Chrome scum on an '87 300 SDL

[donmathis]

All of the chrome surrounding the windows jon my 3'87 300 SDL has a type of scum on it. I have washed it with windex, polishing compound, "Green Stuff", and everything else that I can imagine. It looks like it might be a diesel oil exhaust scum. The only thing I have found to "remove" it is to take vaseline and wipe a thin coating on this chrome and the scum disappears until the vaseline wears off. Anybody else have this problem?

Thanks,

Don Mathis
Lilburn, Georgia (in Atlanta)
don1@mailstart.com

[Don350SDL]

If it's more like a thin layer of discoloration or haze, it could be oxidized. In that case, very fine polish can remove it, by actually removing a few molecules of metal. Try a fine abrasive like toothpaste, rub it in a very small spot vigorously with your finger, see what happens.

Don

[Robert Goodwin]

Just had all of the trim off my 87 300SDL to get it painted.

Nothing worked on the oxidized aluminum trim (it is not chrome it is anodized aluminum).

My cheap solution was to remove the oxidation with steel wool and then wash and rinse it.

Does it look good? Mmmm. Looks better than it did. Will it last? No. Is it cheaper than replacing everything? Oh yes! Is it cheaper than re-anodizing? Yes again.

[Howard T]

My 420SEL has the same problem as did my previous '87 300SDL. The aluminum trim on my 123 240D, which was kept in a garage by the original owner, is still shiny. I was told by another owner that it is acid rain that causes the oxidation (?) and he was surprised at the condition of my 123. I was never able to shine either of the 126s.

I keep the 123 in a garage now which required getting rid of a lot of stored "junk" that filled the garage for a long time.

Howard

[brandlj]

You need to check out the Bavarian Autosport catalog. They have a product to refinish the trim on BMW's. Have never used it but it looks good.
John

[Robert Goodwin]

The aluminum trim has oxidized because the anodizing coating has worn off. The only 2 ways I know of to correct the problem, after considerable research, is replace with new or re-anodize at the approximate cost of new.

If you want it to look good for a few days, wipe it down with WD-40.