Beware dark chrome issues

[Sundra]

When I got my GV70 in February 2022 it arrived in Texas from a California dealer with the dark chrome looking water spotted. Drove me nuts every time I washed it…or walked by it… I reported it to my TX dealer right away and first was told there is a polish or treatment they would have to order to use on it. Took a month or two to get the stuff, took it in and it didn’t work. Eventually they said they’d replace it. First time they got regular chrome instead of dark. Wait again, some of it comes in soon but it took a long time to get all the pieces. Finally all the dark chrome pieces came in and I took the car in to have it replaced. Got it back and one of the back triangle trim pieces wasn’t the same color as the rest (photo posted). It was lighter, but not quite regular chrome lightness. It definitely didn’t match the rest but it was hard to capture it with photos and it took awhile to get “approval“ to replace it again, and they apparently weren’t sure they were ordering the right part number. Finally got it all replaced and it looked good in about June of 2023. Now a few months later (October 2023) it looks water spotted again. The photos posted here were just taken today.
I only hand wash and dry with chamois and microfiber towels. I keep it in the garage except at work and have washed it weekly most of the time I’ve had it. No, I don’t dry it if it rains but I do have another vehicle to drive if it’s clean on a rainy day. This summer (most of the time since the chrome got replaced) it hardly rained (not a drop in August) and we weren’t allowed to wash cars at home due to water restrictions so I don’t really think it’s truly water spotted. I think it’s defective chrome that “crazes” which is a term we use for when eyeglass lens coatings come off or get crackly. When it originally came in looking bad, there was some kind of story/rumor that the cars were stored near a railroad yard and the magnetized metal from the tracks somehow adhered to the chrome on the vehicles. Guess that theory is blown since my new chrome looks the same a few months later and I’m nowhere near a railroad.

 

[Phastroh]

I am on my 3rd set however this set has lasted longer than the previous 2. It is a 2020 and when I got it, I noticed it and thought it was just glue at night.

As far as wrapping it I know lots have but the front grill some places refuse to wrap it. I painted mine flay black and it gets tons of compliments.

I replaced the front bumper pieces with Carbon Fiber(Real) and in the rear I still have the tiny chromes but they have no issues.

I was close to doing my windows but it is like the only place it looks good with regards to its color and how is separates the grays and Carbon Fiber.

In general I have never seen anyone with issues except on the side pieces. It is a mystery lol I hope mine never fails again but when I bought it after the lease I got an 8 year warranty. It is just a effing hassle even if it is free.

 

[jchrisrod]

My issues only seem to be around the doors, I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow. The dark chrome is gorgeous on the grill and side door pieces, I'm hoping to keep those as is. 2nd week with this car and I freaking love it.

 

[astroshotit]

Has anyone tried straight up removing the dark chrome wrap? My rear door dark chrome trip straight up looks bronze now compared to the front door, and the wrap on my drivers door handle is straight up bubbling and peeling up at this point. I am second owner at 85k miles so I don’t think I am eligible anymore for the warranty, would have to do this myself.

I think best case for me, i would love to get these pieces wrapped with satin black vinyl, but I have concerns around putting vinyl on these pieces where the chrome is bubbling and peeling.

If anyone’s had it straight up removed, would love to hear from you.

 

[blnewto]

Has anyone tried straight up removing the dark chrome wrap? My rear door dark chrome trip straight up looks bronze now compared to the front door, and the wrap on my drivers door handle is straight up bubbling and peeling up at this point. I am second owner at 85k miles so I don’t think I am eligible anymore for the warranty, would have to do this myself.

I think best case for me, i would love to get these pieces wrapped with satin black vinyl, but I have concerns around putting vinyl on these pieces where the chrome is bubbling and peeling.

If anyone’s had it straight up removed, would love to hear from you.

Wrapping the chrome is pretty easy, you can use a 3M scotchbrite pad to smooth down any areas where the chrome tint edges are rough. I'd get a 2'x5' sheet (this will allow you to do window trim, grill border, and side hockeysticks if you don't have any re-do areas) and metrorestyling is a great shop. I've used Avery & 3M 2080 vinyl and both are good, the 3M has a top protection film that is removed after you get the vinyl set down (before final heat & tuck) to keep the surface free of any install scuffs and scratches.
Here's a link w/ different gloss & matte black vinyls in Avery & 3M. Keep in mind, if you do a matte/satin wrap it won't match the door pillars, the gloss black will be a perfect match there.

