DrDrilZ

Noticed brand new 09 cars had exterior window trim that is turning a purple-ish color and is spotted (looks like water spots). The trim looks pretty bad especially for a new car. Is this the norm?

gaazmon

We had the same problem on our 02 CL500 on the driver's back window. The dealer replaced it once under warranty, but the new one developed the same thing. It's not normal.

220S

This is an issue on ALL cars. And I've owned MB, BMW, Porsche.

I've always been certain to maintain any anodized or painted metal trim. Crappy washing and UV can create havoc. You have to keep it maintained.

Here's advice from Autopia:

"To maintain black anodized trim, use a non-cleaning wax or sealant. Anodized aluminum must be treated with great care. The coating is very thin. Even the mildest abrasives (polish and cleaners) will quickly scuff or remove the coating. The sun is a problem, too, as exposure to UV rays will fade black anodized trim.

Painted black trim is often difficult to properly maintain. If you wax it, the original satin finish will begin to take on gloss. If you don't treat it, the trim will fade and become flat."

Barry45RPM

I put a coat of liquid (Turtle) wax on it & the spots & purple is gone. Reapply as necessary.

DrDrilZ

this is what im talking about. this is an old pic i dug up but i noticed this issue with NEW cars on the dealer lot beginning to look like this.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...enz/before.jpg

Dtv211

HAHAHAHA that looks exactly like my car!

K-A

Unfortunately that seems to happen to all M-B's. I think the best thing you can do for it is KEEP IT OUT OF THE SUN!!!! Also, water-spots never seem to leave, so try and keep water with calcium deposits off of it, and when washing your car, wipe off the water quickly.

I just wax it (with a non cleaner wax) when I wax my car, I figure that's the safest way to keep it protected, while not using anything harsh on it that could strip the paint or fade it. I tried Meguiar's "Back To Black" and it worked okay, but probably won't use it on that area again as I think the product is made mostly for plastics, etc.

coolgenner

Anybody tried removing those and having them painted? I got a quote for over 600 from a local paint guy. Figiure I can do it myself for half of that or less. I just have no idea how to get them off. For the little pillar, I will probably get a cover from eBay.

wpgfordguy

MB just denied warranty replacement on mine

spinn

your best bet would be to have it vinyl coated.

coolgenner

Are they hard to get off, I have a 2005 E320.

pinebaron

You guys had me worried for a moment when I read this. I scurried to my garage to check, the black trim is still 100% black. Constant detailing and always maintaining a layer (or two) of the Swissvax waxes on it may have helped.

coolgenner

I bought mine used this way. Car is in perfect shape otherwise, just want to get this fixed.

WEBSRFR

So this purple color is not "Mystic Designo Purple?"

Since I have a pano roof I use a non ammonia glass clear for the roof and all the glass including the trim. Could I be causing harm to the trim with my glass cleaner?

spinn

I should make it clear...I meant vinyl tape, goes on like a sticker/window tint, but more durable.

Check out Don's work.

bakerfoto

That vinyl looks like the ticket. Thanks.

K-A

Vinyl FTW here for a fix. Whatever material/paint M-B used in that location is not very durable, and W211's look TERRIBLE and "old" when I see them all purple or bronzed out. Big difference when it's shiny black! The W212's seemed to fix it by going to a plastic piece there, which I'm sure will age better, yet is sans that more substantial feel (metal VS plastic).

markpetersonii

hahaha I thought it was supposed to be like that... :/ Well, looks like vinyl will be the way to go then. Good think I came across this post.

DubVBenz

It's oils on skin. Wash it regularly and it goes away (not an auto wash, use a hand and cloth and get in there!)

WEBSRFR

What do you mean by vinyl is the way to go?

jagata

I bought my car used and the trim was already discolored to the point of them looking like tarnished silver, paint shop wanted hundreds of dollars to spray. So I went to Homedepot bought a $7.00 can of Plasti-Dip and sprayed it myself in an hour. It has a flat black look that I like, looks very sporty, while I was at it I sprayed the emblems and grill also.

WEBSRFR

Oh I missed that! Wouldn't that leave over spray along the edges?

jagata

Only if you don't tape off the rest of the area, which you always should.

WEBSRFR

Short of removing the panels, applying this finish, and putting it back on the car I htink tape would still likely leave marks along th etape edges and could easily end up diminishing the value of the car of someone suspects the car has been repainted.

This would have been so much easier of Mercedes applied a more durable finish at the factory

jagata

No tape lines here what so ever, plasti-dip is not paint more like vinyl spray and can be peeled off. Go to youtube and do a search for it, very cool product. And yes if only Mercedes made a more durable trim, but you make do with it now.