Trim looks like crap

[Rob M]

Visited dealership today with the roof strip crazing issue starting. While there looked at two new 2020 Stingers... Noticed that only the rear pieces of the garnish were chrome-like; the pieces along the door were dull, almost black. Is this a change? Some kind of protective shipping film? I'm not sure. But the difference in appearance was not appealing.

 

[westcoastGT]

Visited dealership today with the roof strip crazing issue starting. While there looked at two new 2020 Stingers... Noticed that only the rear pieces of the garnish were chrome-like; the pieces along the door were dull, almost black. Is this a change? Some kind of protective shipping film? I'm not sure. But the difference in appearance was not appealing.View attachment 38107

maybe the plastic film was not removed yet ??

 

[junesrig]

Visited dealership today with the roof strip crazing issue starting. While there looked at two new 2020 Stingers... Noticed that only the rear pieces of the garnish were chrome-like; the pieces along the door were dull, almost black. Is this a change? Some kind of protective shipping film? I'm not sure. But the difference in appearance was not appealing.View attachment 38107

There is a protective strip that needs to be removed, dealership may have overlooked it.

 

[Rob M]

There is a protective strip that needs to be removed, dealership may have overlooked it.

Let's hope so. It will protect the stainless steel from oxidation until someone takes delivery.

 

[eflyguy]

stainless steel

Where is stainless steel used on the exterior trim?

 

[Rob M]

Where is stainless steel used on the exterior trim?

All 6 pieces shown in Stouder's OP photos are described as SS per descriptions of the OEM part. I originally thought they were aluminum. They are very different than the black chrome coating over plastics (such as the mirror housings). My theory is that since SS finish is a layer of chromium oxide, this layer is oxidizing a bit when exposed to wet conditions. Ends up spotting and discoloring. But can be returned to like new with a little rubbing compound (cleaner wax will work too, but may require a little more effort).

 

[eflyguy]

Interesting. Mine feel like plastic and have aged identically to the mirror caps, grill surround, etc.

 

[Rob M]

These schematics (www.kiapartsnow.com) shown are just for the front door mouldings. There are similar parts for the rear door mouldings and rear glass trim. Apparently, the trim is sold as either "satin" or "dark satin" finish. But it is definitely not "black or dark chrome" since it is not a mirror finish. An eBay seller sells all 6 together (looks to be at a bit of a premium price) and lists the color as "chrome" in one place and "silver" in another part of the description, but does specify the material as stainless steel.

Genuine OEM LH,RH Door Window Rear Glass Molding Trim 6PC For 2018+ Kia Stinger | eBay

I'm guessing that the two different shades are obtained by varying the composition of the steel so that the chromium oxide layer forms in a thickness that provides the desired color. I'm also assuming that the presence of water (humidity, dew, rain) results in irregular additional oxidation that darkens and dulls the finish. But it can be cleaned up with mild abrasives (for example, rubbing compound), and kept up with regular waxing/polishing. I do not think there is any compelling reason to get these mouldings replaced, and am a bit surprised that Kia would routinely replace them under warranty.

 

[Stephen D]

The drip rails on my 2018 have developed these spots that, depending on the lighting/temperature, will appear bright white then gradually fade a little. In the photo, you can see the new and old layers of spots that rose up from the painted rail yet underneath the clear coat. Dealer agreed to replace. Got the new "unpainted" strips. So far the new strips have been painted twice, and they still can't match the HiChroma Red color.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The drip rails on my 2018 have developed these spots that, depending on the lighting/temperature, will appear bright white then gradually fade a little. In the photo, you can see the new and old layers of spots that rose up from the painted rail yet underneath the clear coat. Dealer agreed to replace. Got the new "unpainted" strips. So far the new strips have been painted twice, and they still can't match the HiChroma Red color.View attachment 38647

Another case of HCR confounding the body shop. These cases are multiplying. Perhaps a wrap in a contrasting color would work better? Since wrapping the roof in black seems popular (and does look especially nice if you have a sunroof), perhaps that is the easiest solution?

 

[RedCal]

My understanding is that HCR is a three layer paint (base, tinted clear, and clear or something like that) instead of the more standard base coat, clear coat. So I guess it makes it hard to get right... or maybe they are trying to do with base & clear only?

