Irridescence in my trim!

[pyreguy]

How do I get rid of this?
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae342/pyreguy/ZHP/DSC00263.jpg

[az3579]

I have that problem as well and would love to know how to eradicate this iridescent vermin.

[Johnmadd]

Me too. Has that water and oil mixture look.

[Rovert]

Claybar!!

[ryankokesh]

Magic eraser? I'd try the claybar first prolly...

[mimalmo]

claybar works.

[M0nk3y]

Claybar. PLEASE do not use magic eraser on your car.

[Rovert]

I did a quick rub of a Magic Eraser on my car and within a second it magically erased some of my clearcoat. Luckily a professional detailer was 3 feet away and error corrected my "magic buffing" with his equipment.

[az3579]

Claybar. PLEASE do not use magic eraser on your car.

I heard magic eraser works wonders on the Alcantara though...

[danewilson77]

Claybar. PLEASE do not use magic eraser on your car.

80 grit sandpaper perhaps? Lol.....

[MasterC17]

Never thought of trying to clay it, I have to do this sometime. I've also heard the magic eraser works good on Alcantara I think.

[jjcools]

I will have to give that a try, I have the same stuff on my trim.

[az3579]

Never thought of trying to clay it, I have to do this sometime. I've also heard the magic eraser works good on Alcantara I think.

My friend has been using it on his alcantara interior of his S4 when he had it and it worked wonders.
I personally have no idea what a Magic Eraser really is. I bought one but never opened the box.

[danewilson77]

So....when you say "magic eraser on the alcantara"....you mean on the fuzzy stuff. Just want to make sure. How does that clean it?

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[kayger12]

From the Alcantara wheel cleaning DIY

When I bought my car 18 months ago, it had a very oily, nasty looking thing on it that I steered the car with. :blink Disgusting.

So I went at it with some tips I found on the net and decided I'll post a semi-competent DIY for restoring the ZHPs smexy Alcantara steering wheel. Sorry I did not take pictures while I did this, it was a while ago.

Materials:

- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (Original version only)
- Damp bath towel(s)
- Suede/Alcantara shoe cleaner (optional)
- Lint Remover (optional) (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574947307&toolid=10001&campid=5336776893&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FFabric-Sweater-Clothes-Lint-Remover-Fuzz-Pill-shaver-Pk-%2F260673370075%3Fpt%3DLH_DefaultDomain_0%26hash%3 Ditem3cb157f7db%23ht_1466wt_1027)


Before:

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/176/p1020817y.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9471/p1020818.jpg

1. Survey your steering wheel. Mine was very, very oily but the fabric itself was not deteriorating (on first glance it looked like it was). If your fabric is deteriorating, it may be best to not do this DIY.

2. With warm tap water, get your bath towel damp, and wring it out. Using almost no pressure; wipe the steering wheel. I preferred to go in a circle following the wheel. This should get the heaviest, grossest stuff off.

*3. Spray with Alcantara cleaner, let it foam, then use the included little plastic brush to rub the Alcantara in a circular fashion (again following the steering wheel). This will cause raised nubs of Alcanatara to form, so wipe very lightly, and pay attention to your fabric while you are in progress.

*4. Use the lint remover to buzz off and catch the little nubs you made with the Alcantara cleaner. You can also use a blade if you are very careful.

5. Use the Magic Eraser- dampened as per the directions, and again rub the steering wheel in a circular motion, with little to no pressure. Go back and forth on the areas near the buttons, trim, etc. When the wheel is dark grey and satisfactory looking, let it sit for 1-2 hours before driving it, wet Alcantara is very fragile.
.

[2M Auto Body]

80 grit sandpaper perhaps? Lol.....:rofl

[Oli77]

Do all Alcantara wheels look like this eventually? Cause that one Kayger posted above looks kinda gross (can't tell if there is an after picture or 2 before pictures).

I'd put a leatherskins on that in a jiffy.

[kayger12]

Sorry-- should've posted up the afters



After:

Still slightly damp:

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6636/p1020834y.jpg

~One year later
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8938/p1040869x.jpg

What it looked like when I sold it- hadn't been wiped down for ~20k miles.

http://a.imageshack.us/img291/4424/p1050355b.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img137/332/p1050356fk.jpg

I recommend doing just the wet rag every 10k or so miles, or when you see a slight oily base starting to form again.

[Oli77]

Thanks for the after pics, for a little while there, I though I was going to puke in my mouth a little cause letta mea tella ya, those before pics are gross.

Do a Rosane Rosanadana on that one: "Its just like my father used to say, Rosane, you got a little piece of toilet paper stuck to your shoe".

Non?

