Has anyone had luck cleaning up the chrome trim around the windows?

[Dan in NZ]

BMW driver training day is coming up, so it's about time I got those strips shining! Both inside and out are dull and tarnished, I tried some "Brasso" metal polish, which made a barely noticeable difference on the outside, and no difference at all on the inside. A friend told me that bmw chrome is plastic coated so can't be polished???

Also on detailing... A local auto parts store has electric rotary buffers insanely cheap, do these do a good job? Seems a lot quicker/easier than buffing by hand.

[632 Regal]

I have tried everything from rubbing compound to that neverdull stuff, it seems like they are clear coated and the trim under is trashed. I think the only cure is blackout tape..

[dacoyote]

I had limited luck sanding the clear coat off.... and then cleaning up the chrome...

[SharkmanBMW]

I know there was a big thread on this a long time ago... i forget the results!
How much are they? they look easy to replace.......?!!!

[NielsGalan]

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13833

[SharkmanBMW]

I think JonK would know, his doors have been off once or twice with all the sweet interior work he's done.

[632 Regal]

Thanks!

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13833

[hakwuzhere]

As for the orbital buffer... from all the reading Ive done, only look for the Porter Cable 7424 or 7426

Heres a great writeup on detailing.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158378

[632 Regal]

just tried the silver polish trick and got zero results, there has to be a clearcoat on mine and Alex's didnt...weird.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13833

[Bimmerman]

I used brasso on mine until i rubbed the clearcoat off, took ages and my fingers were aching by the end but the chrome came up great, the outside trim came up no better though...

[E34 530]

Haha mine are perfectly shiny and clean, but I wish mine were like yours so they wouldn't stick out so much lol.

[Kristuphir]

Masking tape, newspaper, and...this is key...SEM Trim Paint. Works wonders.

Oh wait, you want them MORE shiny. Never mind...

[F4Phantom]

on my e30 I blacked out the chrome, it looked awesome with tinted windows. its very easy. I used an etch primer which eats into the surface then just use matt black metal paint. got a photo if anyone gives a damn.

[632 Regal]

post em brotha!

on my e30 I blacked out the chrome, it looked awesome with tinted windows. its very easy. I used an etch primer which eats into the surface then just use matt black metal paint. got a photo if anyone gives a damn.

[Qube]

I HAD SUCCESS!

The polish was flaking (damn tinters!). I 'peeled' it all off. With Brasso and a little bit of elbow grease, It's shiny now... not mirror like but uniform. Be SURE to mask your plastic trim before you Brasso or you'll have a hard time getting it out.

[Kristuphir]

post em brotha!


Here's one of mine...

[kev535i]

i used the tape and have good results been on for about 6 mths no problems used a tape from a signwriter guy they call it 5 year tape
http://www.users.bigpond.com/kevinfishing/car1.jpg

[F4Phantom]

Here's one of mine...

Mate mine was no show car like that baby and my photo's arent great but it gives you an idea of the difference, it looked very plain before the black out. I like the idea of that blackout tape, although it was not overly difficult it still took a few days to get it right. Tape looks fine in the pic too.

[1995 525i]

BMW driver training day is coming up, so it's about time I got those strips shining! Both inside and out are dull and tarnished, I tried some "Brasso" metal polish, which made a barely noticeable difference on the outside, and no difference at all on the inside. A friend told me that bmw chrome is plastic coated so can't be polished???

Also on detailing... A local auto parts store has electric rotary buffers insanely cheap, do these do a good job? Seems a lot quicker/easier than buffing by hand.

I blacked out mine..First I taped and sprayed while the trim was still on the car (see link here) but it didn't hold up so I took all the trim off and re-did it. Went and got the clips from the stealer (cause you will break your clips taking the tim off, at least i did) so reassembly was a breeze. As F4Phantom said, you have to use self etching primer and a good metal paint (I got both at autozone).

Take the trim off (highly recommended) and wash with detergent. Then sand the chrome with a medium grit sandpaper then follow with a fine grit. Wash again and wipe clean. Once it is dry spray the etching primer on the trim. I sprayed a few coats to make sure the trim was convered good. Once it is good and dry spray the black paint on.

The other pages show before and after of what it looks like. I also did my front plate the same way and it looks great.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/668949/4

That was 6 months ago and it is holding up really well. I think it looks much better, at least on my car but you will read the debate all around for those for black out trim and those against. I am for it as my car is dark and I have tinted windows.

Good Luck,

Michael