murman

Anyone else seeing this on their E-classes?

The tarnishing is occuring on the black exterior trim that adjoins the bottom of each side window of our car on both sides.

Any thoughts? Am I alone? i've searched this forum to no avail...

Barry45RPM

Do you see a little red-ish sheen to them? Wax will cure it.

murman

I'll have to take a look, again. I've not looked closely at it, but remember seeing more of a greenish hue.

In the end, I'm rather peeved that this car isn't even three years old, and the trim looks like it's been sitting in an outdoor auto-wreck "pick-a-part" bin.

Barry45RPM

I believe its deposits from rain & car wash surfactants. ...and it HAS been sitting outside for 3 years! LOL

murman

Dang car wash stuff... is everyone else experiencing this?

01/04 build
latter 04 delivery

Not sure which qualifies as being appropriate to use for "age"!

Scambo

It's not isolated to you. I have the same thing. The dealership said it needs wax and everything will be fine. It's a pain as far as I'm concerned.

murman

"a pain" indeed.

I'm getting tired of my wise-@ss friend asking me "did you pay extra for that" every time he's seen a car of mine with a problem...

lkchris

He's just jealous.

These pieces are available in chrome if you can stand the look.

sbarsap

I have the same problem on my 01 blk E430 W210. It almost looks purplish, and highly noticble on a black car. I will try the wax.

murman

Yes... purple-ish! Nice to see that MB still hasn't addressed a problem that's been around for years...

Barry45RPM

I used a liquid creme wax in a squeeze bottle. It took all the purple out. Its NOT the metal thats reflecting the reddish color, its the chemical surfactants & air fallout that is. The wax is a cleaner wax so the purple refleclection wss gone.

murman

Odd how the tarnishing manifests itself so clearly on this trim, though...

danmor

My 2007 E350 with less then 4000 miles and always garaged is fading. I thought it was my imagination. Since this is already the replacement car for my lemon 2006 I'll probable just try the wax and live with it.

55fanatic

guys whats your major malfunction here... its a regular maintenance thing...

You do an oil change, rotate tires and you should condition the exterior of your car...

washing a car doesnt really do anything. clay baring, polishing, sealing, waxing are all maintenance parts to keeping a car healthy. Guess what my 06 E had this after the winter... I clay barred it last week, oh what do you know, its GONE...

Because its a benz doesnt mean the car will always look new, make sure to take care of the car inside and outside...

SHELBYBLUE65

I noticed the same thing on my 2004. I havent driven it for 2 weeks and it was outside. It looked like were the water running off car from the rain was staining it. I just used a soft rag like a diper and wiped it off.

moms320cdi

I noticed the same thing on my 2006. It has only 7800 miles on it and is garged. I was going to as the dealer when I brought it in, but I guess I'll try the wax and just ask them why my wipers keep coming on when it isn't raining.....

konigstiger

Mention DTB P-B-82.30/488 Windshield wipers not functioning properly. The rain/light sensor (part #A211 870 54 26) will be replaced.

jghassell

I can confirm a $4.99 bottle of Meguiar's Wax Clean takes care of that "tarnish." works like a charm.

harkgar

Ken,

I have not seen chrome strips on a 211 but if you can get it go for it. My sold 1986 560 SEL had them and nearly 21 years later they look as good as day one.

My sold 1999 E55 trim tarnished too but Armor All restored the color.