Vinyl Wrap

Discover top-notch vinyl wraps from the world's best brands, including 3M, Avery Dennison, and more. Transform your vehicle's look with our diverse range of colors and finishes.

metrorestyling.com

 

[astroshotit]

Wrapping the chrome is pretty easy, you can use a 3M scotchbrite pad to smooth down any areas where the chrome tint edges are rough. I'd get a 2'x5' sheet (this will allow you to do window trim, grill border, and side hockeysticks if you don't have any re-do areas) and metrorestyling is a great shop. I've used Avery & 3M 2080 vinyl and both are good, the 3M has a top protection film that is removed after you get the vinyl set down (before final heat & tuck) to keep the surface free of any install scuffs and scratches.
Here's a link w/ different gloss & matte black vinyls in Avery & 3M. Keep in mind, if you do a matte/satin wrap it won't match the door pillars, the gloss black will be a perfect match there.

Vinyl Wrap

Discover top-notch vinyl wraps from the world's best brands, including 3M, Avery Dennison, and more. Transform your vehicle's look with our diverse range of colors and finishes.

metrorestyling.com

Thanks, I figured this would be a professional install but if you think anyone could do it I’m up to try something new.

 

[blnewto]

Thanks, I figured this would be a professional install but if you think anyone could do it I’m up to try something new.

Take a look at a few of these youtube DIY videos, give you an idea of what to expect. And the newer vinyls are easy to lift and reattach and heat as needed. For the rearmost section around that little door window you can lay some clear plastic over that and mark out a template to transfer to the vinyl so you're not wasting a bunch of vinyl or not cutting it correctly and end up having to trash a piece.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vinyl+wrapping+chrome+window+trim

 

[blnewto]

Thanks, I figured this would be a professional install but if you think anyone could do it I’m up to try something new.

Here's my chrome delete, and just added a spoiler, 15% tint and some black wrap spray paint on the emblems & lettering. I'll probably wrap the little dark chrome strip on the mirrors and the grill frame (not the honeycomb inside area though).

 

[TheBeginning]

this 100% affected G70s. Test drove a 2019 G70 Sport a few months ago and noticed this. Attached a pic. I remember the car spent some time in Florida, so maybe the sun causes this.

 

[Phastroh]

No its not the sun. I live in Florida.

I am on my 3rd set but these lasted the longest by far. When I bought the car new it was already peeling but I thought it was glue.

I got this Feb 3, 2020, I want to say this last set was installed in 2022 near end of the year. Still look new.

Just a bad idea however the grill and front and rear bumper pieces never had issues.

I have since replaced the front bumpers pieces with real CF and painted the grill flat black along with the rear exhaust friking looks 100000 times better. Just changes the whole aggressiveness.

Only the sides window trim remains and the reason I do not wrap them is the car is gray and CF all over and this little trim breaks up the side perfectly.

My car is a 2020 and still last night I pulled into the store and 2 young guys and a girl get out of their BMW and they said how beautiful the car was at least 5 times.

To be honest I get embarrassed I think because I did it for myself and since I first got it the compliments have never ended. I find it strange at times because I have never had the urge to say that about any car I have seen in person.

I wish I had a better front pic but I was in a large lot so I took a few.

NOT WASHED WARNING LOL I went home and washed it. Lots of road construction so I normally rinse it off often.

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[blnewto]

No its not the sun. I live in Florida.

I am on my 3rd set but these lasted the longest by far. When I bought the car new it was already peeling but I thought it was glue.

I got this Feb 3, 2020, I want to say this last set was installed in 2022 near end of the year. Still look new.

Just a bad idea however the grill and front and rear bumper pieces never had issues.

I have since replaced the front bumpers pieces with real CF and painted the grill flat black along with the rear exhaust friking looks 100000 times better. Just changes the whole aggressiveness.

Only the sides window trim remains and the reason I do not wrap them is the car is gray and CF all over and this little trim breaks up the side perfectly.

My car is a 2020 and still last night I pulled into the store and 2 young guys and a girl get out of their BMW and they said how beautiful the car was at least 5 times.

To be honest I get embarrassed I think because I did it for myself and since I first got it the compliments have never ended. I find it strange at times because I have never had the urge to say that about any car I have seen in person.

I wish I had a better front pic but I was in a large lot so I took a few.

NOT WASHED WARNING LOL I went home and washed it. Lots of road construction so I normally rinse it off often.

Nice job!
I'm going to paint those oval exhaust rings black next, makes a nice difference for sure!