 

[LadyStinger]

Took the Stinger in for an oil change and mentioned the Chrome on the hatch back sides were discolored and asked if their detail folks could tell me how to fix it. They said they would replace them. Took the Stinger back to get the Chrome replaced and they noticed the rest of the Chrome above the doors was discolored also. Real obvious with the new chrome in place. They are replacing the chrome above the doors now. All under warranty!
Gotta like these guys.

 

[Dmchristie1]

Took the Stinger in for an oil change and mentioned the Chrome on the hatch back sides were discolored and asked if their detail folks could tell me how to fix it. They said they would replace them. Took the Stinger back to get the Chrome replaced and they noticed the rest of the Chrome above the doors was discolored also. Real obvious with the new chrome in place. They are replacing the chrome above the doors now. All under warranty!
Gotta like these guys.

Same thing happened to my red one.

 

[Vladec]

I have this issue to but I don't feel like it warrants a visit to the dealership and I thought I was anal, all love though!

 

[Typeface]

Just washing my car and noticed my trim looks scratched to f*ck, i wash the car first with foam and rinse so no dust on there then i snow foam it again and rinse then i dry it with a big microfiber drying towel, the trim should not get this scratched form that, the paint around it should be just as scratched. I use Maguires products so not like I'm using shit on there. Sending this pic to the car yard i bought it from.

Looks freaking terrible.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Just washing my car and noticed my trim looks scratched to f*ck, i wash the car first with foam and rinse so no dust on there then i snow foam it again and rinse then i dry it with a big microfiber drying towel, the trim should not get this scratched form that, the paint around it should be just as scratched. I use Maguires products so not like I'm using shit on there. Sending this pic to the car yard i bought it from.

Looks freaking terrible.

View attachment 40434

It’s a known issue with this trim & roof strips too, lots of owners have had this issue, take it to your dealer & Kia should replace this under warranty.

 

[Typeface]

It’s a known issue with this trim & roof strips too, lots of owners have had this issue, take it to your dealer & Kia should replace this under warranty.

yeah i know i was just adding my pic for future people that want to tell Kia it isn't just them.

My black plastic bits on the doors the center column or whatever they are called have melted at the top and buckled guess Korean plastic can't cope with Aussie 45 degree days, i have sent this to the Kia dealer who i bought it from, hopefully they fixed the issue or the replacements are going to do it in 5 months as well. Still a great car though

 

[Stinger GT SS]

yeah i know i was just adding my pic for future people that want to tell Kia it isn't just them.

My black plastic bits on the doors the center column or whatever they are called have melted at the top and buckled guess Korean plastic can't cope with Aussie 45 degree days, i have sent this to the Kia dealer who i bought it from, hopefully they fixed the issue or the replacements are going to do it in 5 months as well. Still a great car though

Agree, they should fix your issues & yes it is a great car.

 

[Nasscar]

Just washing my car and noticed my trim looks scratched to f*ck, i wash the car first with foam and rinse so no dust on there then i snow foam it again and rinse then i dry it with a big microfiber drying towel, the trim should not get this scratched form that, the paint around it should be just as scratched. I use Maguires products so not like I'm using shit on there. Sending this pic to the car yard i bought it from.

Looks freaking terrible.

View attachment 40434

That is terrible. Wonder why some cars have this problem and some don't. After seeing your post, I went and checked my Stinger but all ok at this stage. Let us know how you go with Kia.

 

[Stingerfreak]

Hey guys, I just wanted to do a little DIY post to bring back your windows moldings to their original aspect.

The windows molding on my Stinger just look has dull as your's. A fiew days ago, I notice something when I scratched one of them with my nail. It look like their was a thin layer of oxidation on the molding, that makes look them dull.

So I've tried something that I've already tried on chrome moulding, it's called Compound. I've used Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. You only have to poor a little bit of the product on a cloth and scrub the molding. Try to avoid touching the rubber and bring a wet cloth to clean the compound after.
I've done this to the molding on my car and they look like brend new now ! No need to replace them.

Why do they look so dull after a year or two ? I think that this is caused by a phenomenon called oxidation, that is caused by the rain/sun/hard water/abrasive that they put on the road (winter country)/ etc... Oxidation can occurs on the paint too.
That's why it is recommended to decontaminate the paint, if necessary, polish it with a compound or a glaze and, minimum every year, apply wax on the paint. I don't think we can use wax on the molding, I would not recommend it anyway.

I've put some picture so you can see the results before and after.
Left side is done but not de ride side

Right side before the compound

How I applied the compound
Close view of the final result