White Substance on Vents

VenumE82 · 02-23-2016, 06:05 PM

Hey guys,

i got this white substance type shit on my air conditioning vents and I can't seem to clean them off. I've tried 3 different cleaning products on them and nothing seems to do the trick. Has this occurred to any of you? Anyone have a fix for it? Thanks guys, all help is appreciated.

ShocknAwe · 02-23-2016, 08:40 PM

Happened to me. Had to replace the vents. Literally nothing worked. Not for longer than a few hours anyway. Lots of people have opinions about what works, but IMO, it's irreversible sun/heat damage. Changed em out, tinted my windshield, and been years since and hasn't happened again.

VenumE82 · 02-23-2016, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Happened to me. Had to replace the vents. Literally nothing worked. Not for longer than a few hours anyway. Lots of people have opinions about what works, but IMO, it's irreversible sun/heat damage. Changed em out, tinted my windshield, and been years since and hasn't happened again.

Cool man thanks for the response. I tried Better Life All Purpose Cleaner, Awesome, Simple Green, and Mr Clean Magic Erasers and none of them worked. I then figured it was sun damage.

I literally just took a very sharp blade and took the first layer off. They came out pretty good and I got lucky to not damage them.

Thanks BMW.

chris82 · 02-23-2016, 08:48 PM

I had it too, same exact thing. I couldn't clean it with anything so I just replaced the whole unit, it's easy to do and the part is cheap.

motley2012 · 02-24-2016, 02:33 AM

Gtechniq tyre and trim, twice a year applications with a cotton bud does the trick. (And it's great on tyres too)

RoundelM3 · 02-24-2016, 08:50 AM

I was going to suggest Armor-All or something similar...

Stewy_604 · 02-24-2016, 02:11 PM

No issues here...but that would definitely annoy me!

tock172 · 02-24-2016, 04:07 PM

I have this as well. I haven't bothered to treat it with anything. I just planned on replacing all of the vents, if I kept the car long enough. The 1 series is a great car, but the interior materials are a total let down and it's quite cheap in some areas.

I'd be curious to know, how many who have iDrive and the faded vents also have the small area of dash delamination above the passenger airbag?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=888315

Craig in Alabam · 02-24-2016, 06:24 PM

Hi Folks,

I had this same issue on my new-to-me 128ic. I used some mothers Back to Black on them (applied with a q-tip) and it really helped. Some of the vents look perfect now, but a couple still have a little discoloration. I think a couple more applications will help, but it's definitely better.

Cheers!
Craig

ShocknAwe · 02-24-2016, 06:48 PM

Back to black is extremely temporary, as is ANY trim or tire dressing for this issue.

If you grind it off, or replace it, be sure to apply heat blocking film to your windshield or it will just happen again. Good quality tint works too. You could do AirBlue if you didn't want to go darker, but I have Huper Optik 60% on mine and it's 100% legal here. Should be most places I figure.

VenumE82 · 02-24-2016, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

I have this as well. I haven't bothered to treat it with anything. I just planned on replacing all of the vents, if I kept the car long enough. The 1 series is a great car, but the interior materials are a total let down and it's quite cheap in some areas.

I'd be curious to know, how many who have iDrive and the faded vents also have the small area of dash delamination above the passenger airbag?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=888315

My dashboard looks awful. Above those vents, the glue has completely given out and there is a huge air pocket. I am going to be using a heat gun to try and get the adhesive below the to reactivate. I'll be doing it in the next few days.

tock172 · 02-27-2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VenumE82

My dashboard looks awful. Above those vents, the glue has completely given out and there is a huge air pocket. I am going to be using a heat gun to try and get the adhesive below the to reactivate. I'll be doing it in the next few days.

I'm worried about messing with mine. I may or may not try to claim the dash under my warranty. My fear is that they will tear apart my entire car and then I will have a new dash, along with a bunch of new squeaks and rattles.

Olgeezer1 · 02-28-2016, 01:23 PM

Yeah, my 2 great worries, sun damage and salt damage. The salt I deal with by winter storage. For the sun, on clear days, it's a quality car cover at home and at work. Takes about 2 mins. on/off. On days where it might rain I just use a simple windshield cover to at least protect the dash. On a 6 yr. old car, interior looks like new.

PA135i · 02-28-2016, 04:37 PM

Sun damage as others have said. Seems like if you live in a warm climate you get the hot sun most of the year.
Another small advantage to living in the snow belt.

Mine still look like new.

6MT_Addict · 02-29-2016, 01:46 PM

Pop the vents out, disassemble them, and hit the louvers with Acrylic Flat Black paint... $6 and an afternoon.

decaturdad · 02-29-2016, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous

Pop the vents out, disassemble them, and hit the louvers with Acrylic Flat Black paint... $6 and an afternoon.

I was thinking the same thing when I was driving the car at lunch. Sounds like a plan.

Esteban · 02-29-2016, 04:36 PM

No issues with my 2011, but my car never sits in the sun. Owned it since new and still looks like new. Of course I had to pay full price...

The Wind Breezes · 02-29-2016, 04:44 PM

That's cocaine. Common problem with BMWs.

tock172 · 02-29-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

No issues with my 2011, but my car never sits in the sun. Owned it since new and still looks like new. Of course I had to pay full price...

Well worth it. Peace of mind is an infinitely rare and priceless commodity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

That's cocaine. Common problem with BMWs.

swagon · 02-29-2016, 05:04 PM

I don't have this issue thankfully. I have sprayed some plastic dressing on the dash a few times, though.

