2009 XF premature tarnish of chrome door trim
#1
#3
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Thank you Dervdave
I initially took it to Jag dealer and the customer service consultant said it was acid rain environmental and they do not do replace. I can't imagine other jags are running into this problem. I will call manager of service and let him know that it is premature tarnish.
John
I initially took it to Jag dealer and the customer service consultant said it was acid rain environmental and they do not do replace. I can't imagine other jags are running into this problem. I will call manager of service and let him know that it is premature tarnish.
John
#4
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The door surround is stainless steel (SS). Contrary to common knowledge, SS will stain. The dealer is correct that there is nothing to be done about it short of replacing the pieces and, do one, you must do all.
I have tried every polish known to me, including those formulated for ss, with no significant result. You can take an abrasive pad to the surface tarnish but you will then spend days getting the minute scratches (brush finish) back to nornal.
I can't explain it because I don't understand it. SS is supposted to polish up, but this stuff will not. Maybe it is acid rain. There is a thread that ran on for 3 or so pages about 1 1/2 years ago, I think in the 350 section. Some of those respondents claimed good results but I was unable to duplicate.
I wish you every success but I live with the problem to this day. If you find the answer post it back here. It's worth a Knighthood, at least.
I have tried every polish known to me, including those formulated for ss, with no significant result. You can take an abrasive pad to the surface tarnish but you will then spend days getting the minute scratches (brush finish) back to nornal.
I can't explain it because I don't understand it. SS is supposted to polish up, but this stuff will not. Maybe it is acid rain. There is a thread that ran on for 3 or so pages about 1 1/2 years ago, I think in the 350 section. Some of those respondents claimed good results but I was unable to duplicate.
I wish you every success but I live with the problem to this day. If you find the answer post it back here. It's worth a Knighthood, at least.
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#5
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Hmmm, dunno if its any consolation guys ( probably not ) but I suffered the same thing with my chrome trim pieces on my doors of my Audi A6 (2007 MY )
I found out some time ago that they are in actual fact NOT chrome at all but seemingly a plastic covered with a "chrome" veneer of sorts?!?!
Anyhow, the acid rain / car wash shampoo whatever turns them a milky / cloudy colour and basically takes the shine off them.
Supposedly all down to acid rain / harsh wash chemicals etc etc ( thats the party line and deffo NOT warranty items )
Having sad that, I'm tight with the service guy AND the parts guys and have had 3 sets ALL replaced under warranty only for them all to go the same way.....
Sounds kinda similar to me ????
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#10
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Next time you get close to a late-model S-Type, take a look at the bright-work around the windows. You will see the same tarnishing. I have attacked mine with MAAS polish, and that helped a good bit, but still not good enough. Next step is to use the big gun: Simichrome polish. I'm hoping that keeps things looking good enough, at least until the faux metal "veneer" wears through. But don't go look at an early S-Type - the gleam of the real chrome (I think) on the earlier cars will leave you muttering under your breath. These things are built to a price, something Sir William always understood.
#11
#13
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For what it's worth.
In 2008 I received a Jaguar publication for North America entitled "This is the New Jaguar XF" On page 52 in the section Art of Perfection there is a statement and I quote
"While we've highlighted the one-piece brushed aluminum strip around the complete side window opening on the XF as a remarkable piece of design, its significance as another example of Jaguar craftsmanship is arguably even greater. It would have been easy to have produced it in one, two maybe three pieces and cover the joints with thin caps. We could also have produced it from chromed plastic. But with this car, we wanted an unmached piece of craftsmanship. We challenged our suppliers, and they delivered, says Burgess"
End of quote
The Burgess is Wayne Burgess who is (or was) Senior Manager for Jaguar Design
In 2008 I received a Jaguar publication for North America entitled "This is the New Jaguar XF" On page 52 in the section Art of Perfection there is a statement and I quote
"While we've highlighted the one-piece brushed aluminum strip around the complete side window opening on the XF as a remarkable piece of design, its significance as another example of Jaguar craftsmanship is arguably even greater. It would have been easy to have produced it in one, two maybe three pieces and cover the joints with thin caps. We could also have produced it from chromed plastic. But with this car, we wanted an unmached piece of craftsmanship. We challenged our suppliers, and they delivered, says Burgess"
End of quote
The Burgess is Wayne Burgess who is (or was) Senior Manager for Jaguar Design
#14
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For what it's worth.
In 2008 I received a Jaguar publication for North America entitled "This is the New Jaguar XF" On page 52 in the section Art of Perfection there is a statement and I quote
"While we've highlighted the one-piece brushed aluminum strip around the complete side window opening on the XF as a remarkable piece of design, its significance as another example of Jaguar craftsmanship is arguably even greater. It would have been easy to have produced it in one, two maybe three pieces and cover the joints with thin caps. We could also have produced it from chromed plastic. But with this car, we wanted an unmached piece of craftsmanship. We challenged our suppliers, and they delivered, says Burgess"
End of quote
The Burgess is Wayne Burgess who is (or was) Senior Manager for Jaguar Design
In 2008 I received a Jaguar publication for North America entitled "This is the New Jaguar XF" On page 52 in the section Art of Perfection there is a statement and I quote
"While we've highlighted the one-piece brushed aluminum strip around the complete side window opening on the XF as a remarkable piece of design, its significance as another example of Jaguar craftsmanship is arguably even greater. It would have been easy to have produced it in one, two maybe three pieces and cover the joints with thin caps. We could also have produced it from chromed plastic. But with this car, we wanted an unmached piece of craftsmanship. We challenged our suppliers, and they delivered, says Burgess"
End of quote
The Burgess is Wayne Burgess who is (or was) Senior Manager for Jaguar Design
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#15
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Our X-type (2007) has suffered the same tarnished chrome as others. It seems to be a plastic laminate over a metallic base. I suspect that moisture has started the oxidation process & delamination is what gives the horrible effect. Polishing will not cure the problem as it is not a "surface" issue. It is disappointing to have such silly ****ling problems on what is not a cheap motorcar. Maybe the new owners will look at rectifying the problem.
