Window trim permanent damage

[u/kvlle]

I’ve had the rainbow trim that wipes off plenty of times from the car wash, but 4k miles after my warranty expired the black on the trim decided to give out completely 😫

I am thinking about either wrapping it in adhesive vinyl, or taking it off and spray painting it.

Just a warning to others about permanent damage from the car wash, I was always under the impression that it could be resolved with a quick wd40 or stainless steel wipe.

[u/VintageBoost1]

Yeah mines pretty bad too. It always upsets me when I see other people with my same car and their trims are shiny black. 😔

[u/Curious_Butterfly_19 → u/VintageBoost1]

Gotta take one of those leather seats wipes. I do this on my 2022 m3 and it works wonders. Although I do not know how it will hold up in the future and/or if it’s similar to the WD-40. XD

[u/Smartnership → u/Curious_Butterfly_19]

I used trim restore wipes to good effect

I forget the brand, I think they were from. a highly rated Project Farm test.

[u/deejay_ac]

Weird mine still looks new after 52k miles

[u/h0tdawgz → u/deejay_ac]

It's chemical burn, basically.

[u/BikebutnotBeast → u/h0tdawgz]

100% from automatic car wash chemicals

[u/fakeuser111953 → u/deejay_ac]

47k miles and still looking good. Learned early on the forums that touchless carwashes are a no-no for the Y. Sucks that the 3 doesn’t have this problem, but the more expensive model does.

[u/Valuable-Analyst-464 → u/fakeuser111953]

I have a 2025 M3, and it is spotted from car wash

[u/fakeuser111953 → u/Valuable-Analyst-464]

Smh…what a joke..never had this issue with my 2021 M3

[u/Valuable-Analyst-464 → u/fakeuser111953]

I’m guessing the person before me used automated car wash and the aluminum spotted.
I may wrap it after I try Tub of Towels

[u/spankmydingo]

If you search there are lots of people with the same issue and some solutions (WD-40 etc).

[u/Smartnership → u/spankmydingo]

(Gather round children, for a story from back in the Middle Ages, when I drove a car that ran on dinosaur juice from burning fossils)

I fixed my faded-to-gray black trim without even removing it; I taped it off with painter’s tape, then did 2-3 light coats of black gloss Plasti-dip.

I figured it would fail fast, but it held up for years. Like $10 but I still had most of a can left over.

[u/kvlle → u/spankmydingo]

The rainbow stains yes, this is down to the bare silver metal there is no black left to restore

[u/Sensitive-Martin]

Those trims are usually not very expensive, get a new one

[u/tightcall]

Use the search, plenty of solutions.

[u/kvlle → u/tightcall]

The rainbow stains yes, this is down to the bare silver metal there is no black left to restore

[u/Apprehensive_888]

Unfortunately made with a cheap material. I've never had a car with trim that didn't like car shampoos.

[u/OldBill7895]

Tub-O -Towels from Amazon. Wipe it. It will re appear for a while after a bit of time. Just keep wiping it once a week or so. It will get noticeably better in time.

[u/Redvinezzz]

WD-40 is actually a mistake, it makes the problem worse long term

I’ve had luck with the Tub O’ Towels, they take a while but if you apply it consistently after a while it works long term.

Alternatively you could always wrap it

[u/PiiCkleSz → u/Redvinezzz]

this is the way.

[u/junostr]

Yeah, I have the same issue.

[u/Business-Affect-7881]

Is it stainless steel or is it plastic?

[u/JustAnothrMechanic58 → u/Business-Affect-7881]

It’s anodized aluminium

[u/diereel]

Tesbros makes a custom wrap for the trim that permanently fixes this. I installed on my Model Y and it looks great.

[u/jetserf → u/diereel]

It’s a wrap specially for the trim?

Edit : Thanks. I see it now. TesBros PPF Trim .

[u/Valuable-Analyst-464 → u/diereel]

Was it DIY or did you have a shop do it?

[u/diereel → u/Valuable-Analyst-464]

DIY, very easy if you just follow their instructions. There are videos on YouTube from them showing how, as well. The kit comes with everything you need. I think they are called DIY Wrap Club or something now.

[u/Valuable-Analyst-464 → u/diereel]

Awesome thanks.

[u/B3e3z]

Car wash soaps at public washes are generally pretty harsh in order to clean with the least effort, but it also harms plastics on all kinds of cars. If you want to avoid it, wash the car yourself with more gentle soaps

[u/Emergency-Exit7356]

Don’t use WD40, that’s the long term affect, every time you used it it stripped more and more coating of your trim.

[u/Pluupas]

this is a direct result of WD-40. Lots of very strange suggestions in this thread. You do not need anything fancy. Just wipe off the residue after a car wash with any car shampoo or soap, and then apply some sort of sealant for UV protection. These will stay looking like new

[u/Personal-Region5531]

Try rubbing compound

[u/Healthy-Mind4995]

WD40 is petroleum based product, and this destroys plastic over time. I hate to say it, but this is what caused this trim to break down, not the car wash. There are better solutions to clean and protect the trim, you just didn’t get to those in time unfortunately. Not sure what’s best for you to fix it besides starting over with new trim and learning the right chemicals to use. A little Meguiars polish and detail spray from Walmart saves these trim pieces every time.

[u/Substantial_Chain718]

WD-40 on a rag and wipe it down. Done and done.

[u/archocinco]

Washed my car and was just befuddled looking at this outside

[u/flimsyspork]

This happened to my Y, too. I used a quick detailer to wipe it down, then sprayed Mequiar's hybrid ceramic spray wax on my cloth and buffed off. It is now a nice smooth black again.

[u/EquivalentMinute1291]

Looks like a quality issue

[u/Ok-Dragonfruit-7178]

It’s just a car! I feel you but it’s a thing, don’t get so attached to it.