 

[Phastroh]

Nice job!
I'm going to paint those oval exhaust rings black next, makes a nice difference for sure!

I had to to do it twice and it totally changes the look like the front. It looks far better.

Take them out, clean good and I put an entire can of Raptor Flat Black.

Reinstall is the most critical part. After a fail in the fry…,

I wrapped them after a few drying days following a ful can hit every few hours.

Make sure you practice reinstall before you paint it’s a bit tricky and it’s tight.

I wrapped them in paper to protect them. I painted them inside and out.

I wrapped them good with tape and once in place took off the paper.

Been over a year, now issues at all. Looks smooth and just flat out better.

 

[blnewto]

I had to to do it twice and it totally changes the look like the front. It looks far better.

Take them out, clean good and I put an entire can of Raptor Flat Black.

Reinstall is the most critical part. After a fail in the fry…,

I wrapped them after a few drying days following a ful can hit every few hours.

Make sure you practice reinstall before you paint it’s a bit tricky and it’s tight.

I wrapped them in paper to protect them. I painted them inside and out.

I wrapped them good with tape and once in place took off the paper.

Been over a year, now issues at all. Looks smooth and just flat out better.

I haven't taken a look under there to see what's involved, any tips to make the removal/reinstall easier??

 

[Phastroh]

I haven't taken a look under there to see what's involved, any tips to make the removal/reinstall easier??

I just wrote you the best advice in that reply. It’s only 3 screws but there’s little room to get it out unless you maybe pop the muffler off the hanger but I’m not sure that would help.

Just read my post. During reinstall wrap them well.

I had to drive a week with nothing because I wanted many coats and it to be super set.

 

[blnewto]

I just wrote you the best advice in that reply. It’s only 3 screws but there’s little room to get it out unless you maybe pop the muffler off the hanger but I’m not sure that would help.

Just read my post. During reinstall wrap them well.

I had to drive a week with nothing because I wanted many coats and it to be super set.

Thanks, glad to hear it's only 3 screws, hopefully I can get my old grumpy hands up in there lol. Thanks for providing those great details, will post back when I get them done, much appreciated!

 

[astroshotit]

For what it’s worth, I tried using some rupes polishing fluid and a microfiber towel on the trim to see if I could get the water spots look out and it came out great. I still need to go back and get the underside of the trim, but as a test I think this went great. My plan is to dip the trim when I get this polish done so the dip has the best chance of adhering to the trim.

https://imgur.com/a/YSBsvq4

 

[blnewto]

For what it’s worth, I tried using some rupes polishing fluid and a microfiber towel on the trim to see if I could get the water spots look out and it came out great. I still need to go back and get the underside of the trim, but as a test I think this went great. My plan is to dip the trim when I get this polish done so the dip has the best chance of adhering to the trim.

https://imgur.com/a/YSBsvq4

I wouldn't use dip, it won't look good over time, it's an easy vinyl wrap if you want to DIY and holds up and looks much better overall. I would recommend the dip for smaller items such as the lettering, emblems, but that's it IMO.

 

[Phastroh]

Mine after the third set lasted the longest is showing the early discoloration signs.

I’m gonna take it to get replaced but only because my front bumper they stopped the 2 screws under the hood in the upper fenders have led to right where the bumper meets the body seem behind the headlights…. That clip has come apart I think because it has no screw up top.

They removed it last talking the bumper plus my sunroof clicks and the video screen that they say they replaced still creeks and if you just pinch it it stops. No way it’s new.

 

[astroshotit]

Update on this - been taking the time every days when I have a few minutes to use a MF towel with Meguiar's 105 compound and polishing the trim by hand. Has been pretty quick all things considered to remove the "oxidation" look. I replaced the front badge on my bumper and took the time to compound and polish the front bumper from the sun fading look I was experiencing, and the trim immediately looked 1000 times better after just one trip with a DA. I'll post pictures soon when I get a chance.


I'll be visiting my FIL soon who has a big air compressor, I am considering getting an inexpensive 3" pneumatic polisher and knocking out all of the trim at that time.

Been looking at something like this from Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-air-polisher-kit-60611.html

 

[pulsar]

HF also has a cordless small polisher. I use it on headlights and have used it some on my G70 trim. In order to completely remove the trim discoloration I’d have to polish enough to remove the POS coating and end up with a bright finish which won’t match the other dark chrome areas so haven’t messed with the trim too much for just pisses me off the quality of the trim sucks and Genesis won’t fix the root cause.