Removing water spots on plated kidney grills

Tymestream · 06-09-2019, 06:58 PM

This is the first car that has had this problem and it is proving challenging. Admittedly it is not a critical issue, but surely someone has a tip for removing water spots from the chrome(?) plated kidney grills?

I have tried aluminum foil and some mild metal cleaners, both of which I found through some web searches, but nothing seems to work. Any magic trick one of you knows?

Thanks guys!

Billfitz · 06-09-2019, 09:00 PM

Never had any myself. I wash my car with Optimum No Rinse, according to the directions, and never get water spots anywhere.

exE36M3 · 06-10-2019, 09:18 AM

Cleaning vinegar. Put on paper towel, let paper towel "stick" to the area with spots for about 2-3 minutes, then gently wipe away.

We have hard water up here in the 'burbs of NorCal. Can't clean or wash anything without waterspots.

If you use this method on your car's paint, be sure to follow-up with wax or some protectant.

Newman1 · 06-10-2019, 09:52 AM

Meguiars has a hard water spot remover that you can try. The aluminum foil or metal cleaner won't work well since as you stated, it's chrome plated, not actual chrome. I always use my leaf blower to dry my cars after washing them to avoid water spots, so once you get them removed, prevent them from coming back when possible by drying it quickly.

John in VA · 06-10-2019, 10:03 AM

I would think the metal cleaner/polish would do the job. Perhaps try a paint polish or compound. Don't know if something like CLR or Lime-A-way would be too strong, especially with the thin "chrome"/plastic grill.

Tymestream · 06-12-2019, 03:05 PM

Thanks for your responses everyone. I will try a few of these and get back to you. We also have hard water. Thanks!

wdeerfield · 06-13-2019, 09:09 AM

metal polishes on a plastic chrome grill wont work. you need to wash the car again and dry the car after.

rjd598 · 06-16-2019, 03:02 PM

please use a dedicated water spot remover. almost every company offers them. you'll have to do some research because i haven't used one in years and i know a few companies have put out better products. just make sure to wear gloves and clean the surface well afterwards. water spot removers are definitely on the harsher side of detailing products.

06-09-2019, 06:58 PM	#1
Tymestream New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2014 435xi M Sport Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Removing water spots on plated kidney grills This is the first car that has had this problem and it is proving challenging. Admittedly it is not a critical issue, but surely someone has a tip for removing water spots from the chrome(?) plated kidney grills? I have tried aluminum foil and some mild metal cleaners, both of which I found through some web searches, but nothing seems to work. Any magic trick one of you knows? Thanks guys!
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06-09-2019, 09:00 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Never had any myself. I wash my car with Optimum No Rinse, according to the directions, and never get water spots anywhere.
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06-10-2019, 09:18 AM	#3
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Cleaning vinegar. Put on paper towel, let paper towel "stick" to the area with spots for about 2-3 minutes, then gently wipe away. We have hard water up here in the 'burbs of NorCal. Can't clean or wash anything without waterspots. If you use this method on your car's paint, be sure to follow-up with wax or some protectant.
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06-10-2019, 09:52 AM	#4
Newman1 Private First Class 56 Rep 108 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: PDX iTrader: (0)	Meguiars has a hard water spot remover that you can try. The aluminum foil or metal cleaner won't work well since as you stated, it's chrome plated, not actual chrome. I always use my leaf blower to dry my cars after washing them to avoid water spots, so once you get them removed, prevent them from coming back when possible by drying it quickly.
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06-10-2019, 10:03 AM	#5
John in VA Colonel 983 Rep 2,193 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	I would think the metal cleaner/polish would do the job. Perhaps try a paint polish or compound. Don't know if something like CLR or Lime-A-way would be too strong, especially with the thin "chrome"/plastic grill. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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06-12-2019, 03:05 PM	#6
Tymestream New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2014 435xi M Sport Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your responses everyone. I will try a few of these and get back to you. We also have hard water. Thanks!
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06-13-2019, 09:09 AM	#7
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2745 Rep 7,741 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	metal polishes on a plastic chrome grill wont work. you need to wash the car again and dry the car after. __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
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06-16-2019, 03:02 PM	#8
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	please use a dedicated water spot remover. almost every company offers them. you'll have to do some research because i haven't used one in years and i know a few companies have put out better products. just make sure to wear gloves and clean the surface well afterwards. water spot removers are definitely on the harsher side of detailing products.
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