Aluminum Marks

[ChrisBass]

Has anyone else experienced spot marks on the alloy trim?

Not much luck washing the car today..noticed the spots on the trim and the wing indicator fell off..dumm

[pippyrips]

Yep, known fault caused by washing with certain liquids/chemicals.

You can try warranty but didn't get any joy myself.

[APM]

Got mine done under warranty!

[pippyrips]

Hmm, maybe I should try another dealer.

[Marcus-RS4]

I use this http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/zai ... d_459.html quite expensive, but it does clean up the trim then protects it!

[scoobyc]

depending on the marks, nothing will remove it! If it looks "milky" then its between the coating and metal. I've tried zaino aio, swissvax cleanser, menzerna ip and even wet sanding and makes no difference. Only thing left i can think of is to completely sand it back to bare metal (approx 30 microns of coating just now) or buy new ones. The new ones aren't that dear eg £30ish rear and £20ish front but the problem is the time involved fitting them and doing any damage in the process, as there a push-on type fitting and would be very easy to bend/mark the new ones when putting them on. I've even looked out for a second hand door to play about with but no luck. Currently waiting on suppling dealer to let me know what there going to do about it

[softail]

Mine's the same and it seems to be getting worse with every wash. I had exactly the same problem with the brightwork on my S4 B7. The dealer said he would replace under warranty but because he couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be any minor sqeaks or rattles after fitting (all the internal door and 3/4 panels have to be dimantled), he suggested I might want to live with it. Unfortunately the car was stolen before I could make up my mind. I'll see how bad this goes before I take it in. It's a chemical reaction with some cleaning fluids - I use AutoGlym wash and conditioner which may have started the problem. Solvol Autosol won't shift it.

[scoobyc]

don't think you have to remove the door cards etc to remove them on an rs4 b7 with aluminium trim. They're a push fit from the outside and the dealer is suppossed to mask the top edge of the door while "bending" them off using a plastic wedge.

[pippyrips]

Depends on which trim parts are marked. If the rear 3/4 is marked i've been told its a 3/4 window out job?!

I've also been told by my local dealer that the front and rear door trims are bolted on from the inside, though my Elsawin manual suggests Scoobytc is right about masking and pushing with plastic - anyone able to confirm eitherway?

[scoobyc]

sorry didn't realise you were on about rear windows. On the ones i've seen though it only seems to be the door parts that are badly effected, the rest seem to cleanse/polish up ok, eg around the rear glass and along the roof line.
The "normal" trims are definately doorcard off etc and you also have to seperate the top half of the door from the bottom! Also the top part of rear 3/4/rooflinr piece is riveted on so not a 2 min job!

[scoobyc]

Just found out that the parts are aluminium with a clear anodized coating. Once they react (with anything from car wash to acid rain being blamed!) and go "milky" theres nothing that will remove the marks and the only option is to remove the anodized coating or replace the parts. If you removed the coating they would have to be treated regulary with a metal polish to protect the bare aluminium and doubt you would manage to get the "brushed" look that it origianlly comes with

[pippyrips]

I still find it hard to believe Audi would put them on a 50k+ car knowing this would happen in certain circumstances!

[scoobyc]

bit like putting shocks on the rs4 that leaked on rs6's

[pippyrips]

now you come to mention it......

[mattwchappell]

Got the same marks on mine
Took it down dealers and there gonna replace next wk. Under warrenty.