Trim looks like crap

[Rob M]

This is not correct, they are entirely aluminium, with a plastic clip on each end.

Thanks for the info. If the description is correct, i was also incorrect about the material... They are stainless steel, not aluminium. I also noticed that a kia oem parts website lists these trim pieces in two differen colors... Black chrome and chrome. Maybe the trim degradation is a loss of a thin chromium oxide layer? At this point I'm quite confused. Sorry if i misinformed anyone.

 

[Cashie]

Thanks for the info. If the description is correct, i was also incorrect about the material... They are stainless steel, not aluminium. I also noticed that a kia oem parts website lists these trim pieces in two differen colors... Black chrome and chrome. Maybe the trim degradation is a loss of a thin chromium oxide layer? At this point I'm quite confused. Sorry if i misinformed anyone.

All good Rob, yes I think you are correct that they are stainless steel, I did initially think that when I removed them.
Interesting that two different colours are mentioned in the online parts site, wonder if it's just the way they were entered or if there are two different trim finishes.
Some good info being shared in this thread.

 

[westcoastGT]

Are you working for Meguiares. I think I have seen you mention this product several times before.

Good one mate , no I always like to share my experiences with products or ways to make "car life" better . Years ago when I was a BMW freak I had issues with a gloss black trim on a car and a E60 Forum member reco'd the Megs Cleaner wax ...........it felt like a miracle reco and I just keep spreading the gospel .........( sorry Merlin ! )

 

[Nasscar]

Good one mate , no I always like to share my experiences with products or ways to make "car life" better . Years ago when I was a BMW freak I had issues with a gloss black trim on a car and a E60 Forum member reco'd the Megs Cleaner wax ...........it felt like a miracle reco and I just keep spreading the gospel .........( sorry Merlin ! )

Yeh no worries. Like I said I use it too. Good product.

 

[gclloyd0]

My trim is also suffering from this spotting. I'm also guilty of using an automatic car wash and I suspect that being one of the first customers of the day may have contributed to the discoloration. My guess is that either chemicals settled, separated or reacted with each other while sitting in the lines overnight or that there was some sort of cleaning solution run through the system which left some residue. Either way, the result was some sort of chemical which was capable of etching the top coat of the trim pieces.

I tried both metal polish and cleaner wax until my arm almost fell off, but I did not see any improvement in the appearance. Granted, I had waited 3-4 weeks until I finally tried to do anything about it. Looks like I'll be purchasing a new set of trim and sticking to hand washes from now on...

 

[nhcowboy28]

My trim is also suffering from this spotting. I'm also guilty of using an automatic car wash and I suspect that being one of the first customers of the day may have contributed to the discoloration. My guess is that either chemicals settled, separated or reacted with each other while sitting in the lines overnight or that there was some sort of cleaning solution run through the system which left some residue. Either way, the result was some sort of chemical which was capable of etching the top coat of the trim pieces.

I tried both metal polish and cleaner wax until my arm almost fell off, but I did not see any improvement in the appearance. Granted, I had waited 3-4 weeks until I finally tried to do anything about it. Looks like I'll be purchasing a new set of trim and sticking to hand washes from now on...

Just go to the dealer and demand a warranty replacement.

why pay?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Just go to the dealer and demand a warranty replacement.

why pay?

Wrong attitude, imho. Go to the dealer with a long face and let them express an opinion. If the dealer is really customer conscious, they'll try to make it good. If they are less helpful, then it is good to save your "demands" for the big stuff: don't be a customer who is known for being "that asshat", "here S/HE comes again." You may force some sort of solution out of the dealer; but then you have your reward.

 

[westcoastGT]

My trim is also suffering from this spotting. I'm also guilty of using an automatic car wash and I suspect that being one of the first customers of the day may have contributed to the discoloration. My guess is that either chemicals settled, separated or reacted with each other while sitting in the lines overnight or that there was some sort of cleaning solution run through the system which left some residue. Either way, the result was some sort of chemical which was capable of etching the top coat of the trim pieces.

I tried both metal polish and cleaner wax until my arm almost fell off, but I did not see any improvement in the appearance. Granted, I had waited 3-4 weeks until I finally tried to do anything about it. Looks like I'll be purchasing a new set of trim and sticking to hand washes from now on...

why not wrap them in the finish you like , gloss, flat , carbon fiber look etc

 

[Devin]

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

And these days I caution against touch car washes.

