Is there a way to remove this blemish without damaging the trim? I am wary of trying polish as it may damage the surface.
Bob

 

I was about to come here and ask the same question. All the chrome on my 2006 is amazing ... except the pieces you show in your photo. I've tried buffing, chrome polishes, even sanding and polishing ... nothing works. They still look as dull as they did before I started. I'd love to get them looking as good as the rest of the chrome on the car.

 

eventually that corner becomes really dull. it looks better that way honestly

 

This is a regular question on here, and frankly there is no answer, because the blemishes lie below a clear plastic coating over the metal. You can polish till the cows come home and it'll still be there, It was there on my last X350 and is present on my 2017 XE ! I didn't have it on my first X350 because these trims were black as the car was a 'Sport'

 

I wonder about priming them and painting them with "chrome" paint? There's some pretty decent stuff out there now that gives really good results (you have to paint black first). What would it take to be able to prime these for paint?

And since you mention a "clear plastic coating", is there a way to strip that off, polish, and then recoat with something to protect the finish?

It seems pretty crazy since all the other chrome looks so darned good.

 

I too am thinking of tackling the ugly aluminum. Besides the temporary fix of wiping with ATF after every wash there's been a few attempts from some members that seemed to work.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...on-fix-113548/

Or removing them and taking them to a polisher to remove the coating below.

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

 

Very interesting (first URL). Most replies saying "thanks will try it" and never getting back! DonB with some valued advice on certain aspects, some saying it's plastic coated, anodised, anyway...

If it's aluminum it is certainly anodised. If it has a plastic coating then it's micro-thin because I can't tell. In any case, yes scruffing will take off the protection layer, give a fine job, but then how long will it last?

Painting? Nah. Not unless you painted black and claimed a "black-pack". Otherwise it would surely look like you were covering a problem.

For any readers "contemplating buying", this might be a pointer that a "garaged car" (they all say that), might indeed have been garaged. Occasionally.

Dare I also suggest, that some of you have so many cosmetic issues, that you might like to consider selling and buying again. On The Other Hand, I always fret wicked every time I buy a second-hand car, all these scratches and dents it took me a week to notice. But after a month I forget where they are.
Problems with suspensions and engines are a benefit-they can help a lot! (to forget the cosmetics)
(I'm proud of my own car, but damned if I'm gonna tell you where to look)

 

Is it possible that the base material of the trim is in fact plastic? Then plated/coated with the "silver" coating and then clear coated? If that is the case I would be afraid of too much polishing and reveal the plastic colour. In any case as Silversurfer says he polished with no result.
Bob

 

Based on the other thread and my own inspection, I think it's anodised aluminium. I have no idea how it got so stained though. Anodised aluminium would be a bit less shiny than chrome.
-----
(aside)
Bob, your photo shows a misfit on the rear door. Didn't come like that from the factory. I was looking at mine and it appears there might be adjustment of the striker or latch, there appears to be nothing else to adjust "door too far in or out". Just sayin'
(at least check everything is tight or might possibly have moved)
-------
In my own case (age 69)
AGE AND TEACHERY<sp> WILL NEVER OVERCOME YOUTH AND SKILL !!!

 

[QUOTE=ChrisMills;2447102]Based on the other thread and my own inspection, I think it's anodised aluminium. I have no idea how it got so stained though. Anodised aluminium would be a bit less shiny than chrome.
-----
(aside)
Bob, your photo shows a misfit on the rear door. Didn't come like that from the factory. I was looking at mine and it appears there might be adjustment of the striker or latch, there appears to be nothing else to adjust "door too far in or out". Just sayin'
(at least check everything is tight or might possibly have moved)

Thanks Chris,
The door is aligned OK, the misalignment is just the trim itself. Not sure what i can do with that. It doesn't look as bad in real life as in the photo.
Bob

 

I was able to get mine shinny and clean, by using aluminum polish with a buffer at high speed, and taped off around the trim worked well. It is the combination of speed and heat from the friction that cleaned it up for me. I then used a UV coating to slow the rate of the oxidation.

 

Thanks Luke, and all the other respondent's. I will try the polishing and let you know the results.
Bob

 

I can't tell the base material by tapping mine. Just as well we have guinea pigs here! Thanks Luke.