I have just picked up a two year old F-type and I cannot clean the tread plates. They have milky calcium water spots all over them.. Would they get replaced under warranty or is there something I can use to clean them away? I have tried white wine vinegar and washed down after 5 minutes which seems to have made a small impact - see the two photographs of before and after.

 

looks like hard water stains from not being wiped down after washing. i would try to polish them out.

 

Yeah,
I bought the car from the other end of the UK from me - I've not experienced this before as I live in a soft water area. I did not want to take anything too abrasive to the plate so tried the mild acid of white wine vinegar. Does anyone know if the plates are lacquered or is it just straight metal in which case I could try autosol or similar.

 

Try some vinegar and water mixed together and then buff it with a towel.

 

Tried the Vinegar. I just came across an 'old wives tale' for cleaning hard water spots from bathroom chrome (TOOTHEPASTE) So I gave it a go. The vinegar made about a 10% improvement. The toothpaste has made a 80% improvement.
I think if I use the toothpaste again each week over the next month or so it will eventually clear it off.

 

Salt water will cause that kind of surface oxidation on aluminum. Was it anywhere near the coast?

 

Try some of this on one of the spots. Amazing stuff.
CRS

 

Quite the opposite. The car had been in land - I live near the coast. I think its Hard Water from tap water washing - i.e. calcium deposits

 

Mine cleaned up like new with metal polish but they are not the most durable pieces so restraint is in order. They are pretty flimsy pieces.

At least you have the non illuminated ones that don't draw so much attention to them.