Looking at a 2004 X350 for sale, about 50,000 miles on it. Is in nice shape except for two types of visible wear/faults on the door trim:

First, looks like some staining...would not rub out with thumb/spit...does this door trim oxidize?






Secondly, what is the nature of this black door trim? Seems to be bubbling. Would this suggest oxidation underneath, or just some kind of coating that needs re-application?







Thanks for your help and expertise!

C

 

Not sure about the black piece but the silver piece is constructed of anodized aluminum. It isn't stainless or chrome. I've removed it and stripped down to the metal. Here's a read on it and attempts to improve it.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ng-tip-157449/

 

The black bits are probably steel and have some corrosion-very unusual but then our

Jags are getting older.

 

The bubbling on the black trim is corrosion under the coating attacking the metal. The bubbling has the same appearance whether the panels are steel or aluminum. Flake some of the bubbling with a knife. White powder is aluminum oxide. If it is made of steel the bubbling will be red iron oxide.

 

Yes, Carfax says this was a Miami car for most of its life. The car is in nice shape, but sadly I think this is salty air, and--if I bought the car--I'd be chasing after little bits of corrosion like this endlessly.

 

Mine has the same bubbling under the color of the black trims in some places. There is aluminium underneath (it's worse on mine, so I can see what's underneath already).
That's just usual metal corrosion on an old car, just like the aluminium trims. I have hardly seen a car at this age that was eposed to the elements for one and a half decade and shows no specks, especially on the metal colored components.
I'll try to fix the silvery parts with a metal polishing paste as soon as the technical status of my cat reaches a level that allows turning to cosmetics.
And the black parts I intend to grind off the color and repaint.