Swirls in my Chrome Window Trim

jkk7479

jkk7479

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Hello Everyone!

I have Swirl marks in my Chrome Window Trim. I have a 2010 Nissan Maxima and although the car is great, I believe these Chrome pieces to be a little cheap. I got some swirls from poor washing techniques before I become utterly obsessed with car washing and detailing. Does anyone know of a good product I can use on this type of Chrome. It's probably Chrome plated plastic, but I want it to shine up nice and not have all these swirls. I have Meguiars Chrome polish for wheels, but don't know if this is too harsh. Any products and techniques that anyone can recommend would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

:xyxthumbs:
 
jkk7479 said:
Hello Everyone!

I have Swirl marks in my Chrome Window Trim. I have a 2010 Nissan Maxima and although the car is great, I believe these Chrome pieces to be a little cheap. I got some swirls from poor washing techniques before I become utterly obsessed with car washing and detailing. Does anyone know of a good product I can use on this type of Chrome. It's probably Chrome plated plastic, but I want it to shine up nice and not have all these swirls. I have Meguiars Chrome polish for wheels, but don't know if this is too harsh. Any products and techniques that anyone can recommend would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

The Meguiars chrome polish isn't going to do anymore damage to the chrome pieces than is already present. I'm wondering if the trim is actually high polished aluminum. Either way, the polish will help to brighten the pieces up & should take the majority of the swirls/scratches from the surface.

GL!:xyxthumbs:
 
Shade Tree said:
The Meguiars chrome polish isn't going to do anymore damage to the chrome pieces than is already present. I'm wondering if the trim is actually high polished aluminum. Either way, the polish will help to brighten the pieces up & should take the majority of the swirls/scratches from the surface.

GL!:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...


I actually tried some of the Meguiars Chrome Polish, and my applicator pad started turning black! Is that normal? I stopped and noticed that I might have made it worse. I know I can probably correct what I did with the polish because I don't think I broke it down enough, but I want to make sure that the pad turning black is ok.

Can I use my G110 and hit those with my 4" lake country pads with some polish on it? Perhaps the white LC pad, or the orange light cutting pad? As long as I know I should be seeing some black on the pads, I won't freak out and will continue buffing. If I need to use elbow grease.....I can do that as well.

Thanks,
 
jkk7479 said:
I actually tried some of the Meguiars Chrome Polish, and my applicator pad started turning black! Is that normal? I stopped and noticed that I might have made it worse. I know I can probably correct what I did with the polish because I don't think I broke it down enough, but I want to make sure that the pad turning black is ok.

Can I use my G110 and hit those with my 4" lake country pads with some polish on it? Perhaps the white LC pad, or the orange light cutting pad? As long as I know I should be seeing some black on the pads, I won't freak out and will continue buffing. If I need to use elbow grease.....I can do that as well.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

No worries,

Anytime metal is polished you're going to see the applicator turn black at ssome point. This means that the polish is doing it's job in removing whatever contamination there may be on the metal. You'd see the same results if you were cleaning silverware to tail pipes.

You could use a machine process, but because the pieces are trim and therefore are somewhat small & maybe difficult to reach in some areas, I would stick to the hand application.

Keep in mind that when these pieces are polished to a high shine that any future scratches are going to be more apparent & usually the same pieces will be more susceptible to scratching. Something as simple as using a microfiber towel to wipe typical road dust off of the trim would show the most subtle fine scratching.

I normally will use a paint sealant or wheel wax after polishing aluminum just for added protection and of course the oh so important piece of mind.
 
My guess is is plastic as you stated as my moms impala has the same trim you are speaking off.
Try a cleaner was such as D151 or even poli seal but i don't think you will have luck with a metal polish.
But one thing is sure as the coating on these plastic pieces is VERY thin and once you have gone to far that is it.
But go light then work up from there.

Personally i have had a lot of luck with M205 by hand with a foam applicator being gentle. You may not be able to remove all the scratches and swirls out of the trim but you will be able to reduce it and definitely brighten it up.
 
Explicit Shine said:
My guess is is plastic as you stated as my moms impala has the same trim you are speaking off.
Try a cleaner was such as D151 or even poli seal but i don't think you will have luck with a metal polish.
But one thing is sure as the coating on these plastic pieces is VERY thin and once you have gone to far that is it.
But go light then work up from there.