 

[MerlintheMad]

And these days I caution against touch car washes.

View attachment 32917

Holy crap! It came out of the tunnel that way!?

I avoid automated car washes of all kinds as much as possible. If I can find a way to wash the undercarriage during the winter, I won't use automated car washes ever again for any reason.

 

[westcoastGT]

And these days I caution against touch car washes.

View attachment 32917

ouch !! Hey Wash any comments ( he is the car wash owner )

 

[Devin]

Holy crap! It came out of the tunnel that way!?

I avoid automated car washes of all kinds as much as possible. If I can find a way to wash the undercarriage during the winter, I won't use automated car washes ever again for any reason.

Yup, son pointed it out after I got home. They reviewed the cameras and copped to it, and paid for it, but it took a surprising amount of my time calling, getting estimates and what not. Handwash from now on for me.

 

[OriginalRobby]

what about ceramic coating

 

[Wilzer]

Mottled spots, especially on side mirrors, sprayed with MacGuires Detail Fluid and let set a while and with microfiber towel, came out OK, repeated several times and looked better each time. Probably with repeat treatment will look good again. However, I like driving it too much to fuss about the small stuff.

 

[OriginalRobby]

same here, I don't pay attention to the small details anymore or my OCD will be through the roof - I accept the car is in great condition ' overall ' and I'm happy wit that.

 

[gclloyd0]

I dropped my Stinger off at the dealership on Friday for warranty service (braking vibration). Whil I was there, I pointed out the spotting on the door trim as well as spiderweb cracks in the paint on the roof drip rail covers.

My service advisor said they had seen both of those issues before and that they will take care of it. He didn't specify if they are going to clean or replace the trim, but I'm just happy that they stepped up and offered to work with me. Shout out to Century Kia in Tampa for great service.

Unrelated to this thread, regarding the drip rails. He told me that they have a black (I assume rubber or rubberized) replacement and asked if i was okay with the rails not matching the body color. He said they have tried repainting before and it's a substrate bonding issue causing the cracking and delamination, therefore causing the problem to return soon after.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I dropped my Stinger off at the dealership on Friday for warranty service (braking vibration). Whil I was there, I pointed out the spotting on the door trim as well as spiderweb cracks in the paint on the roof drip rail covers.

My service advisor said they had seen both of those issues before and that they will take care of it. He didn't specify if they are going to clean or replace the trim, but I'm just happy that they stepped up and offered to work with me. Shout out to Century Kia in Tampa for great service.

Unrelated to this thread, regarding the drip rails. He told me that they have a black (I assume rubber or rubberized) replacement and asked if i was okay with the rails not matching the body color. He said they have tried repainting before and it's a substrate bonding issue causing the cracking and delamination, therefore causing the problem to return soon after.

Don’t let them off the hook with black drip rail covers unless you black out your roof.

They screwed up. Make them get the painted ones right. Even if that means multiple times.

 

[Cashie]

I dropped my Stinger off at the dealership on Friday for warranty service (braking vibration). Whil I was there, I pointed out the spotting on the door trim as well as spiderweb cracks in the paint on the roof drip rail covers.

My service advisor said they had seen both of those issues before and that they will take care of it. He didn't specify if they are going to clean or replace the trim, but I'm just happy that they stepped up and offered to work with me. Shout out to Century Kia in Tampa for great service.

Unrelated to this thread, regarding the drip rails. He told me that they have a black (I assume rubber or rubberized) replacement and asked if i was okay with the rails not matching the body color. He said they have tried repainting before and it's a substrate bonding issue causing the cracking and delamination, therefore causing the problem to return soon after.

The default is black. When I ordered mine from Mobis in Korea they colour coded them perfectly. Here in Australia they were going to send them to a paint and panel guy as they couldn’t order them painted.

 

[junesrig]

I love detailing and keeping my Stinger clean, but the finish on the dark chrome should hold up better and there is no excuse or reason for the paint fade/cracking. I took mine in to dealership for the chrome and the roof rail, after a few visits they have agreed to replace both. I will post when parts have been replaced. There is a backorder on the painted roof rail pieces.

 

[gclloyd0]

I picked mine up from the dealer yesterday. The window trim is due to arrive next week, but they got the roof rails and sounds like they painted them in-house. They look great. I'm hoping that the next set of window trim lasts longer than the originals, but it doesnt sound like there have been any improvements in the part quality judging by the fact that it bears the same part number as the originals.