tjet Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Anyone esle have those (what look like) water stains on the aluminium windscreen pillars on their cab? From a distance, they look like stone chips, but on closer examination, they actually look more like stains in the aluminium and not stone chips at all. If you wet them, they seems to go, until dry again. The surface is totally smoth to the touch. I have seen another car with them. Anyone know what this is / what the cause is (guess it's rain) and if there's a solution for removing the marks plus any protective treatment to stop re-occurence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 I think these are plastic not metal. I think I read somewhere that its screenwash that discolours the trim. I have this problem too. not sure it can be fixed other than new trim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 It will be the screenwash corroding the aluminium. I had my alu trim strips replaced under warranty for the same problem. Suggest some Meguiars metal polish and NOT using Audi screenwash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjet Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Did you have any difficulty getting them replaced? The dealers usually say ah yes, that's rain staining - sorry pal, warranty doesn't cover that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Try some light polish or finishing compound, then a good wax on top. I've kept my S4 mirror cases like new for over two years now. Sometimes they might get a minor stain but a light polish and wax gets them looking 100% again. BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmicblue Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Anyone esle have those (what look like) water stains on the aluminium windscreen pillars on their cab? From a distance, they look like stone chips, but on closer examination, they actually look more like stains in the aluminium and not stone chips at all. If you wet them, they seems to go, until dry again. The surface is totally smoth to the touch. I have seen another car with them. Anyone know what this is / what the cause is (guess it's rain) and if there's a solution for removing the marks plus any protective treatment to stop re-occurence? [/ QUOTE ] I had this problem with my Cab when I collected it from Exeter Audi in November. Not only were the A pillar trims (windscreen frame) damaged but also the U shaped trim that the base of the hood sits on - from rear 1/4 lights backwards. The marks were attributed to the road-film remover that the dealers use to wash the cars and especially the wheels being left on too long. The film remover is mildly acidic - my local dealer (Listers) refused to do it under Warranty so I had a nice 340mile round trip back to Exeter - twice. Grrrrrr The trims are brushed metal with a thick covering of lacquer and this is a known problem. If the etching isn't too deep you can polish it out with Sovol-autosol metal cleaner, if the acid has made it as far as the metal then replacement is the only option (or so I was told by Listers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjet Posted January 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 (Prior to posting) I'd tried waxing over with Mer - with no joy. I don't currently have any metal polish. Listers audi was the very same dealership (COventry) that refused to do an almost identical issue on my A8 D3, I was so p@ssed. They said warranty doesn't cover "Acid Rain" marks. I would love to know if they where technically qualified to have made that statement. The issue in that case was the the plastic coated chrome strip surrounding the rear (what I call) quarter windows - you know the ones behind the rear doors. Anyway, they point blank refused to do it, I always meant to escalate it to Audi Cust. Service but I never did. I'll see if I can lay my hands on the Meg. metal polish then and try a small area. I have to say, I think the policy on this (assuming there is a policy and it's not just that dealer being overly -ve) that on a car that's a ittle over 12 months old, for such a noticable cosmetic problem - is rediculous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 I got the tech from Bedford Audi to admit it was the screenwash - after I told them I was a chemist! In fact, they had a a lot of warranty claims for this issue.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgough Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 scrap all above....... use some auto glym spray, tyre shine. its a white water spray and if you spray loads on when it drys its a very light polish, use it on my avant rails and mirrors and gives them a nice coating after wards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Personally I use Megs on my alu trim - just the normal 1,2,3. And pinnacle souveran on top! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjet Posted January 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Kris & Uber - struggling to undertand those 2 posts?? Sorry am I thick? (er, YES I hear you cry!) Kris - are you saying spray some Auto Glym tyre shine spray on them and the marks will be removed once dried & wiped off? Uber - what's Megs & 1,2,3? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjet Posted January 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 RESULT!! Meguiars worked a treat! I haven't managed to do both sides yet but from the small section I did on the passenger side, I'm inpressed - as the marks have vanished. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the911sc Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 dont be fooled. There is a known problem with these trims under certain circumstances. My S4 had tarnished trims, all changed under warranty. Now my Brand new RS4 has tarnished trims also... I am told especially A8's suffer from this and the tarnishing is all around the car. I suspect the chemicals used in the PDI process for de waxing the car. No polish of any sort will get this off when they are damaged. I have seen mild discolouration on some which goes when you use bumper gell or similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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