#16
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I see this is a pretty old thread. Has anyone come up with a solution? My new/old stock 2011 Jag XF Premium just arrived from Ohio today, and it has this problem already. It did sit on the dealer lot for a year, so it's easy to understand why it's so bad already.
I looked at the other thread listed above, and it sounds like they have a different material on the S types that they can polish.
Wonder if the XF pieces could be removed and chromed for a more permanent solution? Anyone experienced in chroming here?
I looked at the other thread listed above, and it sounds like they have a different material on the S types that they can polish.
Wonder if the XF pieces could be removed and chromed for a more permanent solution? Anyone experienced in chroming here?
Last edited by lotusespritse; 01-24-2012 at 08:55 PM.
#17
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I see this is a pretty old thread. Has anyone come up with a solution? My new/old stock 2011 Jag XF Premium just arrived from Ohio today, and it has this problem already. It did sit on the dealer lot for a year, so it's easy to understand why it's so bad already.
I looked at the other thread listed above, and it sounds like they have a different material on the S types that they can polish.
Wonder if the XF pieces could be removed and chromed for a more permanent solution? Anyone experienced in chroming here?
I looked at the other thread listed above, and it sounds like they have a different material on the S types that they can polish.
Wonder if the XF pieces could be removed and chromed for a more permanent solution? Anyone experienced in chroming here?
In the latest J.D. Power Customer Retention survey, there is a reason why Jaguar has a 31% retention rate, while BMW has a 59% retention rate. At least, Jaguar is improving: in the previous survey, the Jaguar customer retention rate was 16%. Jaguar's ultimately positive resolution of my complaints at least moved me from the "no" column to the "maybe" column. The ownership experience depends not only on the product, but also on how the manufacturer stands behind the product, at least during the warranty period.
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buddanos (01-25-2012)
#18
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This thread and others like it has been running for years. The question for me is:
What is this trim material?
Chrome
Aluminium
Stainless Steel - which incidentally is no such a thing
Whatever the material is, it is very hard and does not respond in any meaningful way to any liquid product I have tried. I have tried various polishes, rubbing compounds and Bar Keepers Friend. Nothing touches it.
ScotchBrite pads will get the stains off but then you can't get the cut lines out. I know there are metal polishing firms out there who could deal with it but you must take the trim off the car. One kink or dent in the removal process and you just bought yourself new trim anyway.
Replacing the trim, warrant or no, is a short term solution as the staining will be back soon enough.
Can it really be this hopeless?
What is this trim material?
Chrome
Aluminium
Stainless Steel - which incidentally is no such a thing
Whatever the material is, it is very hard and does not respond in any meaningful way to any liquid product I have tried. I have tried various polishes, rubbing compounds and Bar Keepers Friend. Nothing touches it.
ScotchBrite pads will get the stains off but then you can't get the cut lines out. I know there are metal polishing firms out there who could deal with it but you must take the trim off the car. One kink or dent in the removal process and you just bought yourself new trim anyway.
Replacing the trim, warrant or no, is a short term solution as the staining will be back soon enough.
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Last edited by user 2029223; 01-26-2012 at 06:19 AM.
#19
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Worked with my 03 S-Type and same results with my XF. Wolfgang Swirl Remover, you can find it at autogeek.net
Wolfgang 8 oz. Swirl Remover Combo, Wolfgang polishes, total swirl remover, finishing glaze, machine glaze
You can use a paint sealer after you are done.
Hope that helps!
Wolfgang 8 oz. Swirl Remover Combo, Wolfgang polishes, total swirl remover, finishing glaze, machine glaze
You can use a paint sealer after you are done.
Hope that helps!
#20
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All,
I worked for a company who manufactured trim for numerous car manufacturers including Acura, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, gm and others
The process is called "plating on plastic" and it involves forming the plastic parts using polymer materials which are formed into the specifc part , then inserting these parts in a bath of chemicals which include metals such as gold, silver and others.
When the process is completed you cannot tell the difference between stainless steel and plastic other than the weight.
They can become cloudy if the chemical process is flawed and the acid rain can affect these parts if the process at the manufacturer was not robust enough. Plating on plastic is a "science" and as a result can have many variations in product quality.
Hope this helps.
I worked for a company who manufactured trim for numerous car manufacturers including Acura, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, gm and others
The process is called "plating on plastic" and it involves forming the plastic parts using polymer materials which are formed into the specifc part , then inserting these parts in a bath of chemicals which include metals such as gold, silver and others.
When the process is completed you cannot tell the difference between stainless steel and plastic other than the weight.
They can become cloudy if the chemical process is flawed and the acid rain can affect these parts if the process at the manufacturer was not robust enough. Plating on plastic is a "science" and as a result can have many variations in product quality.
Hope this helps.