Shadowline Trim - Color wearing off

[saveferris]

Anyone having issues with the color wearing off the exterior trim? I have a white car with the shadowline trim and the trim is starting to lose color. Similar spot on both passenger and driver side an inch or two from where the door closes.

Anyone have this issue, I'm thinking of painting or vinyl wrap as a fix. Leaning towards vinyl wrap but wondering if anyone has any experience with it.

Thanks.

[YearOneOne]

Pics?

[YearOneOne]

But no I don't have the problem, didn't even know that could happen!

[Gray_Panther]

Compound and polish, my friend.

[mr.fabulous]

Much of mine looks like some sort of liquid dried on it while in a bright sun. Spotty? Not something anybody but me would notice, not sure it's gotten any worse in the 2yrs I've owned the car.

[Kev!n]

Mine had the "spotted - liquid dried in the sun look" after running it through a touch free wash a couple of times this past winter. Something in the chemicals they use was causing it. I found that it eventually fades and a little bit of gentle polishing and wax/sealant fixes it.

[Fakemike]

Here is a sticky from the detailing section:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1153749

In another thread someone recommends P21s:

http://www.p21s.com/news/news.html

"Anodized Shadowline trim

Anodizing is an electrolytic passivization process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer (natural protection) on the surface of metal parts. The process is called "anodizing" because the part to be treated forms the anode electrode of an electrical circuit. Anodizing increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and provides better adhesion for paint primers and glues than bare metal. For cleaning this type of surface use P21S Polishing Soap using light / medium pressure"

[saveferris]

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

Pics?

Here's a pic. It's not the spotting that others have mentioned. Or, if it is it's a really bad case of it. This is from the passenger side which is worse than the driver's side. Looks to me like the black color is wearing away but maybe it's something else.

The car is garaged both at home and during the day while I'm at the office so it's not outside that much, I drive it about 5,000 miles/year. Wondering if anyone else has seen this and if so what to do to fix it.

https://goo.gl/photos/tFNDghmF27mg4Q656

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by saveferris

Here's a pic. It's not the spotting that others have mentioned. Or, if it is it's a really bad case of it. This is from the passenger side which is worse than the driver's side. Looks to me like the black color is wearing away but maybe it's something else.

The car is garaged both at home and during the day while I'm at the office so it's not outside that much, I drive it about 5,000 miles/year. Wondering if anyone else has seen this and if so what to do to fix it.

https://goo.gl/photos/tFNDghmF27mg4Q656

Whoa that's worst than i expected, never seen it that bad before.

[1and1]

Wow, that is bad....

Does it have a distinct texture, and if so does it feel like its into the surface or something on the surface? In or on basically. I'm wondering because it's supposed to be an anodized finish and there aren't many things that would wear into the surface like that.

[Esteban]

Unusual. I have the same year and my trim doesn't look like that.

[tock172]

Looks like the result of prolonged chemical exposure, perhaps from the carwash you mentioned. I wouldn't bother trying to fix it. Instead, I would search for a replacement and go that route.

[Robbie135]

Pretty sure a compound won't get that out. You're probably better off just getting it wrapped.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by tock172

Looks like the result of prolonged chemical exposure, perhaps from the carwash you mentioned. I wouldn't bother trying to fix it. Instead, I would search for a replacement and go that route.

I don't see where the OP mentions a carwash.

Kevin does though.

[methodz]

Damn! Did that happen overnight? How did you let it get that bad lol! Looks like someone poured lighter fluid on it and lit the match! If that doesn't come off I'd sand the whole trim down and just vinyl it.

[Kev!n]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I don't see where the OP mentions a carwash.

Kevin does though.

Mine wasn't even close to that. It was more of a "water spot" that wouldn't wipe off with quick detailer. That looks like something went wrong during the manufacturing process or prolonged exposure to something.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Kev!n

Mine wasn't even close to that. It was more of a "water spot" that wouldn't wipe off with quick detailer. That looks like something went wrong during the manufacturing process or prolonged exposure to something.

Yeah, I agree that that looks bad. Should just look in to replacing it as others have said.

[1and1]

I believe it's the bottom piece that's permanently bonded to the glass, means replacing the back side window to repair. Doesn't do any good things to the cost....

[E82MSport]

To me, this looks like calcium/lime deposits from hard water. Would need a better image to be sure but if this is on the surface and feels grainy/rough it can be removed. If you scratch it with your nail and white powdery substance comes off then it's deposits.

If it's deposits you can use a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar to dissolve it and then use a medium cut compound on a rag to get rid of the remaining. You can finish it up with polish and wax.