Has anyone managed to successfully repair or wrap the milky aluminium trim?

[chive90]

My RS4’s aluminium trim that goes around the windows has gone milky. I’ve seen quite a few like this so know I’m not alone.

After much research online and after consulting with a couple of detailers, it seems that this is anodised aluminium and is impossible to restore to its original state.

I’m sure I have read online that people often get this wrapped. Many seem to wrap the alu colour black but I would like to keep the matte aluminium look.

Has anyone on here had this done and can vouch that it can be done properly? I want it to look OEM and don’t want half a job.

Thanks

[Quinten]

I'd be interested in finding this out as well. Car is otherwise pristine, but those surrounds draw all the attention :/

[Zyox]

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=142728&p=967198&hilit=Lap6#p966198

LAP6 paint code with a matte lacquer is what I passed onto my paint Shop last year who redid all the trim prices and the mirrors during a full respray. Replacing the trim pieces just wasn't an option any more so we had to go for repair and paint. Wouldn't notice the difference now and got rid of all the spotting. They played with the levels of matte lacquer on a few test pieces and got a really close match that worked well in the end.

[chive90]

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=142728&p=967198&hilit=Lap6#p966198

LAP6 paint code with a matte lacquer is what I passed onto my paint Shop last year who redid all the trim prices and the mirrors during a full respray. Replacing the trim pieces just wasn't an option any more so we had to go for repair and paint. Wouldn't notice the difference now and got rid of all the spotting. They played with the levels of matte lacquer on a few test pieces and got a really close match that worked well in the end.

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That looks great. So they painted it the exact same as the mirrors? As the mirrors are LAP6 with matte lacquer aren't they from memory.
I don't believe the alu trim is the same as the mirrors from factory though but from your pictures, you wouldn't know.

Did they have to remove the trim to paint it, or they did it with it on the car? I guess with a full respray the paint job on the trim becomes easier but if I just want the trim pieces done with them on the car it may become much more of a pain to do.

Also curious how much painting them would compare with getting them wrapped. Again, I would guess you don't have this cost to hand if you had the whole car done - unless they priced it all individually.

For someone that would probably say that black is their least favourite RS4 colour, that looks absolutely fantastic, wow!

[Zyox]

Yeah so initially I was aware there was a difference between trim and mirrors but after trim got done mirrors did not look good - I requested they leave them alone because they only had a few chips. We came together and ultimately they wanted everything done to make it look complete and I came around to their thinking. Yeah it's not "stock" but it's as close as I could get. This car was broken into with doors bent and trim damaged by pry bars so I'm extremely happy at how it looks now after that.

Ultimately they had to remove the trim to paint it. Big job. Rear window has to come out to do it all properly. I looked at getting replacement pieces from wreckers etc but they all insisted I come and remove the trim as it was too messy and they couldn't guarantee they wouldn't damage it. I even looked at getting it in the US as I was over there at the time. But just too risky and would still suffer from the spotting.

I don't have an individual price I'm afraid as it was a little bit of repair, a stressful mess in parts getting, and a lot of paint prep and work. But I'm very happy with the outcome and very happy I went with the painted trim and mirror solution. It is all about them getting the lacquer mix/matte Vs semi gloss levels correct though. I was very very VERY lucky in that the place I used were perfectionists and took their time until it was done properly.

[chive90]

Yeah so initially I was aware there was a difference between trim and mirrors but after trim got done mirrors did not look good - I requested they leave them alone because they only had a few chips. We came together and ultimately they wanted everything done to make it look complete and I came around to their thinking. Yeah it's not "stock" but it's as close as I could get. This car was broken into with doors bent and trim damaged by pry bars so I'm extremely happy at how it looks now after that.

Ultimately they had to remove the trim to paint it. Big job. Rear window has to come out to do it all properly. I looked at getting replacement pieces from wreckers etc but they all insisted I come and remove the trim as it was too messy and they couldn't guarantee they wouldn't damage it. I even looked at getting it in the US as I was over there at the time. But just too risky and would still suffer from the spotting.

I don't have an individual price I'm afraid as it was a little bit of repair, a stressful mess in parts getting, and a lot of paint prep and work. But I'm very happy with the outcome and very happy I went with the painted trim and mirror solution. It is all about them getting the lacquer mix/matte Vs semi gloss levels correct though. I was very very VERY lucky in that the place I used were perfectionists and took their time until it was done properly.

LAP6 with satin clear coat is the OE mirror colour I am led to believe. So this same paint code on your trims should be very very close to the mirrors, even if a little different from the original trim colour.

Thanks, very useful to hear that you got it painted. I will enquire at a few bodyshops and see what they can do. If it requires full removal though then I will just have to get it wrapped. Many seem to wrap the alu trim with a matte black so I can't see it being a problem having it wrapped in matte aluminum colour instead.

[Zyox]

Yeah if I was doing it as a standalone job I'd definitely try the wrap option to see how it comes out. Doing it on its own would not be worth it unless getting other paint work done in my opinion. Let us know how you get on please!