Late

For the past two years the chrome trim around my windows has been covered by plastidip. I decided to remove the plastidip this weekend to match a new grille that i bought and i noticed that the trim seems very faded.

Is this trim actually chrome? Can it be polished with some chrome polish and a buffer like chrome wheels?

beejAMG

its is not chrome plated like your grille. more like brushed silver. looks faded compared to your grille but thats how it is. maybe pics of your window trim would help.

theraven333

As stated it is brushed aluminium with a lacquer top coat. The worst of this is that the aluminium trim tarnishes under the lacquer and you cannot do anything about it outside of replacing it for new.
I have major issues since owning the car with the trim, Mercedes refused to do anything about it under warranty stating it was my issue and yet no one can do anything about it, no amount of polishing, cleaning etc can remove it, as it sits below this top lacquer coat. It is at its worst on the long piece of trim across the boot where the soft top sits, and looks even worse when the roof is down and you can see the whole trim piece......
I believe it was caused by water sitting on the top in droplets which when the sun dried them out etched the effect into the aluminium under the lacquer, hope that makes sense!!!?

beejAMG

^ yep, more like brushed aluminium and not brushed silver like i initially mentioned. i dont know what i was thinking. sorry.

anyways, have you guys tried meguiars scratch x remover? if you have one lying around it might work.

Paulducati

I have similar concerns with my E-class convertible,the chrome is tarnished and nothing I have tried makes it any different.If your car has full MB service history,surely you must have some re-compense !.In my opinion it can only be caused by the use of material,not fit for purpose.Anyone tried going back to Mercedes

theraven333

Nothing fixes it, tried everything even my main dealer did, they could not shift it! They supported my warranty claim to Mercedes UK, but even with direct correspondence Mercedes/Daimler UK told me to go forth and multiply. The final rub from them was if I was unhappy go and complain to their Manufacturers trade body.
So I just live with it and when anyone asks me about it (it is that visible) I just tell them Mercedes Head Office reply, they then draw there own conclusions!!!!!
Whilst this made me very unhappy I have to say that I have had a couple of other major issues outside of the warranty window and I have to say Mercedes UK have acted very honourably in correcting the problems.....so my opinion of them on balance is actually very good!!!
ps I have a main dealer service program!!!! This does make a big difference in their approach........

Late

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like this is another common issue like the chrome on the seat handles. From the looks of it, I will have to stick with the painted black trim to cover it up for now.

teksurv

I think the black trim looks nice, and it seems to be the only option of correcting the damage other than replacement. I would however remove the chrome spear from the lower panel/door area to complete the look.

Late

decided to try and spray the window trim since plasti dip had to be redone once a year. bottom rails were simple. just pull up and out. top rail you need to pull back the weatherstripping to expose torx screws. Problem is i cant see how to get what i would assume is the final 2-3 torx bits without removing the rear quarter fixed glass. Anyone have experience with this?

konigstiger

See attachments.

Late

Amazing thank you! Damn that's a lot of work to get a piece of trim removed... might try it this weekend