onewhippedpuppy

I searched a number of keywords and didn't find any solutions on this topic, has anyone successfully dealt with sun damage to the black aluminium trim around the exterior windows? Mine has some blotchy sun fade, as well as what looks like clearcoat failure. I believe this is anodized aluminum, and am not sure how to refinish it short of removing to paint or wrap. Seems like every R230 I've seen has some amount of fade to these pieces, so I'm hoping someone has a process to restore them in place. Because based on my past experience with aluminum door and window trim, about half of it will be destroyed in the process of removing.

as.thompson

Try vinyl wrap. That's what I did. Worked fine.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

just buy new
here is how to remove them
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...r-glass-2.html

onewhippedpuppy

I'm actually referring to the black aluminum trim around the side windows and along the top of the windshield.

BlownV8

I have painted but will look best either powder coated or vinyl wrap. The wrap will have a more limited lifespan than paint or powder coat.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

this




this is one part
around 100$ each

doesn't look like easy restorable
but powder coating yes ! that would work fine

onewhippedpuppy

Actually you can get just the molding without the weather strip. But there are actually 5 aluminum molding pieces per side around the side windows, and one molding across the top of the windshield. I can only find the two horizontal moldings along the door and quarter window, both sides add up to a little over $300 online. The others don't readily appear, at least not on the Shop MB Parts catalog, which makes me think they may be NLA. Regardless to replace all 11 pieces would easily be over $1,000.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

just go for powder paint (powder coating), result will be nice
that amount is ridiculous

ray0214

POWDER PAINT??

onewhippedpuppy

I assume he means powder coating. If this is anodized aluminum, which I think it is, the process is a little more difficult than it is for steel parts. Because powder coating electrically bonds the coating to the surface and aluminum isn't very conductive, you have to coat the aluminum with conductive aluminum oxide. Personally I've never dealt with powder coated aluminum parts, probably for this reason. I'd probably just paint them and call it good, but I'm pretty concerned about removing these parts without damaging them. Typically it's difficult to remove window trim without damaging it in some way.

ray0214

Now that sounds logical

as.thompson

I still recommend vinyl wrap. It doesn't require removing and replacing things that can cause unplanned problems and isn't too expensive. I have it done on my car on the same kind of trim pieces you are talking about and am very satisfied with it. It is much easier and cleaner than painting or powder coating too.

rcrane12

Gtechniq Coatings

Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour - Ceramic Coating for Wheels 30ml

CarPro CQuartz

CQuartz DLUX Ceramic Coating Kit For Wheels, Plastic & Rubber Trim

$39.99

onewhippedpuppy

Agreed on the vinyl wrap, that’s the direction I am leaning right now.

Not sure I understand or agree with the suggestion to ceramic coat them? Ceramic requires extensive prep such that the underlying surface is basically perfect, it doesn’t have any corrective qualities. Ceramic coating the faded trim would yield me with some marginally shinier faded trim.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

Just because vinyl is a bit like putting a sticker on it, not a repair
I would just give the part to a powder-coating shop