I have noticed that the metal trims around the rear quarter windows look a little tarnished and I would like to polish them up a bit. What product can I safely use on this metalwork without damaging it?

 

Tape up the surrounding rubber and paintwork with some painter's tape.
Use some Meguiar's metal polish and polish away. It removes tarnishes and protects it after.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, I will look on the Internet and see where I can get some from.

 

If I am not mistaken doesn't the trim actually have some sort of clear coating or plastic coating on top too? can we still use the metal polish?

 

What does your owners manual recommend? If all else fails, read the instructions.

 

Could be wrong, worth checking, but, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that its actually a plastic with chrome coating, clear lacquered finish, not actual chrome!

 

Yes, that's what I remember reading too, thanks for reminding me.

 

Use it sparingly and it should be fine.

I use it previously on my Audi A6 and A8 and also my XF and now XJ all without a problem.

 

Being plastic coated I wonder if that is why it isnt as bright looking as I thought it should be then. Thanks all.

 

Actually, the rear window trim is aluminum. There is no protective coating on it. My XJL was purchased new in Florida and shipped to PA

. Had awful milky discoloration on the trim. Dealer stated it could not be polished out. I used Zaino cleaner/polish all in one. Non abrasive and safe for paint. Worked perfectly.

 

That is EXACTLY what mine looks like at the moment, the upper photograph. What a terrific change with a bit of polishing. I know what I will be looking to do over the weekend :-)

 

the milky coating is actually environmental chemical pollution. be careful to use 3m blue painters tape on the surrounding paint to protect from excess polishing and wearing of paint

 

I've been told by the Jag body shop that it's plastic too, and that metal polishes can damage the finish in addition to the elemental damage they show over time.
He may have been wrong...

I second that on any Zaino Brothers product.
It's the best and easiest to use line of polishes I've ever come across.
I use them on anything I need to polish or wax.

I didn't consider using it on that trim piece, but with your testimonial, I'll use it on there tomorrow, if I'm not out of their all-in-one. I think I have some of their Z-2 that would work too.

The all-in-one product they have isn't only safe for paint, it's made for paint.
Good stuff and easy to use.

 

When my dealer saw my trim, he claimed it could not be polished. In fact, they were going to order all new trim for $1500 . The bad part was the removal of door parts and glass with the possible damage to the paint in the process. I went home not wanting them to take apart a car with 16 miles on it plus the 3 days being in the shop. The zaino took hours, but it worked. The pictures show the proof. Not a metal polish, so it took longer to clean for that reason. At first it didn't seem to work, so I concentrated on an area the size of a quarter and then I saw the polished finish come to life. It is definitely not plastic chrome but pure metal. Use a soft cotton cloth towel to provide the strength needed for the tough elbow grease.

 

I noticed in the "before" photo that as well as the aluminum window trim, the plastic "C" pillar and body paint all have that milky appearance. Could that have been caused salt air deposits when in Florida? Great photos by the way!

 

Really nice looking automobile. I'm biased since mine is the same color red (Claret)

 

niceguy753, your car looks stunning in that first pic with the wheels turned left. What a thing of beauty to behold.

 

I agree, the lighting, the background, the car with its wheels tuned, and the angle and perspective of the camera to the car were perfect. niceguy 753 definitely knows a bit about photography.

 

Do you know if the same product can be use on the interior chrome trim. Mine has a lot of scratches on them and they are look very ugly in sunlight. Unfortunately I don't think I can find the product

in UK

 

I think the Zaino would help with the fine scratches. It is sold online only, so you would not have a problem purchasing it Here is the link.

https://www.zainostore.com/