[mike in o.c.]

I noticed in the last week that the rubber trim that surrounds the kick plate is starting to fade on my 2018 M2 I took delivery of last October. I’ve not used any sort of chemical on it. Anyone else have this issue?

[V.Smurf]

Hi Mike,

Originally Posted by mike in o.c.

I noticed in the last week that the rubber trim that surrounds the kick plate is starting to fade on my 2018 M2 I took delivery of last October.

I don't (mine's an August 2017 build, delivered in October last year as well) ... but there's a pretty good product that can darken the plastic/rubber trim. I've used Solution Finish on my X6 (and previously my Lexus) with some good results, so happy to recommend it.

The only advice I would have is make sure you wear gloves when applying it or buffing it off. In my experience, when the product dries it can't be washed off (or otherwise removed with chemicals) so its great for exterior finishes as well.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

[Spartan King]

You can also try Carpro DLUX. Lasts a long time and repels water like a ceramic coating, but for your trim and lots of other places.

https://www.carpro-us.com/protection...-30ml-sky-kit/

[NashvilleM2]

I just noticed that my driver side had significant fading yesterday. It's only a few months old and I wash it myself with quality products. I even took a quick detailed to it to see if it was dirty but it is in fact faded. Very strange since this part does not really see the sun...

[XProject]

http://a.co/fb1tONh

use this?

[mike in o.c.]

Originally Posted by NashvilleM2

I just noticed that my driver side had significant fading yesterday. It's only a few months old and I wash it myself with quality products. I even took a quick detailed to it to see if it was dirty but it is in fact faded. Very strange since this part does not really see the sun...

Next time I take my car in for service I’m going to request a replacement under the vehicle warranty. No way this should be happening.

[NashvilleM2]

Originally Posted by mike in o.c.

Next time I take my car in for service I'm going to request a replacement under the vehicle warranty. No way this should be happening.

I'm going to do the same. I'm going to do a mini detail on my car sometime this week. I'll let you know if anything fixes the issue.

[BLOJOE]

Originally Posted by mike in o.c.

I noticed in the last week that the rubber trim that surrounds the kick plate is starting to fade on my 2018 M2 I took delivery of last October. I’ve not used any sort of chemical on it. Anyone else have this issue?

I have the same thing and noticed it for the first time when I washed the car a few days ago!

It can't be fading - my theory is that water (from rain or a wash) when allowed to sit on that trim for a long time actually discolors it (I have spotting)! I too was going to try a black trim enhancer/polish but this is just lame.

[ried]

Just noticed this on my '17 M2, too. Weird.

[McGary911]

This would annoy the crap out of me (mine is fine). Heck with all the cleaning\restoring elixers. I'd be @ the dealer talking about replacement.

[BLOJOE]

Originally Posted by McGary911

This would annoy the crap out of me (mine is fine). Heck with all the cleaning\restoring elixers. I'd be @ the dealer talking about replacement.

Even if you get a replacement at the dealer my guess is the same thing might happen again but with the new part.

I ended up just getting "Mothers Back to Black". Worked like a charm AND works very well on my stock diffuser that had a little wax "overflow" on it that I could not get off. Actually makes the diffuser look awesome. We'll see how long it lasts though...

[McGary911]

Originally Posted by BLOJOE

Even if you get a replacement at the dealer my guess is the same thing might happen again but with the new part.

I ended up just getting "Mothers Back to Black". Worked like a charm AND works very well on my stock diffuser that had a little wax "overflow" on it that I could not get off. Actually makes the diffuser look awesome. We'll see how long it lasts though...

I’m wondering if a bad batch of these got through. I’d be curious if the build dates are close together for the folks with this problem. If that’s the case a new one from the dealer might be a lot better.

I’m thinking of getting my stock diffuser wrapped with dry carbon looking stuff. It looks kind of plasticy. Bet your back to Black really helps there.

[McGary911]

Well, remember I said mine were fine? That’s true for the drivers side but not the paassenger side. That ones fading. It must be from the moisture that gets in the door sills when it rains.

I had my 12k service today and mentioned it to the service guy. They agreed it was a problem and ordered one for warranty replacement.

[kfscoll]

Originally Posted by BLOJOE

Even if you get a replacement at the dealer my guess is the same thing might happen again but with the new part.

