Trim looks like crap

[Stouder]

The trim down both sides has started to look like crap....there was slight discoloration in a couple spots when I purchased it about 6 weeks ago.....I pay for 6 months at a time for unlimited car washes at a car wash company that has multiple locations that does touch the car, after every car wash the trim hadn’t really changed much but could tell it was getting worse...then I went to a touch less car wash and after the wash my trim basically looked like this....I’ve read about some people compounding it and using other products on it but looks like I’m just gonna have the guy who does all the work on my car wrap it gloss black and be done with it!!!

 

[robz32]

Could be that the harsher chemicals from the touchless car wash, combined with the sunlight, deteriorated the thin smoke film that's on the chrome/polished trim. Yes, the trim is highly polished underneath, almost chrome looking.
Wrapping it will be your best option.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Chemical reactions, that's my theory. I only use soft water (and a few times soap in a wand wash, but hardly there, as I concentrate on the rims, bugs/grill and lower skirts). Before you wrap, you could try buffing it out, because the protective coating is likely all that is affected. If you're set on wrapping, what have you got to lose trying?

 

[stingeradmr]

I have used a cleaner wax and a chrome polish with good results

 

[eflyguy]

A guy on this forum that used to own car washes cautioned against the touchless washes, because of the harshness of chemicals used.

 

[Stouder]

I have used a cleaner wax and a chrome polish with good results

I may attempt this just to see how good of a job it does....I had shoulder surgery so I’m off work and bored to death anyway lol

A guy on this forum that used to own car washes cautioned against the touchless washes, because of the harshness of chemicals used.

I rarely use the touch less....normally go to the one I pay for unlimited washes at....but good to know

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Something about the trim is a little "cheap", though. My passenger side quarter panel trim shows strange "water spot" staining, an extremely "swirled" finish (which is strange because outside of the touchless car wash and my own hands, nothing could have swirled it), and an overall lack of luster. Meanwhile, all the other pieces look their normal "matte" appearance. It's as if some pieces didn't get sealed/painted as well as others. I can't really explain it because I only notice it, but haven't really taken the time to analyze or remove the trim piece for closer inspection.

Having said that, the black chrome is also surprisingly thin and rather prone to waterspotting and other things. Quite strange that the best looking accents on the vehicle also respond the cheapest, lol

 

[westcoastGT]

Something about the trim is a little "cheap", though. My passenger side quarter panel trim shows strange "water spot" staining, an extremely "swirled" finish (which is strange because outside of the touchless car wash and my own hands, nothing could have swirled it), and an overall lack of luster. Meanwhile, all the other pieces look their normal "matte" appearance. It's as if some pieces didn't get sealed/painted as well as others. I can't really explain it because I only notice it, but haven't really taken the time to analyze or remove the trim piece for closer inspection.

Having said that, the black chrome is also surprisingly thin and rather prone to waterspotting and other things. Quite strange that the best looking accents on the vehicle also respond the cheapest, lol

dont forget dealer prep , you may have had your car "buffed" by a rookie kid with an orbital , that would easily cause swirls , water spots can easily be removed and maintained by using cleaner wax , it doesnt have anything to do with chrome thickness , which I think is as good as any I've seen ..................try this ............

 

[ZyroXZ2]

dont forget dealer prep , you may have had your car "buffed" by a rookie kid with an orbital , that would easily cause swirls , water spots can easily be removed and maintained by using cleaner wax , it doesnt have anything to do with chrome thickness , whichView attachment 31253 I think is as good as any I've seen ..................try this ............

Possibly, though I would think that would manifest on more than just that one trim piece, lol

I haven't had time to treat it, but I'm not too worried about that part. It still has sealant over it, though, so treating it now would strip any protection on it. I wanted to chime in, though so that the OP doesn't feel like it's necessarily just his own fault for going to a touchless wash. I no longer use the touchless near me because they closed down, but the other pieces of trim have survived just fine. It might just be the cost of buying a car punching above its weight: there are definitely cheap parts and shortcuts

 

[Revvdmedia]

The chemicals in a touchless wash actually seems like a compelling theory on trim deterioration. There is no doubt that there is no way for touchless wash to get your car "that clean" with water pressure only, the chemicals are doing the work, both for any against you (in this case, the trim). I'd be curious to see the occurrence rate of trim degradation and the frequency of touchless washes.

My trim has only a few little spots like others seem to have, very minor for 1 year on the road in my opinion compared to others. I've only put this car through a touchless wash twice in my ownership, so it hasn't seen much for the chemicals. I also just cleaned and treated the trim with a sealant to hopefully keep it in good condition. I highly suggest those who use touchless washes in particular to protect the trim with a good long lasting sealant, it might help.

 

[Stouder]

Well since I’m off work from having shoulder surgery and bored to death I went ahead today and bought Turtle wax chrome polish and rubbing compound....took some pretty firm rubbing but it did the trick and the trim is back to looking pretty good

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Well since I’m off work from having shoulder surgery and bored to death I went ahead today and bought Turtle wax chrome polish and rubbing compound....took some pretty firm rubbing but it did the trick and the trim is back to looking pretty good
View attachment 31257 View attachment 31259 View attachment 31260

It restored the matte finish?! That's a bit surprising

 

[Stouder]

I’m pretty surprised at how well it worked....it’s definitely back to being smooth and not looking crusty

 

[Revvdmedia]

I’m pretty surprised at how well it worked....it’s definitely back to being smooth and not looking crusty

Does it look any lighter in color than you remember it being from new? I tried a light polish on mine on one spot and I think it took off some of the "tint" in that area, so I quit polishing...

 

[Stouder]

Doesn’t really look any lighter to me to be honest....I’ll check tomorrow to be sure when I pull it outside into the sunlight

 

[Cashie]

I’m pretty surprised at how well it worked....it’s definitely back to being smooth and not looking crusty

Can you please post some pics of what you used?
Looks like it came up 100%

 

[Stouder]

Can you please post some pics of what you used?
Looks like it came up 100%

Turtle wax rubbing compound followed by turtle wax chrome polish

 

[Cashie]

Turtle wax rubbing compound followed by turtle wax chrome polish

View attachment 31267

Thanks, I might give mine a go too.
I've ordered a set out of South Korea for $220, but might try to clean these up in the mean time.

 

[Stouder]

Thanks, I might give mine a go too.
I've ordered a set out of South Korea for $220, but might try to clean these up in the mean time.

Mine pretty much look brand new now....I’d say you’d be happy with the results....I mean mine looked god awful

 

[westcoastGT]

Can you please post some pics of what you used?
Looks like it came up 100%

see post #8 for a great product thats a bit less aggressive .