I have tried doing a search, but couldn't find any pictures to compare my chrome damage to others. These pictures are from my Audi and they happened last winter. I was working on the roof of the car and forgot that I had a jacket with a zipper on it. It really messed up the chrome trim around the window. Any suggestions on removing these? Does it need to be replaced? I have Mother's Chrome Polish, but I haven't had any results with it yet. Thanks.
Possible to remove these chrome scratches?
- Thread starter dstn8r
- Start date
Accumulator
Well-known member
Sorry to hear about the damage to your trim! Your pics are good at showing what happened. Also sorry to be the bearer of bad news :sosad
*I* am not sure you can fix it, at least to the extent you'd like. By all means TRY the chrome polish (I predict it'll be too mild) and or something more aggressive. Maybe try metal-buffing paste on a felt buff with a Dremel. But it's (probably) always gonna show; to some extent you're just SOL.
R&Ring those is NOT a do-it-yourself job! It's VERY tough for an experienced Audi shop to do it right. *I* would live with the damage (I had a flawless-waxed undercarriage- '95.5 S6 wagon and others of that vintage, so I have a sympathetic perspective). You may very well open a can of worms that will lead to worse problems than you have now.
BUT, if it's gonna cost you show wins or something, find an Audi SPECIALIST, a shop that's done these and has references. I don't know of any in your area. In Ohio, I'd take it to Stoddard Imported Cars.
*I* am not sure you can fix it, at least to the extent you'd like. By all means TRY the chrome polish (I predict it'll be too mild) and or something more aggressive. Maybe try metal-buffing paste on a felt buff with a Dremel. But it's (probably) always gonna show; to some extent you're just SOL.
R&Ring those is NOT a do-it-yourself job! It's VERY tough for an experienced Audi shop to do it right. *I* would live with the damage (I had a flawless-waxed undercarriage- '95.5 S6 wagon and others of that vintage, so I have a sympathetic perspective). You may very well open a can of worms that will lead to worse problems than you have now.
BUT, if it's gonna cost you show wins or something, find an Audi SPECIALIST, a shop that's done these and has references. I don't know of any in your area. In Ohio, I'd take it to Stoddard Imported Cars.
Thanks for the response. I really wanted to get this car into show winning condition and even though I haven't had a chance to take it to any shows, I worry that the chrome may be an issue with the judges. I can't believe I caused the damage in the first place! :angry I tried the Mother's with a dremel and felt pad last night, but honestly I think it made it worse. It seems to sharpen the edges of the scratches to make them visible at more angles. I guess I'll look into shops around here. Lexington, KY is not an Audi hot-spot (another reason for not going to any shows) and there is a Motorsport shop that does mostly BMWs that I might try. Thanks for the info and anyone else's tips would be welcome as well!
Accumulator
Well-known member
Well, sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe consider accepting all the hassles involved with taking it to a GOOD Audi shop. Unless they've taken THAT strip off of THAT car, they're gonna botch it up. Guaranteed (it's really on there and the underlying surface is painted). And that will lead to rust out (under the strip). Good luck!
imported_phareous
New member
I had the same thing happen to my honda...the trim got scratched up. To be honest I just went ahead and ordered some new trim..it was like $30 for the entire side. From the book it looks pretty easy to apply (just some clips hold it on).
I did try polish and it helped but the scratches were too deep. You could try P21S Finish Restorer with a microfiber and very light pressure. There is also Simichrome polish and Blue Magic...I bought both of those but have not tried them.
I did try polish and it helped but the scratches were too deep. You could try P21S Finish Restorer with a microfiber and very light pressure. There is also Simichrome polish and Blue Magic...I bought both of those but have not tried them.
forrest@mothers
Serious no BS kinda guy
That appears to be anodized (probably) aluminum to me, not chrome plated steel.
I'd vote for replacing the strips. You're not going to be able to polish out an anodized strip.
I'd vote for replacing the strips. You're not going to be able to polish out an anodized strip.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Forrest- Yeah, I thought of that but couldn't remember for sure. Audi uses a lot of aluminum trim. So I called the guys at Stoddard.
netsatwork- When in doubt, ask the experts (in this case Jeff Stalker at Stoddard's body shop). According to Jeff:
The trim in question is polished aluminum (I would've thought it was either stainless steel or, if aluminum, clear anodized, but that's what he said). Replacement is tricky, as it's *riveted* on. The recommendation was to polish it ("with a compound") as well as possible. He says that if you want to replace it, go to a Audi Dealer bodyshop, don't trust an independent (and it's not like he always says this, he's a no-BS kind of guy) as it takes experience with this particular job to get it right.