I ended up just getting "Mothers Back to Black". Worked like a charm AND works very well on my stock diffuser that had a little wax "overflow" on it that I could not get off. Actually makes the diffuser look awesome. We'll see how long it lasts though...

I just this weekend noticed a little bit of fade on both of my sill plates and my rear diffuser, and just like you I used Mothers Back to Black that had been sitting in my lotions/potions stash to freshen them up. The Mothers worked great!

[M2OG]

I too have this "issue". I typically use a waterless wash on my car and have come to the conclusion that it's not fading but actually wax buildup. If you run it with your fingers you can get the white residue to come off.

[McGary911]

I had my replacement installed @ the dealer on Tuesday so I'm as good as new.

I would have loved to keep the old one. It's the exact right size to use as a barmat on the drink ledge of my bar. Unfortunately, the lady said recently they've wanted all warranty parts sent back to BMW. A new one is $100. That's not quite worth it to me. It was worth a try for sure.

BTW, I'm sure mine wasn't wax build up as I don't wax it.

[BLOJOE]

Originally Posted by McGary911

I had my replacement installed @ the dealer on Tuesday so I'm as good as new.

I would have loved to keep the old one. It's the exact right size to use as a barmat on the drink ledge of my bar. Unfortunately, the lady said recently they've wanted all warranty parts sent back to BMW. A new one is $100. That's not quite worth it to me. It was worth a try for sure.

BTW, I'm sure mine wasn't wax build up as I don't wax it.

So mine was definitely a "wax" or a "wax-like" material or substance. After I put Back to Black on (that essentially covered it) I got one of those soft white erasers and "erased off" the wax. Good as new now. No need to replace. Will it come back? - ...who knows... - where did it come from? - ...who knows...

Aliens?

[Anthony1s]

This is what I've been using on my 2007 Saab for the last 6 years. It's a liquid black dye. The built in applicator sucks. So I cut the bottle open, pour it into another container, and use a foam brush to apply it. Clean plastic well then wipe down with alcohol before applying. I need touchups to it every 2-3 years. Which every other product I tried lasts only a couple weeks. The car is parked outside in glaring sun and driven in winter year round too. So definitely the best product I've found. Unfortunately, the company replaced it with a "new and improved formula" that I haven't tried yet. But yea, I love that the M2 doesn't have any exterior black plastic that is susceptible to fading. I replaced the diffuser for the M carbon one, so other than that it's only the inside of air intakes for the coolers.



Here's a pic of it on my Saab. This is a year after I did touchups. Car is 11 years old.



Here's the "new formula"... I don't know if I'll ever get to try it though cause I have a couple bottles of the old formula still and not really a need to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Bumpe...6+trim+dye+kit

[LuvMyE92]

My car is brand new, never been waxed, sat in the showroom most of the time (AFAIK) and the rubber trim mentioned here is discolored. I don't know the build date.

I figured that there's no point in asking for a replacement if the new one is going to do the same thing.

I'll probably try to clean it first, and then use the back-to-black stuff. I don't think it's anything but shoe polish, but hey, it works well on plastics.

[M Fifty]

Past experience suggests that 'wash and wax' type cleaning products cause discolouration of unpainted plastics.

[GeilesAuto]

Beautiful Saab! 2007 9-3 Aero is a great one, and yours is terrific.

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

This is what I've been using on my 2007 Saab for the last 6 years. It's a liquid black dye. The built in applicator sucks. So I cut the bottle open, pour it into another container, and use a foam brush to apply it. Clean plastic well then wipe down with alcohol before applying. I need touchups to it every 2-3 years. Which every other product I tried lasts only a couple weeks. The car is parked outside in glaring sun and driven in winter year round too. So definitely the best product I've found. Unfortunately, the company replaced it with a "new and improved formula" that I haven't tried yet. But yea, I love that the M2 doesn't have any exterior black plastic that is susceptible to fading. I replaced the diffuser for the M carbon one, so other than that it's only the inside of air intakes for the coolers.



Here's a pic of it on my Saab. This is a year after I did touchups. Car is 11 years old.



Here's the "new formula"... I don't know if I'll ever get to try it though cause I have a couple bottles of the old formula still and not really a need to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Bumpe...6+trim+dye+kit

[aerobat]

You can just use fingers to rub it off. It comes from something in car shampoo.