I would clean the vents and apply a plastic restorer product.

Just thinking out loud... couldn't it be a dirty cabin air filter or AC?

Gangplank · 02-29-2016, 10:11 PM

Mine look like that. It's very uniform on all of them. I bought the car used and just figured that was how they look. Guess I might swap them out for some new ones eventually.

Esteban · 02-29-2016, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

No issues with my 2011, but my car never sits in the sun. Owned it since new and still looks like new. Of course I had to pay full price...

Well worth it. Peace of mind is an infinitely rare and priceless commodity.

There is definitely some comfort in starting fresh with a clean slate.

02-23-2016, 06:05 PM	#1
VenumE82 New Member 22 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2011 LeMans Blue 135i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	White Substance on Vents Hey guys, i got this white substance type shit on my air conditioning vents and I can't seem to clean them off. I've tried 3 different cleaning products on them and nothing seems to do the trick. Has this occurred to any of you? Anyone have a fix for it? Thanks guys, all help is appreciated.
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02-23-2016, 08:40 PM	#2
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Happened to me. Had to replace the vents. Literally nothing worked. Not for longer than a few hours anyway. Lots of people have opinions about what works, but IMO, it's irreversible sun/heat damage. Changed em out, tinted my windshield, and been years since and hasn't happened again. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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02-23-2016, 08:48 PM	#4
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	I had it too, same exact thing. I couldn't clean it with anything so I just replaced the whole unit, it's easy to do and the part is cheap.
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02-24-2016, 02:33 AM	#5
motley2012 Private 3 Rep 74 Posts Drives: E88 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Gtechniq tyre and trim, twice a year applications with a cotton bud does the trick. (And it's great on tyres too) Last edited by motley2012; 02-24-2016 at 02:34 AM.. Reason: Mistake
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02-24-2016, 08:50 AM	#6
RoundelM3 Major General 1835 Rep 6,989 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	I was going to suggest Armor-All or something similar... __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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02-24-2016, 02:11 PM	#7
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	No issues here...but that would definitely annoy me! __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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02-24-2016, 04:07 PM	#8
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	I have this as well. I haven't bothered to treat it with anything. I just planned on replacing all of the vents, if I kept the car long enough. The 1 series is a great car, but the interior materials are a total let down and it's quite cheap in some areas. I'd be curious to know, how many who have iDrive and the faded vents also have the small area of dash delamination above the passenger airbag? http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=888315 __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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02-24-2016, 06:24 PM	#9
Craig in Alabam Private 27 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Madison, AL iTrader: (0)	Hi Folks, I had this same issue on my new-to-me 128ic. I used some mothers Back to Black on them (applied with a q-tip) and it really helped. Some of the vents look perfect now, but a couple still have a little discoloration. I think a couple more applications will help, but it's definitely better. Cheers! Craig
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02-24-2016, 06:48 PM	#10
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Back to black is extremely temporary, as is ANY trim or tire dressing for this issue. If you grind it off, or replace it, be sure to apply heat blocking film to your windshield or it will just happen again. Good quality tint works too. You could do AirBlue if you didn't want to go darker, but I have Huper Optik 60% on mine and it's 100% legal here. Should be most places I figure. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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02-28-2016, 01:23 PM	#13
Olgeezer1 Lieutenant 183 Rep 505 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18" Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E82 128i N52 [0.00]	Yeah, my 2 great worries, sun damage and salt damage. The salt I deal with by winter storage. For the sun, on clear days, it's a quality car cover at home and at work. Takes about 2 mins. on/off. On days where it might rain I just use a simple windshield cover to at least protect the dash. On a 6 yr. old car, interior looks like new.
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02-28-2016, 04:37 PM	#14
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Sun damage as others have said. Seems like if you live in a warm climate you get the hot sun most of the year. Another small advantage to living in the snow belt. Mine still look like new. __________________ Sparkling Graphite Metallic / 6MT / Terracotta Boston Leather / Sport Package / Comfort Access system / Gray Poplar wood trim / Heated front seats / iPod and USB adapter / HD radio / Premium hi-fi system / OE Tuning / VRSF Intercooler & charge pipe / BMW Performance short shift kit / BMW M Performance Handbrake Handle / BMW Stainless steel pedals / V1 hardwired / rear sun shades *Pennsylvania 20 electoral votes*
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02-29-2016, 01:46 PM	#15
6MT_Addict Captain 283 Rep 888 Posts Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	Pop the vents out, disassemble them, and hit the louvers with Acrylic Flat Black paint... $6 and an afternoon. __________________ 2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap \| Flat Black Grilles
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02-29-2016, 04:36 PM	#17
Esteban Major General 43568 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	No issues with my 2011, but my car never sits in the sun. Owned it since new and still looks like new. Of course I had to pay full price... __________________
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02-29-2016, 04:44 PM	#18
The Wind Breezes Lieutenant Colonel 912 Rep 1,850 Posts Drives: 135i N55 DCT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	That's cocaine. Common problem with BMWs.
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02-29-2016, 05:04 PM	#20
swagon Major General 13518 Rep 8,163 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	I don't have this issue thankfully. I have sprayed some plastic dressing on the dash a few times, though. I would clean the vents and apply a plastic restorer product. Just thinking out loud... couldn't it be a dirty cabin air filter or AC? __________________
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02-29-2016, 10:11 PM	#21
Gangplank Brigadier General 1541 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	Mine look like that. It's very uniform on all of them. I bought the car used and just figured that was how they look. Guess I might swap them out for some new ones eventually. __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R
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