Personally i have had a lot of luck with M205 by hand with a foam applicator being gentle. You may not be able to remove all the scratches and swirls out of the trim but you will be able to reduce it and definitely brighten it up.
Click to expand...

I've worked with some of the newer Nissans and the trim isn't plastic .......
 
I cant see nissan using metal as a window trim. maybe a picture will better dictate the process that should be taken
 
I will work on a picture this weekend. All I know is, that the applicator became black, so that might be an indication that it is metal. Either way, I just don't want the swirls that are taking my insanity! I usually try to hit this part with paint sealant, but this was before I was using smart washing techniques! It is a 2010, so it's fairly new.
 
jkk7479 said:
I will work on a picture this weekend. All I know is, that the applicator became black, so that might be an indication that it is metal. Either way, I just don't want the swirls that are taking my insanity! I usually try to hit this part with paint sealant, but this was before I was using smart washing techniques! It is a 2010, so it's fairly new.
Click to expand...


:dblthumb2:
 
I can't see nissan using metal as a window trim on there maxima. If it was metal the one you worked on i bet it had some sort of aftermarket metal window trim package.

A picture may best dictate the best route to go to repair the damage trim.
 
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Explicit Shine said:
I can't see nissan using metal as a window trim on there maxima. If it was metal the one you worked on i bet it had some sort of aftermarket metal window trim package.

A picture may best dictate the best route to go to repair the damage trim.
Click to expand...


It's my Maxima dude and no aftermarket window trim was added to it. All Maxima's appear to have this chrome accent. I will have a pic up this weekend.

:xyxthumbs:
 
Most chrome trim on new cars is plastic chrome, be sure whatever you decide to use to test first in an inconspicuous area and check the results...

Sometimes, when it comes to trim, it's faster to replace it, not always easier...


:)
 
I wasn't implying your maxima had metal trim. I was referring to the one shade tree said is metal that he has worked on.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Most chrome trim on new cars is plastic chrome, be sure whatever you decide to use to test first in an inconspicuous area and check the results...

Sometimes, when it comes to trim, it's faster to replace it, not always easier...


:)
Click to expand...


Mike, Could I ask your opinion on the best approach on how to care for this trim? Do you think the Meguiar's chrome polish is a good idea?

Didn't mean to take it that way Shine, but the previous poster didn't mention Maxima, he said Nissan, so I thought you were specifically talking to me.
 
If the OP polished the trim piece and it turned the applicator black it's an uncoated metal, likely aluminum. My car has the same metal trim around the windows.


4SAGAD.jpg
 
:iagree:

Domestic mfgs. are generally plastic trim pieces. Newer import & European cr makers have gone back to the thin, flimsy aluminum. Even the black trim on the BMW is metal .......... environmentally friendly materials.
:props:
 
Thank you for the help everyone. I think I am going to work with the Meguiars Chrome Polish and try to get the best results. The chrome is no where bad enough to need replacing....but I want a swirl free car! I think I have some disease.....I keep pointing out Swirls to my girlfriend and she thinks I am crazy!:buffing:
 
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I have a suggestion! Since it is brand new take it back to the dealer and ask them to replace them for u! It may work. I have had good luck with a similar problem at a Dodge dealer and they gave me no trouble at all!
 
Shade Tree said:
No worries,

Anytime metal is polished you're going to see the applicator turn black at ssome point. This means that the polish is doing it's job in removing whatever contamination there may be on the metal. You'd see the same results if you were cleaning silverware to tail pipes.

You could use a machine process, but because the pieces are trim and therefore are somewhat small & maybe difficult to reach in some areas, I would stick to the hand application.

Keep in mind that when these pieces are polished to a high shine that any future scratches are going to be more apparent & usually the same pieces will be more susceptible to scratching. Something as simple as using a microfiber towel to wipe typical road dust off of the trim would show the most subtle fine scratching.

I normally will use a paint sealant or wheel wax after polishing aluminum just for added protection and of course the oh so important piece of mind.
Click to expand...
Perfectly said IMO!
 
I like to use Wenol Metal Polish. There is the "regular" grade and an ultra soft grade.

I used the regular on a Chrysler 300 C with a lot of chrome trim and it took out almost all the scratches fairly easy.
 
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