wired

guys..

before we picked up our new glk 350.. like to know everyone's thoughts on having chrome handles and getting the electronic rust control module..

winters are rather harsh here in canada and the amount of sale being used during those months..

question is would the chrome tarnish over time.. and if so.. is there any way to polish it again.. and is electronic rust control worth the dime it claims to do..

thanks for your opinions guys.. much appreciated..

cheers

yualfred

I have the chrome handle for 1 year and there is no tarnish, corrosion mark and what so ever. Its a very decent chrome plate job, but it on ABS plastic.

Is the rust control from the dealer? Is it just rust proof?

chilledbenz

Its not actual chrome, its just a plastic thats ment to look like chrome. So there would be no way it could rust, it could however bubble up or peel. I know of at least one thread here where someone got the fog light chrome look surrounds and has had problems with them, although he had them replaced at no cost to him.

yualfred

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoBodyRepair1/AutoBodyRustControl/PRD~0477905P/CounterAct%252BElectronic%252BRust%252BProtection% 252BSystem.jsp?locale=en

Is your rust control similar to this one?

QSHIP

This chrome look like make the GLK look cheap. Its plastic !

jdm2010

I had my bumper painted and got a bunch of info on the paint and clearcoat. To sum it up, your GLK will not rust. I have 15k on mine and have gone through winter in Minnesota still looks new.

yualfred

Buddy, you wanna remove your front grill with tri-star emblem? its plastic too...

The point is, many modern car parts are plastic, if properly designed and manufactured, should be as good as metal.

EnigmaAW

did someone say chrome? me likey!

rmfnla

So much for electronic rust protection:

http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Car...ronic-rust.htm

n5160u

The chrome looking plastic is really hard chrome. The process involves flashing the plastic parts in a vacuum chamber to deposit a thin coating of vaporized copper onto the plastic part. It is then electroplated with chrome the same as any other metal part would be plated. The benefit of the plastic base is that even if the chrome is damaged the plastic base will not corrode. Chrome plated metal trim from the past involved zinc castings that would corrode and the metal trim pieces usually were held in place by trim clips that went through the metal body. The holes for the trim were the first place rust would start and the fact that there were dissimilar metals involved also meant that corrosion would be assisted by electrolysis. The chrome plated plastic trim is held in place by adhesives so there is much less chance of the trim causing corrosion to occur on the car body.

MilesBFree

I bought the chrome inserts that go under the handles, i.e.- the ones that would protect rings from scratching the body under the handles.

I didn't install them as after dry-fitting them in place I felt it didn't add anything to the looks, and maybe even cluttered it up a bit. Personal preference....

Anybody interested in a set, cheap? PM me if so.

MBRedux

Electronic Rust Control.... the last time I used one was on my buddy's extended car hauler... 12 years ago.... didn't work that good. Today's cars are built very well... just rinse down the underside every once in awhile during the winter months (at an automated car wash kiosk found up north) and that should be all you need to help reduce the rust from developing.