Exterior trim

apex_crisis_ · 09-05-2020, 10:15 AM

Hi all,

So I've spotted this after washing the car and my first thought was oh the shampoo dried up and I'll just clean it off... Nope, it doesn't come off! So I'm not sure what this is or how to get it off... Also this is only on one side of the car, the other one is fine. And you can see the black trim above it is completely fine with no marks so I'm a little puzzled.

White435 · 09-05-2020, 10:25 AM

I would experiment with different cleaning products and if nothing changes I'd just polish it off with the softest polishing paste I could find.

bellguy · 09-05-2020, 02:20 PM

Try IPA panel wipe, if not use a fine abrasive compound on a white foam pad at about 2500 rpm on a da, should remove that no problem, something fine like Gyeon Q2 primer or Sonax fine cut will be perfect.

learntocode · 09-05-2020, 02:23 PM

OP try detailing spray and clay bar?

Skyhigh · 09-06-2020, 04:01 AM

Polishing seems to be the only thing which would help you.

Billfitz · 09-06-2020, 07:28 AM

I wrapped mine. I got tired of having to polish them every six months to remove the spider webbing, and now they match the mirror covers that I also wrapped. Textured CF stays looking good. https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/BMW/B Pillar.jpg

RAK92 · 09-06-2020, 11:59 AM

Looks like hard water stains. I’d try using a clay bar first and if that doesn’t work then I’d do with a fine polish and pad. Maybe that side got sprayed by some lawn sprinkler? Some use well water and it will definitely make some spots like that.

exE36M3 · 09-06-2020, 02:28 PM

Got any vinegar around? Vinegar and a soft cloth takes off water spots pretty fast. Follow-up with wax if this is a painted part.

arucano · 09-07-2020, 07:18 PM

That looks like hard water spots. Try so vinegar to dissolve the deposits. Do not try to pollish because the deposits are likely abrasive.

Desertnate · 09-08-2020, 08:41 AM

Agree, those look to be hard water spots. Do you park anywhere the car could be hit with water from sprinklers?

If the vinegar approach doesn't work, polishing out out is the only way to get rid of those. While trying things like vinegar, be very careful to use a really soft MF towel. That plastic trim is really soft and will scratch/swirl easily.

The good news is because it is so soft it will polish out pretty easily. I've not tried it by hand, but with a dual action polisher and a polishing pad with a little finishing polish you can fully correct that area with only a couple quick passes.

Whatever you do, be gentle.

bellguy · 09-09-2020, 03:29 PM

Had marks like this on the roof of my black 440i, nothing removed it except DA and a fine ABRASIVE compound, roof perfect and glass like again, do NOT be affraid to polish it out, our workshop polishes harsh paintwork marks many many times monthly without any issue whatsoever and has been doing for 20 plus years, if it can buff out 1000 grit sanding marks a few hard water spots will not damage the glass.

apex_crisis_ · 09-11-2020, 05:31 PM

Tried vinegar but no luck, I guess polish it is. Still wondering where it came from and how there is nothing on the black trim right above it.

bellguy · 09-12-2020, 05:31 AM

Agree its very strange how it is ONLY on the glass and missed all surrounding areas .

Post a pic once you have polished it, if you have no compounds can i suggest a small bottle os Sonax cut max, don't be afraid of the words CUT MAX as it all depends on what pads you use, cut max on a black or yellow pad works wonders on glass and leaves a lovely slick finish, after cut just wax or sealant of choice to finish

