M40i satin finish trim, how to clean?

faffoocasey · 07-01-2018, 05:42 PM

Anyone any recommendations on how to clean the satin trim parts (wing mirror caps, kidney grill etc). Not sure what product works well, as standard car shampoo seems to leave a residue and weird water markings on it.

Any advice appreciated

GL · 07-01-2018, 07:20 PM

I had the same question. I had some water spotting that a normal wash wouldn't lift. I found that a spray detailer works great for me. Specifically I'm using Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer. It's a lower cost product I found at Walmart and there are probably better products. But it does a good job of cleaning that finish.

faffoocasey · 07-02-2018, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

I had the same question. I had some water spotting that a normal wash wouldn't lift. I found that a spray detailer works great for me. Specifically I'm using Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer. It's a lower cost product I found at Walmart and there are probably better products. But it does a good job of cleaning that finish.

Just picked some up and yup does the trick nicely with a bit of persuasion! For those in the UK, Halfords sell the aforementioned detailer for £12 a bottle.

Tchgrif · 07-03-2018, 05:49 AM

12 pounds per bottle is ridiculous. we buy it for 8 dollars US you should get it for 5

faffoocasey · 07-03-2018, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tchgrif

12 pounds per bottle is ridiculous. we buy it for 8 dollars US you should get it for 5

Welcome to the UK, its a delight

MostlyHarmless · 07-03-2018, 08:55 AM

I would recommend using a sealant, like Optimum Opti-seal. It will clean the water spots as well as protect the finish for about 3 months.

Zorro1121 · 07-03-2018, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless

I would recommend using a sealant, like Optimum Opti-seal. It will clean the water spots as well as protect the finish for about 3 months.

Would applying Opti-Seal create a more glossy finish on the matte/satin Cerium Gray elements, including the 21" wheels?

MostlyHarmless · 07-03-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorro1121

Would applying Opti-Seal create a more glossy finish on the matte/satin Cerium Gray elements, including the 21" wheels?

Yes...slightly more glossy than stock, kind of like wax. You can also use it on your glass, your paint, and even your interior door panels.

Zorro1121 · 07-03-2018, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostlyHarmless

Yes...slightly more glossy than stock, kind of like wax. You can also use it on your glass, your paint, and even your interior door panels.

Smart to use on painted calipers too?

MostlyHarmless · 07-03-2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorro1121

Smart to use on painted calipers too?

Sure, you can use on calipers. Probably won't last as long due to heat, but easy enough to re-apply every couple of months.

kamek · 07-03-2018, 04:51 PM

Quick Detailer! Great tip!

Zorro1121 · 07-31-2018, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamek

Quick Detailer! Great tip!

I found that Eagle One Wipe and Shine isn't doing a thing to clean the 21" wheels.

Any other products that have worked for anyone? I haven't had a chance to use Opti-Seal yet.

I used cleaner wax on the mirror caps, kidneys, etc. Definitely cleaned them up, but can't wax wheels every couple days like using Wipe and Shine.

darrylo · 07-31-2018, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorro1121

I found that Eagle One Wipe and Shine isn't doing a thing to clean the 21" wheels.

Sonax not work??

Sea-Tac · 07-31-2018, 10:30 PM

Clean very carefully with a good spray detailer.

XXX3 · 07-31-2018, 11:38 PM

^^this

Rbrown · 08-01-2018, 12:16 AM

I’ve been using Chemical Guys Jet Seal. Doing a good job!

RichM50d · 08-01-2018, 02:57 PM

WD40 will do the trick

RocketRomeo · 08-01-2018, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichM50d

WD40 will do the trick

Agreed...

When I ran out I used J&J baby oil... yes you read that correct. Washed, dried thoroughly and then apply lightly with a dry cloth.

My Mrs swears by it in the kitchen on the stainless steel so thought I’d try it... and it works well and lasts.

sjtitans27 · 02-25-2019, 01:35 PM

How is the durability of the cerium grey finish?

IM_ALL_IN · 04-21-2019, 08:56 PM

Bump. Any other thoughts on how to tackle the cerium pieces and protect from water spotting? Has anyone tried polishing these pieces?

