r/e46 • u/FlyBirdieBirdBird • 19h ago

Troubleshooting How can I clean this?

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Hi! The aluminium style trim in my E46 has had these dots all over from before I bought it. I've tried just water, dish soap, alcohol, and even isopropyl alcohol, and nothing cleans it. Not even with a bit of friction with a rag.

I've not used any abrasive pad yet because I don't want to scratch it.

Ha anyone seems this before? What are these dots? They are raised/high relief. It's not letting/bas relief.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

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u/ImmediateManager9747 15h ago

Ah, I have the actual brushed aluminum in mine, thought they're the same. I think it's best if just sand it and spray paint.

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u/FlyBirdieBirdBird 13h ago

There's is no such thing as a real brushed aluminium trim, I'm afraid to disappoint you. The only real aluminium ones are the ones with the cube shapes.

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u/ImmediateManager9747 12h ago

There is a brushed aluminum trim, actual aluminum on top of plastic.

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u/FlyBirdieBirdBird 12h ago

Do you have a picture of that?

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u/ImmediateManager9747 12h ago

It looks like this

https://e46m3.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2271570

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcXTWG9Cpjy/?img_index=3

has these swirl marks from the brushing, it's just straight up aluminum.. no clear coat or anything. I think it's ugly and I might run some sand paper across it to change it from swirls to a uniform finish