Black high gloss trim stains

[hanman]

Does anyone know how to remove the water mark stains?

Thx

[Jenya B]

Originally Posted by hanman

Does anyone know how to remove the water mark stains?

Thx

i have the same issue

[hanman]

Glad I am not the only one...

[buckeyewalt]

Fortunately I don't have water mark stains on my trim, but I have removed water stain (spots) before on glass and paint by either using a windshield glass spot/stain remover (yes I used it on paint also), a clay bay (on painted surfaces) or vinegar (diluted). Depending on how bad it is stained (spot etching) will depend on what to use. After cleaning, use a sealant to preserve. Do not use abrasive cleaners as they will swirl the gloss finish. As always, test it on a small area first.

[gorun]

Most likely you have damaged your glossy shadowline trim by washing your car with certain contactless washing solution and the spots are not water spots but the degreaser agent in the contactless shampoo eating into the trim. Have it on my car too. I do not think you can fix it once it happens. The solution is to have your car washed with regular car shampoo and sponge...and then you get scratch marks

[hanman]

Thanks everyone I will try these suggestions

[GoSooners]

Originally Posted by hanman

Glad I am not the only one...

+1!!

I've owned 2 black cars before this and never had this issue but I suppose you guys are referring to the trim along the C/D pillars correct?

I parked under a parking lamp and a bid did its duty or doodoo. And as I tend to wash the car on the weekend, I only had it on there for a few days but the sun just baked it in. I tried claybar after a regular wash and it didn't get it out even.

I'm certain it's NOT the soap I'm using. I'm pretty particular with products and methods used to watch my car, first Bimmer, first encounter with such issue.

Will try the diluted vinegar...

[buckeyewalt]

Whatever you use, you are going to have to use some muscle to get it out. Try full strength vinegar, which is a mild acid, glass water spot cleaner, even some mild abrasive like chrome cleaner, paint cleaner, or if you have a power buffer, some 3M paint cleaner. It's not easy to remove the stains, hence the muscle part. Always follow-up with a good wax or polish. Again, test on a small area before doing the whole thing. I feel for you guys because I know that this is a PITA!!!!

[hanman]

trying this evening will keep you guys in the loop.... I'm very particular as well in regards to keeping my vehicle looking clean. Thanks again for all the tips

[hanman]

Yes it's the trim only...

[Ggluck3]

Got it on my 2014 x5 too. So annoying!

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by buckeyewalt

Whatever you use, you are going to have to use some muscle to get it out. Try full strength vinegar, which is a mild acid, glass water spot cleaner, even some mild abrasive like chrome cleaner, paint cleaner, or if you have a power buffer, some 3M paint cleaner. It's not easy to remove the stains, hence the muscle part. Always follow-up with a good wax or polish. Again, test on a small area before doing the whole thing. I feel for you guys because I know that this is a PITA!!!!

I assume you have to use Distilled Vinegar not the usual brown stuff we English put on our fish n chips.

[sand99]

Wow, I never knew the shadowline trim could stain like this! I normally never put polish or sealant on the trim pieces because it's such a PITA to get the residue out of the nooks and crannies but I may have to reconsider that when my X5 gets here after seeing this thread.

Do the high gloss roof rails stain easily too? I have aluminum roof rails on my current X3, and have never run into this problem.

[buckeyewalt]

Originally Posted by Baunton

I assume you have to use Distilled Vinegar not the usual brown stuff we English put on our fish n chips.

Yes distilled vinegar....

[buckeyewalt]

Originally Posted by sand99

Wow, I never knew the shadowline trim could stain like this! I normally never put polish or sealant on the trim pieces because it's such a PITA to get the residue out of the nooks and crannies but I may have to reconsider that when my X5 gets here after seeing this thread.

Do the high gloss roof rails stain easily too? I have aluminum roof rails on my current X3, and have never run into this problem.

With the high gloss trim, you don't get the wax or polish in the small crannies because there aren't any!

[hanman]

Just picked up Meguiar's water spot remover and it worked perfectly

[kip1]

Originally Posted by hanman

Does anyone know how to remove the water mark stains?

Thx

Pic?

[ChicagoDon]

Same problem with my 2014 X5 M Sport. I bought Mothers Plastic Cleaner and it worked perfectly. Wipe on, wipe off. Stains are gone.

[stewy604]

^^^ Good to know. I've got some mild stains on mine (there when I took delivery last week). I'll give this a try.

[Matt376]

Glad I found this post. I'll revive this post as a reminder to be weary of touch free washes. I have 2017 X5M and got the spotting on my shadow line trim. Thought I was doing myself a favor by doing touch-free wash since I didn't have time to hand wash last week. Oops! Wish I would've known sooner. I'll be getting my hands on some water spot remover as well. Fingers crossed that I have the same luck.

[P1]

A light polish will take this off.

[Matt376]

So I bought some Maguire’s Water Spot Remover. It worked on most of the trim with one application. Oddly enough, there were two areas it made minimal impact on even after 3 applications. The upper portion of the trim on the right rear window and driver’s door. One pic shows the before and after in an area that it worked. The other is a before and after where it didn’t. When I got home I decided to try out some Mothers Power Metal Aluminum Polish and lightly buffed a small area and it took off the stubborn stuff that the water spot remover wouldn’t. I do not have an after with the Aluminum Polish but will post when I can get it in better light. Glad the water spot remover worked for most, but if you get stuck like I did, looks like the Aluminum Polish is a good alternative.

Here's a link to the Mother's Polish but I think it's discontinued. No clue how long I have had it laying around. I'm sure there's a current equivalent. https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9386428/01036