I may try laying down a layer of powerlock on it.

chicagofan00 · 04-21-2019, 10:26 PM

I found my solution to the issue. Swap all the parts out for gloss black pieces.

:

FabM40i · 04-22-2019, 01:45 AM

Found out by accident that glass cleaner works perfect on the cerium trim. All the dead bugs wiped right off with zero streaking or residue. I don’t think the brand would matter, but for reference I was using some 3M glass cleaner I had lying around.

07-01-2018, 05:42 PM	#1
faffoocasey Private 30 Rep 72 Posts Drives: BMW 3 Series 320D G21 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Glasgow, UK iTrader: (0)	M40i satin finish trim, how to clean? Anyone any recommendations on how to clean the satin trim parts (wing mirror caps, kidney grill etc). Not sure what product works well, as standard car shampoo seems to leave a residue and weird water markings on it. Any advice appreciated
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07-01-2018, 07:20 PM	#2
GL Private First Class 121 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2022 X7 M50i, 2019 540i Join Date: May 2018 Location: NW Arkansas iTrader: (0)	I had the same question. I had some water spotting that a normal wash wouldn't lift. I found that a spray detailer works great for me. Specifically I'm using Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer. It's a lower cost product I found at Walmart and there are probably better products. But it does a good job of cleaning that finish.
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07-03-2018, 05:49 AM	#4
Tchgrif Lieutenant 254 Rep 452 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: pgh pa, USA iTrader: (0)	12 pounds per bottle is ridiculous. we buy it for 8 dollars US you should get it for 5
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07-03-2018, 08:55 AM	#6
MostlyHarmless Second Lieutenant 179 Rep 292 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Salinas, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2019 BMW M240i XDri ... [0.00] 2001 Audi TT Quattr ... [0.00]	I would recommend using a sealant, like Optimum Opti-seal. It will clean the water spots as well as protect the finish for about 3 months. __________________ Current: 2018 X3 M40i (PB) Previous: 2019 M240i (EB); 2002 E46 330i in OB
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07-03-2018, 04:51 PM	#11
kamek Brigadier General 358 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [8.20]	Quick Detailer! Great tip!
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07-31-2018, 10:30 PM	#14
Sea-Tac Major 1453 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 xDrive30i [0.00] 2016 328i xDrive [0.00]	Clean very carefully with a good spray detailer.
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07-31-2018, 11:38 PM	#15
XXX3 Second Lieutenant 155 Rep 230 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	^^this __________________ 2018 GO1 X3 M40i Alpine White 2018 Acura RDX Tech Pearl White 2016 Tundra TRD Pro (sold) 2013 Boss 302 Race Red (sold)
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08-01-2018, 12:16 AM	#16
Rbrown Brigadier General 2763 Rep 4,574 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	I’ve been using Chemical Guys Jet Seal. Doing a good job!
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08-01-2018, 02:57 PM	#17
RichM50d Lieutenant 332 Rep 528 Posts Drives: ‘22 8 Series Gran Coupe Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	WD40 will do the trick
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02-25-2019, 01:35 PM	#19
sjtitans27 New Member 9 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2005 Ford F-150 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	How is the durability of the cerium grey finish?
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04-21-2019, 08:56 PM	#20
IM_ALL_IN Private First Class 57 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	Bump. Any other thoughts on how to tackle the cerium pieces and protect from water spotting? Has anyone tried polishing these pieces? I may try laying down a layer of powerlock on it.
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04-21-2019, 10:26 PM	#21
chicagofan00 Major General 19058 Rep 7,988 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [10.00]	I found my solution to the issue. Swap all the parts out for gloss black pieces. : __________________ Instagram: @Phxrisingphotography Current - 2024 G05 X5 ///M60i in Java Green Past - 2005 E53 X5 3.0i in Titanium Silver; 2008 E92 335i in Montego Blue; 2019 G01 X3 M40i in Glacier Silver; 2022 G80 M3 Competition in Twilight Purple
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04-22-2019, 01:45 AM	#22
FabM40i New Member 17 Rep 13 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Found out by accident that glass cleaner works perfect on the cerium trim. All the dead bugs wiped right off with zero streaking or residue. I don’t think the brand would matter, but for reference I was using some 3M glass cleaner I had lying around.
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