[Denalio]

I have staining/oxidation build up on my aluminum running boards. As you can see they have rubber grommets. How would you polish these and what would you use, product and tools? Really don't want to do them by hand. I have done it and it is time consuming. I have used Flitz in the past by hand, but the oxidzation comes back.
Thanks.

[NCZ13]

can the piece be seperated from the rubber?

[Denalio]

No. The inserts are glued in. I tried that.

[Peugeot]

That's a perfect example of a horendous design. Rubber pieces glued in!

I'm assuming this is your personal ride?

I'd look to both a factory replacement (before I installed them, I'd put down a dozen coats of clear on them. But the rubber nubiles make that kind of difficult. If you buy new, the problem will probably creep back.

Another option is aftermarket.

That piece should have never made it to the floor!

[Denalio]

Yes it is a problem with most new BMW X5's. I may try to get the dealer to replace. So far no one on any of the forums has been successful on dealer replacing.

[DetailingForever]

If it were my personal ride...I'd replace them with aftermarket and forget about it. Thats a terrible design. About the only thing you could try on that is an aluminum acid wash or aluminum brightener. Spray on rinse off.It will look better but never look good. Most likely it will give the aluminum a milky white look/stain.

[POPPAJ]

How about coating them with bedliner roll-on or spray??

[Denalio]

Well the other problem is there are no aftermarket fitment for this vehicle. Also the boards are designed into the body at the factory level. Even using aftermarket just would not look right.

[Al-53]

ok..I have done aluminum fuel tanks on trucks looking like your running boards..I used Duragloss AC (Aluminum Cleaner & Brightner) and it worked good....it may work on the running boards...worth a shot....try a carquest near you to see if they can get it for you..its about 7.50 a bottle.......

Duragloss AC (Aluminum Wheel Cleaner) is a blend selected acids and surfactants that easily removes brake dust, oil and road film from dull and semi-dull aluminum wheels. Can also be used on other aluminum surfaces such as pontoon boats, tankers, etc.

it does clean aluminum pretty good.....will not harm the rubber....

AL

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by Al-53

ok..I have done aluminum fuel tanks on trucks looking like your running boards..I used Duragloss AC (Aluminum Cleaner & Brightner) and it worked good....it may work on the running boards...worth a shot....try a carquest near you to see if they can get it for you..its about 7.50 a bottle.......

Duragloss AC (Aluminum Wheel Cleaner) is a blend selected acids and surfactants that easily removes brake dust, oil and road film from dull and semi-dull aluminum wheels. Can also be used on other aluminum surfaces such as pontoon boats, tankers, etc.

it does clean aluminum pretty good.....will not harm the rubber....

AL

Thanks Al,

Will it hurt plastic trim?