Chrome trim on B5.5

[W8_in_WA]

Anyone else having an issue with the chrome trim looking 'oxidized'? On my 03 W8 the chrome trim isn't as shiny and looks dull in some places. I was wondering if anyone has experience this as well, and knows how to make the chrome look nice and shiny again!!??

[E CODE]

Buy new parts....

The chrome is known to break down and oxidize, sometimes just by using car washes at gas stations... plus age. It is chromed plastic so not something that you can easily 'buff' or bring back to life.

[W8_in_WA]

Buy new parts....

The chrome is known to break down and oxidize, sometimes just by using car washes at gas stations... plus age. It is chromed plastic so not something that you can easily 'buff' or bring back to life.

Good to know. Thanks for the input

[scotts13]

Buy new parts....

The chrome is known to break down and oxidize, sometimes just by using car washes at gas stations... plus age. It is chromed plastic so not something that you can easily 'buff' or bring back to life.

Easily? No. Possible? Yes. The "chrome" is actually plastic-coated aluminum; the exposed surface is the plastic. It gets cloudy from exposure to the elements, and automatic car washes greatly accelerate the effect. I took mine from awful to nearly new with Novus plastic polish. It's three stages of a liquid slurry; you mask off the trim, and start with the coarsest grit, just like polishing your headlights. Has to be done by hand, and carefully - but after seven or eight hours of work and some very sore fingers, I saved hundreds of dollars in replacement trim.

[W8_in_WA]

I took mine from awful to nearly new with Novus plastic polish.

So if mine isn't 'awful' then I shouldn't have too much of a hard time??

[scotts13]

So if mine isn't 'awful' then I shouldn't have too much of a hard time??

Just like headlights, if it's not too bad start with the medium grit, not the coarsest.