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Second Generation Dull appearance on exterior window trim

pinhunter

Hasn't posted much yet...
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Genesis Model Year
2015
Genesis Model Type
2G Genesis Sedan (2015-2016)
I purchased my car new over Labor weekend in 2016 and now have 10,000 miles on it. Already, I'm seeing that the dark exterior trim around the windows has a very dull finish to it and I'm wondering what is the best way to clean this up and also protect it from dulling so quickly again. I've attached two photos since a picture is worth a thousand words...
 

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145 views in 3 weeks and noone else has this issue or a solution? :sleep:
 
Hmm....I just checked my '15 16k miles and all pillars are glossy, nothing like yours. I wonder, what happened?
 

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Here's my two cents.... first I would try a very mild solution of clr and spray on allowing about 10 seconds to "penetrate", don't scrub, use a sponge and have a hose close by to wash off thoroughly, be sure to get around the door edge to wash out or wipe out any trapped solution against rubber. If it is what I suspect this should clean it up. If it doesn't, do follow up with a mild degreaser like Fanstatic, same time frame and method. I doubt the latter will be useful, but cover all the bases (acid and basic). Still no results? Then do a VERY quick non abrasive compound compound, or at the very least a non abrasive polish. You won't want to compound or polish the aluminum, it will get very shiny and stand out. With that in mild, be sure to tape behind the door edge but over the rubber and tape off the aluminum, if any residue is left, goof off can be used to remove it. Because this plastic looks, to me at least, to be polycarbonate, would be likely quite soft, so don't even use a compound or polish pad, use a wax pad. Use about a fat nickels worth and gently distribute with your finger (as opposed to wiping on target area like one would w paint). I wouldn't go much past half speed, regardless of brand, PC, Flex, Griot's, etc. See what the first pass does before hitting it again. I would suggest using a mifcofiber better than 400gsm (800+ would be ideal just cause it is shaggier) to remove residue, and DON't let residue dry, and don't use a terry towel or other household towel. (This is all assuming you are using 3" polisher, but of course it can all be done by hand). If you are a sonax guy, the first steps can be substituted with a few sprites of Fallout Cleaner and high gsm microfiber, but be quick, don't let it dry, and have a hose ready. The liquid methods may knock it out, the polisher method absolutely will. Any questions, lmk, but for sure let us know how it works out. Don't forget to follow up with a decent wax, whatever brand you prefer, in two very thin coats, again, only use microfiber.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I have no idea what would have caused the oxidation or whatever it is so quickly. I'm wondering if I should attempt to submit it as a warranty replacement rather than detail it myself to get the shiny luster back?
 
depends on if you like to fight. the dealer might do the work for you, they may also say it is your fault. can't tell till you ask them, and Im basing everything on 2 pics, but with the exception of the sonax and buffing, what i suggested might cost you $3. again tho, depends on the dealer, ultimately, this should be a 5 minute fix
 
Took my car in for a 15K mile oil change and asked them about it. They said it's due to a chemical reaction and not covered under warranty. Suggested it came from a car wash, but I'm doubting it. I had the car treated with Xzilon back in April when my wife purchased a new Kia Sedona and they gave us a buy one, get one free type deal for the treatment. I'm guessing the sealant had a negative reaction to those trim pieces, so I'll be contacting Xzilon for the repair/replacement parts as the dealership said it's $600-800 for replace all of the trim pieces.
 
well, thats a bummer, can't say I am surprised, it reminds me of Jeep wanting to refuse a warranty claim because they claimed a bad gasket on an axle was "leakage" not "seepage"... sigh... if you were close to me Id say stop by and lets bang it out, but as that is not the case, best of luck if you try to fight them on it.
 
The dealership did do their best to use some sort of a compound on it to remove the dullness and it looks better, but certainly not like new/glossy.
 
New owner of Genesis here. I had the same type of window pillars on my 04 Ford F-150 Lariat and learned from them the best policy is to touch them with anything as little as possible. I use a soft mitt with very light force when washing with a auto shampoo (Duragloss 901). Quick rinse then lightly buff with a quality microfiber (they show water spots as visible as anything, and I live in West Tennessee where we have some of the most high quality water in the world). Basically, to touch this stuff is to mar it. When it comes time for a polish, sealant, wax, or quick detail......I go around these things. I could not imagine hitting them with anything containing abrasives such as a compound. I realize this is no help to the OP, but for future reference.
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The dealership did do their best to use some sort of a compound on it to remove the dullness and it looks better, but certainly not like new/glossy.

Mine USED to be dull also. I found during my detailing adventure I accidentally got some CHOME/All Metal polish on it. I immediately wiped it off with a microfiber cloth. Low and behold it was NOT dull anymore. So I tested my theory and wiped the entire silver/black trim lightly with it and it brighten all the way up.
In the end I still might get my wrap guy wrap them as it is very fingerprint prone.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I have a 2015 with 13,000. Same problem . Dealer basically told me to get lost .
 
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