Anyhow, that's what *HE* said.
netsatwork- When in doubt, ask the experts (in this case Jeff Stalker at Stoddard's body shop). According to Jeff:
The trim in question is polished aluminum (I would've thought it was either stainless steel or, if aluminum, clear anodized, but that's what he said). Replacement is tricky, as it's *riveted* on. The recommendation was to polish it ("with a compound") as well as possible. He says that if you want to replace it, go to a Audi Dealer bodyshop, don't trust an independent (and it's not like he always says this, he's a no-BS kind of guy) as it takes experience with this particular job to get it right.
Anyhow, that's what *HE* said.
imported_phareous
New member
Ack well if you wanted to verify you could get the service manual for your car. That seems strange to be riveted on but if thats what it is then that is what it is. Seems overkill to me since Honda and some others just use plastic clips (and maybe foam adhesive...can't remember)
GoodnClean
New member
Thats the difference between Japanese and German cars...
Even the lowliest Volkswagen is riveted together like a vault. Pain in the *** in situations like this.
Even the lowliest Volkswagen is riveted together like a vault. Pain in the *** in situations like this.
Wow, thanks for going the extra mile, Accumulator! Seeing as how I don't know or trust anyone in Lexington to help with this problem, how far from Lexington do you think Stoddard's is? Was Jeff's recommendation for a dealership suggested as opposed to him or for me to look for a dealer in my area? The only dealer I know of is in Louisville, and I know nothing about them. I am about an hour from Cincy. Thoughts on how far the drive is? I only have 36,000 on my '96 and I don't want a huge road trip, but it would be worth it to get the job done right. I also have a bumper paint issue, so perhaps they have the facilities to look at that too. Thanks again.
Geez...It definitely isn't an easy replacement. Here's the info from my manual:
Roof trim molding , assembly
1 - Seal
Always replace
2 - Roof trim molding
Remove side window page 64-24
Remove B-pillar trim page 66-4
Pry drip rail molding out of roof molding Fig. 1
Drill out rivet heads and drill out rivets
3 - Pop rivets
4 - Drip rail molding
Removing Fig. 1
5 - Packing
6 - Clip
Press roof molding into clips when installing
Wow. Looks like I'm going to Ohio! No telling how much my jacket mistake is going to cost!
PS: How can I get these photos from Autopia's gallery to show in the post? I tried the IMG button using enhanced mode, but no luck. Am I using the wrong link? Thanks.
Roof trim molding , assembly
1 - Seal
Always replace
2 - Roof trim molding
Remove side window page 64-24
Remove B-pillar trim page 66-4
Pry drip rail molding out of roof molding Fig. 1
Drill out rivet heads and drill out rivets
3 - Pop rivets
4 - Drip rail molding
Removing Fig. 1
5 - Packing
6 - Clip
Press roof molding into clips when installing
Wow. Looks like I'm going to Ohio! No telling how much my jacket mistake is going to cost!
PS: How can I get these photos from Autopia's gallery to show in the post? I tried the IMG button using enhanced mode, but no luck. Am I using the wrong link? Thanks.
imported_phareous
New member
I just used the IMG button :nixweiss
Accumulator
Well-known member
netsatwork said:
Glad to help. With all the recent posts about dealers/shops messing up people's cars I'm truly GLAD to patronize and recommend Stoddard.
UNFORTUNATELY, you WOULD be looking at a major roadtrip. They are up in the north part of the state. Look on a map/in an atlas for WILLOUGHBY, Ohio. Up near Cleveland. Figure from where you are to Cincy, then Cincy to Cleveland. BIG hassle, huh? But maybe worth it. If *I* were you, I'd set it up by phone, drive it up there, have them do the trim strip and the bumper cover. Painting plastic bumper covers silver seldom turns out PERFECT, but they're pretty good; I let them paint MY cars. Guys send their 356's to them from GERMANY...if that tells you anything. Rent a car (one-way rental) and drive home. When it's done, rent again to drive back. While it's there, *I'D* have Gene Divney (he's one of a kind, one of the primary reasons we drive Audis) and his folks in the service dept. give it a good going over. Yes, they ARE that much better than the "usual" Audi dealer.
If you decide to do this, PM me and I'll make some calls for you. Most everyone at Stoddard knows me (and appreciates my patronage), from the owner to the lot jockeys. I'm not saying they wouldn't treat EVERY customer wonderfully, but you know...