Meguiars 105+205 and synthetic sealant over the window trim and rails with a PC7424. The '04 Avant shown below spent over 9 years in Texas prior to the owner moving to Portland. Unfortunately I do not have any prior/before photos but the trim was very cloudy, however it came out great. B5.5 Passat's have the same issue with the window trim, too.



Edit- Found an up-close picture of the trim from an '03 Passat from a few years ago. Keep it sealed after removing the oxidation and it should hold up pretty well.

[allroadmark]

i think it is silver anodized aluminum, try wd40

[cobraBLACK]

i think it is silver anodized aluminum, try wd40

I tried WD-40 and it worked initially but then returned to its previous state after a week or two.