[BMWfan73]

In several areas around the doors I'm noticing a sort of fading and streaks (for lack of a better word to describe it) in the black chrome trim. Is this common? Anything that can be done about it short of replacing all of the affected trim pieces? Is this "normal" after 5 years?

[e30lover318i]

Very common find yourself a good local detailer to buff the trim or buy a small polisher and try it yourself!

[tracer bullet]

Agreed. I used polishing compound and a lot of "elbow grease" and it is gone.

Stayed that way for a year, then I got weak and went through an automated car wash and whatever chemical they used made it come right back.

[BMWfan73]

Thanks, I did some googling and found a lot on this around the interwebz. BMW's own service bulletin discussing it says to use Meguiar's #9 so I'll stop off at O'Reilly after work and try it out this weekend.

[e30lover318i]

If you want to go the extra step get some “ceramic coat” and apply it after you buff to seal it, I use Cquartz it holds up extremely well

[BMWfan73]

I picked up a bottle of Meguiar's #9 last night and tried a small area. Works perfectly! I'll do the rest of the car this weekend.

[GOLFFRR]

what sort of washing techniques and products have you beed using?

[BMWfan73]

Nothing yet, I just got the car a week ago. Weather has been cold and windy so this weekend was going to be my first wash. As far as products (what I've used with my Land Rover), I stick with good quality stuff such as Gyeon Bath, Gyeon Tire, Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner, Wowo's interior cleaner and finisher, claybar, CarPro IronX and CarPro CQuartz ceramic coating. My research says that it's caused by hard water, harsh auto car wash machines/soaps/chemicals and environmental.

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

what sort of washing techniques and products have you beed using?

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by BMWfan73

Nothing yet, I just got the car a week ago. Weather has been cold and windy so this weekend was going to be my first wash. As far as products (what I've used with my Land Rover), I stick with good quality stuff such as Gyeon Bath, Gyeon Tire, Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner, Wowo's interior cleaner and finisher, claybar, CarPro IronX and CarPro CQuartz ceramic coating. My research says that it's caused by hard water, harsh auto car wash machines/soaps/chemicals and environmental.

so many issues have hard water as variable. I have it really bad in my town. I was thinking of buying one of those softener filtration system which I hear does wonders.

[BMWfan73]

I saw a detailer on youtube setting up a reverse-osmosis system at his home so he doesn't have hard water and it's ph balanced. Not sure I'm ready to go that far, but a decent water softener system should help.

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

so many issues have hard water as variable. I have it really bad in my town. I was thinking of buying one of those softener filtration system which I hear does wonders.

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by BMWfan73

I saw a detailer on youtube setting up a reverse-osmosis system at his home so he doesn't have hard water and it's ph balanced. Not sure I'm ready to go that far, but a decent water softener system should help.

yea it seems a little drastic, I saw a similar video and the guy didn't even have to dry the car, that was kinda of appealing lol. But surely it can't be that easy.