Decorative trim on tailgate sill

A

andrewparkeruk

A2OC Donor
I'm not very diligent when it comes to cleaning my car. I spent a few hours on it the other day; the first time in over six months.

I noticed this patchy marking on the "stainless" trim of the tailgate sill (is that the correct term). It was there before I started cleaning; the photo shows after. I used snow foam, then jet wash rinse; then car shampoo with a sponge; then traffic film remover with a detailing brush. Nothing abrasive. None of those seemed to shift it.

I don't know what the decorative trim is made of, so don't know if the surface has degraded to the point where it cannot be recovered; or if this is some kind od mould which can be removed.

I wonder if anyone can advise please?

Thank you, Andrew




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Hi, coincidently I did mine last night although it wasnt quite as bad a yours. I had my rotary polisher out and did a pass or two with that using a medium abrasive polish (fine for paint to mow down old rough paint). If I diddnt have one then id first try a good automotive metal polish like autosol. The other thing I use for very rough stuff is car compound.

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I gave my A2 a "chrome" look by using two parallel runs of adhesive chrome strip. The tape is 20 mm wide and that is perfect to cover that strip.It's been there a while so it's a little scuffed. Very easy to replace, though.
Here's the tape :





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This is the appearance with those two strips applied

DSCN1334.JPG


It DOES look a lot better when first secured! .... Gleaming! ?

David
 
Andrew said:
The decorative "chrome" strip is painted plastic, do not rub too hard or you will expose the plastic.

Andy
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Thank you all.

Andy that was my concern. Wasn’t sure if the “bloom” was removable, or if it indicates the finish is separating from the body material.

I will try gentle abrasion using a cloth: I don’t have a rotary polisher

Andrew

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I dont think you will recover that I'm afraid - as others said, it is painted plastic.

I'd just replace it with another, or, get some silver plastic paint, and plastic primer and paint it.
 
The trim is removable Andrew, a devils work to do in situ but can be done and refitted - I’ve done it. Contortionist skills needed mind and an array of flexible drivers. Easiest with the bumper removed.

You can see the chrome strip separated from the bumper in several images in my thread here.

If you want to invest in new, they were available from Audi a few years back, about c.£87 or thereabouts from memory.

As Andy says, they are plastic and it is easy to burn through the paint. It looks like yours are beyond polish. You could remove, wet sand smooth and respray it yourself for a nominal outlay. Good luck with whatever route you take.
 
I would try some G3 scratch remover or megs ultimate compound as £15 for a bottle of megs is a snip compared to £88, plus you will have a great coat cleaner for your whole car to boot.
 
Darren C said:
The trim is removable Andrew, a devils work to do in situ but can be done and refitted - I’ve done it. Contortionist skills needed mind and an array of flexible drivers. Easiest with the bumper removed.

You can see the chrome strip separated from the bumper in several images in my thread here.

If you want to invest in new, they were available from Audi a few years back, about c.£87 or thereabouts from memory.

As Andy says, they are plastic and it is easy to burn through the paint. It looks like yours are beyond polish. You could remove, wet sand smooth and respray it yourself for a nominal outlay. Good luck with whatever route you take.
Click to expand...
Good memory that - Inflation of a quid since then!
 
I wish I could remember what I did yesterday, people’s names and why I went into a room in the same way mind. ?
 
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