09-05-2020, 10:15 AM	#1
apex_crisis_ Private 50 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Exterior trim - something splashed on and damaged Hi all, So I've spotted this after washing the car and my first thought was oh the shampoo dried up and I'll just clean it off... Nope, it doesn't come off! So I'm not sure what this is or how to get it off... Also this is only on one side of the car, the other one is fine. And you can see the black trim above it is completely fine with no marks so I'm a little puzzled.
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09-05-2020, 10:25 AM	#2
White435 Citizen of ///M Town 73 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2014 435i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Białystok iTrader: (0)	I would experiment with different cleaning products and if nothing changes I'd just polish it off with the softest polishing paste I could find.
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09-05-2020, 02:20 PM	#3
bellguy Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 283 Posts Drives: BMW 2019 440I M sport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Try IPA panel wipe, if not use a fine abrasive compound on a white foam pad at about 2500 rpm on a da, should remove that no problem, something fine like Gyeon Q2 primer or Sonax fine cut will be perfect.
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09-05-2020, 02:23 PM	#4
learntocode Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 243 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	OP try detailing spray and clay bar?
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09-06-2020, 04:01 AM	#5
Skyhigh Brigadier General 1879 Rep 3,861 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Polishing seems to be the only thing which would help you. __________________ "Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
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09-06-2020, 07:28 AM	#6
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,060 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I wrapped mine. I got tired of having to polish them every six months to remove the spider webbing, and now they match the mirror covers that I also wrapped. Textured CF stays looking good. https://billfitzmaurice.info/images/BMW/B Pillar.jpg
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09-06-2020, 11:59 AM	#7
RAK92 First Lieutenant 118 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2016 435i Coupe M Sport Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	Looks like hard water stains. I’d try using a clay bar first and if that doesn’t work then I’d do with a fine polish and pad. Maybe that side got sprayed by some lawn sprinkler? Some use well water and it will definitely make some spots like that.
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09-06-2020, 02:28 PM	#8
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Got any vinegar around? Vinegar and a soft cloth takes off water spots pretty fast. Follow-up with wax if this is a painted part.
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09-07-2020, 07:18 PM	#9
arucano Captain 251 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 2014 M6 Grand Coupe CP Join Date: May 2017 Location: Kingwood TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M6 GC [10.00]	That looks like hard water spots. Try so vinegar to dissolve the deposits. Do not try to pollish because the deposits are likely abrasive. __________________ F06 M6 Grand Coupe CP Sapphire Black Metallic The drive is the destination
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09-08-2020, 08:41 AM	#10
Desertnate Captain 391 Rep 849 Posts Drives: BMW 435i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Swansea, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 435i [0.00]	Agree, those look to be hard water spots. Do you park anywhere the car could be hit with water from sprinklers? If the vinegar approach doesn't work, polishing out out is the only way to get rid of those. While trying things like vinegar, be very careful to use a really soft MF towel. That plastic trim is really soft and will scratch/swirl easily. The good news is because it is so soft it will polish out pretty easily. I've not tried it by hand, but with a dual action polisher and a polishing pad with a little finishing polish you can fully correct that area with only a couple quick passes. Whatever you do, be gentle. __________________ Stop by and check out my blog: The Car Geek
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09-09-2020, 03:29 PM	#11
bellguy Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 283 Posts Drives: BMW 2019 440I M sport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Had marks like this on the roof of my black 440i, nothing removed it except DA and a fine ABRASIVE compound, roof perfect and glass like again, do NOT be affraid to polish it out, our workshop polishes harsh paintwork marks many many times monthly without any issue whatsoever and has been doing for 20 plus years, if it can buff out 1000 grit sanding marks a few hard water spots will not damage the glass.
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09-11-2020, 05:31 PM	#12
apex_crisis_ Private 50 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Tried vinegar but no luck, I guess polish it is. Still wondering where it came from and how there is nothing on the black trim right above it.
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09-12-2020, 05:31 AM	#13
bellguy Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 283 Posts Drives: BMW 2019 440I M sport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Agree its very strange how it is ONLY on the glass and missed all surrounding areas . Post a pic once you have polished it, if you have no compounds can i suggest a small bottle os Sonax cut max, don't be afraid of the words CUT MAX as it all depends on what pads you use, cut max on a black or yellow pad works wonders on glass and leaves a lovely slick finish, after cut just wax or sealant of choice to finish
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