2008fx4

i recently bought my wife a gl550 and we had it washed for the first time today. we live in the wash. dc area, so living in an apartment with a parking garage limits my abilities to wash it myself. anyhow, the people that washed it sprayed something on the wheels to clean them, and it got all over the running boards on the truck. the running boards now look almost white, they are so badly spotted.

are these running boards just exposed aluminum or stainless steel?? if so, and if the dealer wont warranty them out, how do i clean these spots off???

Thanks!!!!

BeanCounter

The running boards are aluminum. Stainless steel would be pretty pricey to put on as a running board not to mention heavy. When you say "spotted" do you mean the little rubber inserts on the running board or the aluminum running board itself? I assume when you say they sprayed something on the wheel to clean it was a brake dust cleaner or something like that. If that got on the rubber inserts and spotted them I would just use some ArmorAll or the equivalent and it should do the trick (although it might be slippery for a while). If it is the running board itself we use something on our boat for stainless steel and aluminum that does a great job in cleaning and protecting. It is called Collinite (metal wax) and you could get it at a marine store.

2008fx4

its on the metal itself. ive seen this kind of thing happen before when simple green was sprayed on aluminium. the metal is just dull, and kind of milky looking, and severely spotted.

thanks for the tip!

dgiturbo

Mine did the same thing. If your lucky, the protective plastic film is still on the running boards, and all you are seeing is the pool of water/soap residue under the film. Peel it off and you are good to go.

If your luck is like mine, the car wash chemical has tarnished the aluminum, and you will either do as the other post says or live with it as I have so far.

I think now will try to polish off with the Collinite now that I have heard of this fix.

GL Troll

P21s Finish Restorer. Probably have to order online although you might check Harley dealers. While you’re at it, if you want to do your own wheels try P21s Gel Wheel Cleaner. I wouldn’t be surprised if MB uses P21s products in their own factories.

And find a new detailer. If it was indeed wheel cleaner they likely used some highly acidic chemical which isn’t good for your wheels and other parts either.

2008fx4

i ordered come of the california custom products - a deoxidizer and a metal polish http://www.californiacustom.com/ourproducts.html - we'll see how that works if the dealer doesnt want to work with me.

2008fx4

update:

dealer has agreed to try and clean the stains from the metal. if that doesnt work, they are going to replace the boards altogether.

2008fx4

NEW UPDATE!!!

the dealership was unsuccessful in removing the stains, so they ordered a new set of running boards of my choice - either stainless or chrome - so chrome it was. i cant say enough positive things about the dealership i dealt with - American Service Center in Arlington, VA.

terp97

Well.. it happens to me this weekend. Left side running board… I should have said something to the car wash manager/owner but I’m sure that was not going to do anything. So I guess I will have to check with my Wash DC area MB HBL dealer and see if they will replace. Wish me luck! I will not let the car wash people spray the boards with anything. Was anybody successful with cleaning with any of the products recommended on this thread? Just in case the dealer won’t help out. I find this kind of surprising since it is not the first time I have gone to a car wash and I go to them in the winter.

terp97

Took the advice of this forum and contacted california custom and they replied with the following:

hi hector
unfortunately most of those running boards are clear coated. there is nothing a person can do with them unless you strip the coating off so the metal underneath can be polished again. if the running boards are brushed aluminum or brushed stainless, you may be able to remove the milky spots.

roger fayman
owner
california custom products inc.

Made an appointment with the dealer wish me luck....

Stumblefoot

You got it!

Mine look horrible as well and I had come to the conclusion that I couldn't do anything about it. Let us know how it turns out and I may try the same route.

Also, can you take some before/after pictures? This way we can judge the success of the operation!

terp97

So I dropped the GL450 off at NoVa dealer HBL. I also switched SA because my last one was horrible. So explained that the running board was milky and discoloring. Had to do some hard selling the G only has 5k miles and I’m very very **** about keeping it as clean as possible. It goes from garage to garage and i must have hit something on the road. So asked that they at least try cleaning it with something and later in the afternoon I got the call. Replacing the left board. Yeah Man Yeah man... But the part won't be in for a few weeks. Part Number is 164-690-17-75 Gravel Cover which is basically the top portion of the board that they replace. It has a retail price of $167.70 being covered under warranty. The part like I said won't be until Oct 10.

Lessons Learned:
No CAR WASHES
Do NOT let anybody in site spray anything on the running boards
Wash yourself
Only Soap and Water...

It is unfortunate that they are not able to withstand some car wash chemicals which are not that strong but i understand strong enough...

Good Luck to ALL...

Stumblefoot

Good for you Terp!

I think I'll keep mine another winter and just replace them next summer. That way they'll look awesome for our 4 months of summer since we don't have spring here in the mountains.

DANIELA BIRCH

same here. 2008 GL450. After first car wash got milky discoloration on running boards. Only 800 miles! Such a shame. Dealer won't do anything (Naples, Fl.). Says "water stained". On a Mercedes??? I expected better quality. Plus, this is supposed to be a tough SUV and it can't handle water, or a possible car wash cleaning?

B200Turbo

I had replaced both of running boards due to rust since we got the car. So far no car wash. I only wash at home with care. New boards looks great so far.

terp97

Winter is here and can't wash the BIG GL... So I'm freaking out that i have to hit the car wash after getting the new board (gravel cover) installed. Basically, i get out and let the person doing the wheel cleaning and spraying the chemical to clean off wheel break dust "DO NOT spray running boards with anything".

but totally agree should be able to withstand some normal water or a typical car wash.

bselph

I have run my 08 GL320 thru the car wash twice a week since late April. I have not had any problems with the running boards. Mine appear to be brushed aluminum.