KDL

I just became the owner of a 2002 Allroad at the weekend. The car is great (although as a former '98 A4 owner I miss a bit of the tightness and road feel of the old beater).

When I was buying the car (a private sale filtered through the Audi dealer to get the Audi Assured warranty), I noticed that the chrome trim, as well as the chrome (or aluminum) on the roof rack, were pretty badly tarnished or mottled -- sort of like the salty, snowy look after a few bad days of winter weather before you wash the car. The dealer said there was a fair chance that even after a full-blown detailing, the staining would not come out, and this appears to be the case. (I did the deal anyway because the price was great.) I do not know what the prior owner did to the car (some sort of cheap wax treatment, maybe), but I cannot seem to restore any lustre to the chrome, and neither could the Audi shop. Is this something particular to Allroads? Any suggestions about how to deal with this?

Thanks, and it's great to join this forum.

Troy H

Location? I think the deicer used by DOTs these days pits the aluminum.

s.carder

I discovered this while detailing my Grand Wagoneer. I was using this stuff on the rubber bumperettes and saw how nice it made the aluminium bumpers look, so I took the rag and rubbed the roof rack on the allroad. it took the "rainbow" away and made them pretty shiny, allbeit for a short time, but armor all on the tires doesn't last that long either.