Oxidized Chrome

[planetech62]

Hi, New to this forum. Having trouble cleaning oxidized chrome pieces of chrome around side windows. Have used light rubbing compound, wax and never dull chrome polish. After drying, milky color returns to chrome. Looking for some way to brighten the chrome back to the luster the rest of the chrome on the car has.

[Bentlies 335i]

I have searched this all over the web and people seem to always say just upgrade the the high gloss black trim, but it is over $1,000!! I don't want to do that, so please doe not suggest it. I know it looks better, but that really isn't an option at the moment. =) I heard that the metal was actually polished aluminum, and someone told me to use Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. I must say it does NOT work. There has to be something out there to get this oxidation off! If anyone has had luck, please help us!! Thanks!

[John in VA]

As Bentlies said, the trim is anodized aluminum. You need to remove the oxidation (sanding, oven cleaner), polish and clear-coat it, or send it off to be re-anodized.

You could attempt to refinish it using Bavauto.com's Aluminum Trim Deoxidizer, part # 07500100002, but I have heard that it is difficult to get the clear coat on without bubbles.

[tokihun]

I just wanted to ask the same. The chrome trims on my E34 are in pretty bad shape, I've tried a chrome polish stuff but it's not better at all.

[hi its me alec]

WD40 is a great temporary solution

[nathancarter]

Wrap it in black Shadowline vinyl.

http://www.bmwshadowline.com/

I painted mine. They looked good for a while, but now the paint is coming off in chunks, even though I THOUGHT I did everything right - sand, sand, clean, primer, paint, clear. Guess I could have done an etching primer instead of a sandable primer, and/or use an adhesion promoter. I'm just gonna scrape it off and re-sand and wrap with vinyl.