JDM05

This came up earlier in an unrelated thread and didn't receive much feedback. Thought I'd try a new thread for the heck of it. My trim along the windows/doors looks "not so good" personally.

Ideas? Experience/s?
Thanks!

drjosh123

I was unable to remove the water spots/oxidation from my chrome trim. I tried several different products with no luck. After scanning old posts in AW, I decided to hit up my service advisor to get the trim replaced under warranty. The manager approved the replacement and they took the next two days to get the job done.

I think that the original chrome that they used was not built to last, but at sometime during the A6's lifecycle, they improved the plating (this is not confirmed).

Good luck with your issue. I spent many hours trying to polish that chrome to no avail.

Cespinal

Hey was that under original warranty or PO? do you know if PO warranty would cover that.

hrc4u

i got water marks/oxidation on my frontgrill awhile ago...got it away with autosol chrome polish..
/H

spence341

I'd like to know if anyone who replaced there had the problem come back. My neighbor just bought a 07 Jetta and the trim on it is oxidized as well. It happened on my 03 A4 as weel a my current 05 A6. I don't think they changed the materials they are using.

A6Gary

Most of the trim is now polished aluminum, not chrome plated. So, you should try something that will polish/clean aluminum rather than chrome. You might try a vinegar/demin water solution, which will be slightly acidic, followed by an aluminum polish.

thubleau

PROBLEM SOLVED

ok here is the solution,I am an ex mechanic and have not been near a car for 40 years except the one I drive which I sold the other day and so ended up borrowing my sons Jetta and noticed after giving it a good clean that the condition of the chrome around the windows was awful.i heard and read people mention this as fogging and that it was chrome on plastic or perhaps even aluminium.
Scrubbing and buffing with any conccoction will help a little but why?

I will tell you, this is oxidisation so the simple answer is when you appy polish etc etc. you put a film on the chrome that isolates it from air but not enough to actually prevent it from reoccurring.
The answer is simple.
AFTER WASHING AND DRYING THE VEHICLE, and at this stage have to mention all the tech numbskulls at VW world wide who do not know the answer to this which is a really scarry thing to think about.
Ok WD40 spray on cotton polishing cloth , wipe gently on chrome, problem gone.
Gauranteed!!!!
If it happens after the next wash just redo it as part of the normal detailing.
A more permanent solution is this.
(Oh boy I am a font of knowledge) having also worked as a paint and decoration specialists here is what you do.
Go and buy a small artists brush and a can(not spray) of clear water based coating, you know, the one like urethane except it's not , the one you put over timber stain.

In this case lightly coat your chrome, when it dries give it 3 coats if you like problem gone.
Now my advice to all those VW "experts is you are not worth the money they pay you, here I am retired at 56 now 62 and am giving this solution for free.
Would somebody from VW please ring , thank me, and send me a cheque for a million dollars for solving their 400 million dollar problem.
0249347312 or 61249347312

chers


eric noack

The_Mizarc

Welcome to Audiworld. You are probably one of the more senior members here age wise.

Ken F

Yep, he gets the award! lol
He's a whole year older than I am....

Ken

Kevagonia

I'd kind of like to know if anyone actually painted clear water based coating on their schrome on their 60 thousand dollar cars, any takers?

-K