[Mtnman]

Yes, Do NOT use magic eraser on parts that are supposed to be shiny. It will take the sheen off of them. I hit my upper door interior with it in one spot, and it is now "dull". BUT i did use it on steering wheel. See Alcantra steering wheel DIY for before and after pics. But Magic eraser is like a very high grit (well technically the grit is low, but high numbered... i would think it would come in at 600 grit or something) it is smooth to the touch, but will dull a sheen quickly.

[Cadeez]

Yes, Do NOT use magic eraser on parts that are supposed to be shiny. It will take the sheen off of them. I hit my upper door interior with it in one spot, and it is now "dull". BUT i did use it on steering wheel. See Alcantra steering wheel DIY for before and after pics. But Magic eraser is like a very high grit (well technically the grit is low, but high numbered... i would think it would come in at 600 grit or something) it is smooth to the touch, but will dull a sheen quickly.

Exactly what it does! I actually use ME's all the time on the int of my car, a little trick I carried over from the E36 M3 forum when I had mine. I use it on the steering wheel (horn button) door panels, center arm rest, etc... Even used it on the seats a couple times, took the dirt right off the dove grey. Anything that was matte when the car was new, but now is shiny from your dirty mittens, Magic Erasers turn that right around. Never on the exterior though, that's a big no no.

And just FYI, Magic Eraser is the BEST leather shoe cleaner in the world! I use it on all my sneaks, not for dress shoes though, for obvious reasons. Good for the rubber toes and white outer soles of Chuck Taylors as well...

[pyreguy]

My clay bar and friction reducer in en route to me as you read this. My iridescence will be but a distant memory before too long...


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[Washburn]

Please post some before/after pics, that would be great.

[pyreguy]

Will do. I already have before pics. When I get around to doing this, I will be sure to get some good after shots.


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[Johnmadd]

I did it today with great results, but I think I should have used less lube and will do it again to get it to perfect. The results though after one time are amazing. Sorry no pics at this time but the befores look like Lance's. It works though if anyone is scared to try.

[nike001]

Wow. Definitely doing the magic eraser on my wheel!

[Kudos]

Where can i purchase this magic eraser? i haven't seen any at stores.

[danewilson77]

They don't have at Walmart or somethiing like that?

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[nike001]

Where can i purchase this magic eraser? i haven't seen any at stores.

They should have them pretty much everywhere? Laundry asile ftw?

[Washburn]

Walmart cleaners section has it

[pyreguy]

This is a transcript of BMW technical bulletin S.I. B 51 53 02 from September 2006


This Service Information Bulletin supersedes S.I. B 51 53 02 dated October 2002

Subject
Discoloration of Shadowline Trim

Model
E34, E46, E60, E61, E64, E65, E66, E83, E53 Equipped with Shadowline exterior trim

Situation
The optional glossy black Shadowline exterior trim may become discolored.

Cause
Analysis has determined that the discoloration is due to a film deposited on the trim which distorts the light reflecting off the trim. These deposits may come from car washes, hard water, or other environmental conditions.

Correction
Deposits that cause the discoloration can easily be removed by polishing with a quality swirl removing polish, such as Meguiars #9.

Note: The glossy black trim pieces are anodized, not painted, and the discoloration does not mean that the surface has been damaged. Therefore, the trim pieces should not be replaced for this complaint.

[Washburn]

That's VERY important and relieving piece of info - Thanks!
although the list doesn't include E46, I am sure it's relevant to them too...

if Meg's #9 can do it, I am sure a bit of Klasse AIO should be able to do it, too...as it has good cleaning properties.

[C Withers Media]

Save all that money and use peanut butter.

[kayger12]

Great info, Lance.

Thanks for posting.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Save all that money and use peanut butter.

Creamy, of course. I may also throw in some jelly.

Thanks, cw.

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[pyreguy]

That's VERY important and relieving piece of info - Thanks!
although the list doesn't include E46, I am sure it's relevant to them too...

if Meg's #9 can do it, I am sure a bit of Klasse AIO should be able to do it, too...as it has good cleaning properties.

Sorry about that... E46 was supposed to be the second one listed, but I accidentally left it out.


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[C Withers Media]

Creamy, of course. I may also throw in some jelly.

Thanks, cw.

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I actually wasn't joking here, the natural oils in the peanut butter do wonderful amazing things to our trim.

[danewilson77]

I actually wasn't joking here, the natural oils in the peanut butter do wonderful amazing things to our trim.

I have heard the same as well. Never tried it though.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[pyreguy]

I actually wasn't joking here, the natural oils in the peanut butter do wonderful amazing things to our trim.

The butter knife won't scratch the finish? :biggrin


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[danewilson77]

Why you............why I outta..........you sonufa.........

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[nk_zhp]

OP, I have the same problem. My lower trim on the doors was really getting bad, so I replaced them with the non-glossy black version because the gloss is just too much money. I know this is one of the ZHP specific features but I like the dull black look.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

We still love you, Norik.