The chrome banding that surrounds the side windows has become a little dull and stained. I did take the car to an automated car wash at one time. There are droplet marks on the chrome that don't seem to come off. Is there a chrome polish that you can recommend? Obviously the polish I bought, "Mother's Chrome Polish", didn't work. It wasn't the most expensive in the store but I didn't think there would be a difference. A friend of mine said I should take the car back to the dealer and have them replace the chrome.......... I'm surprised I haven't seen a thread on this, which means it's me and not the chrome. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

Jffcurt, I don't own a newer vehicle but our '05 S Type had a similiar problem. The "chrome" is actually clear anodized aluminum. Its a bear to get those spots off in the garage. Hopefully yours should be under warranty.

Here is a thread that I posted about the "chrome".

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ics-faq-29860/

 

My gawd I'm not quite the "handy man" you need to be to go through what you did. My car is still under warranty. Will Mother's Aluminum get it off rather than the chrome polish I have? Which didn't work. Has anybody else had this problem?????

 

I haven't seen this on my car, but I wash my own cars. Do you have pics of the spots?

When you tried metal polish, did the rag you used turn black? If it did, then the part is un-coated aluminum. If it did not, then there is a clear coat (paint) on top of the metal. That will help with the recommendation on the best product to use to try and remove the spots.

 

Not having that problem with mine. I've always had luck with Flitz metal polish, but like another geek said, if there is a clear coat on top of the metal, the polish won't help. Sounds like a warranty issue.

 

Hey, sorry to hear that mishap , I think it's a good idea to move your thread so that you can get more answers from resident tech guys

 

I had tried everything, Mothers Aluminum, the wadding stuff, even aircraft paint remover to even easy bake oven cleaner (I found that one on a metal polishing forum) nothing touched the anodizing.

Thats when I called the local metal polisher and the rest is my in my pocket! . Just alittle update it has been over a year and and half and I have Mothered the raw aluminum once and it shined right back to a mirror finish.

Good luck and lets us know how you make out.

 

Anodising is an electrolytic passivation 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 a terry weave towel and light / medium pressure

 

Thanks! I'll try it...

 

"This metal-polishing technology is a favorite in Germany and has just been made available in America by P21S. Once you try P21S Polishing Soap, you’ll never buy another metal polish.

Do not use on painted, anodized, or clear coated wheels."

This was on autogeek.net. Are anodized wheels different than the anodized trim around the windows???????

 

Thanks TOGWT got the P21S Polishing Soap today and it worked!!! Thanks again!

 

Glad you were able to find the right product for the application......good advice TOGWT

 

I just ordered some myself. I'll let everyone know my results also. This sure beats removing the trim!

 

I tried both P21S Polishing Soap and Flitz on my trim, which is chrome plastic. No difference at all........

 

I picked this up on another thread on this forum. I have a 2008 XJ8L and I guess this year and model are infamous for 'milky' chrome trim around the windows. The fix is applying a light coat of automatic transmission fluid to the chrome trim and lightly wipe off the excess. Don't ask me why it works, but it restores the shiny appearance to the trim. The disadvantage is that it will wash off after a few weeks and must be reapplied. But all things considered, it is a low cost fix that only requires a few minutes a month to maintain.

 

I have the same year/model as you do. Is your trim the plastic chrome like the front grille?

 

Yes, it appears to be plastic with a chrome coating applied. I purchased the vehicle this past July and it also has a scratch on one of the read door handles and that appears to be the same construction - plastic with a chrome coating applied.

 

Simply waxing the blotchy window trim on our 2005 S-Type restores the look to new again, albeit temporarily. Just did it again yesterday when I washed and waxed the entire car. During autumn and winter, the trim looks good for 4 to 6 weeks after waxing. During spring and summer, 3 to 4 weeks at best. So it seems to last longer in cold weather....

 

I had the same issue on my car's trim and I tried everything I could do without any long lasting results.

Then I found this:

How to Restore Oxidized Aluminum with Classic TrimCoat Deoxidizers

And man! THIS STUFF WORKS and my trim looks brand new.. Did it about 6 months ago and never had to touch it again except use light spray wax after a wash one a month or so...

Hope it helps.

Thanks,
Rizwan

 

Just be certain that the trim is in fact ALUMINUM before you do anything! Not all Jaguar models use aluminum, it appears the later models use the plastic witht the chrome coating. Better safe than sorry.

Maybe Dave from Innovative Detailing can offer a suggestion for dealing witht the plastic with the chrome coating?