Scratches on aluminum hexagon

[hanman]

Has anyone seen this already and any fixes out there ? I just noticed 2 already on my 3 week old SAV

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by hanman

Has anyone seen this already and any fixes out there ? I just noticed 2 already on my 3 week old SAV

My valet guys destroyed mine. Unfortunately no quick fixes. You'll need to replace the pieces.

[Windy City]

Aluminum is a soft material, thus really bad to use for any sort of finish that sees any attrition at all. I would stay away from this option in ANY vehicle. Rings, keys, even some plastics can scratch it.

I know, too late.

It can be made more durable with anodizing but this is a hard/expensive process to use on thin items.

The finish on the surface of the aluminum is basically scratches. They are just even in depth (size) and direction. You could bring back the surface finish with either a piece of fine sand paper or Scotch Bright. The bad part is it would take some experimenting to verify the correct grit and direction to get everything correct. An old piece or some where in an inconspicuous area would work for experimentation.

If one was to replace a piece, I would look into an aftermarket item and replace all of the matching areas with something more durable.

Sorry that's all bad news.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by hanman

Has anyone seen this already and any fixes out there ? I just noticed 2 already on my 3 week old SAV

Yeah ditto after only one week I have scratches from storing my keys in the cup holder

Will ask my Detailer when I see him next week what the options are.

[Artdnj]

Any idea how much replacement trim piece costs and if it's a DIY.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by Artdnj

Any idea how much replacement trim piece costs and if it's a DIY.

Doors are around $300. Center console around $200 per side.

I ordered a door piece and a center console piece to fix what my valet guys destroyed.

Doors should be DIY so long as you don't break any clips. If it's similar to the F10 they'll just pop off but you have to be careful to not damage the fiber optic carrier for the ambient lighting.

Dash should also be easy.

Center console requires disassembly.

I should also mention that BMW doesn't stock these parts. They're made on demand when an order is placed. I'm expecting mine to ship later this month, about 4-5 weeks after I ordered.

[hanman]

Thanks everyone this gives me a lot to go on

[Artdnj]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

Doors are around $300. Center console around $200 per side.

I ordered a door piece and a center console piece to fix what my valet guys destroyed.

Doors should be DIY so long as you don't break any clips. If it's similar to the F10 they'll just pop off but you have to be careful to not damage the fiber optic carrier for the ambient lighting.

Dash should also be easy.

Center console requires disassembly.

I should also mention that BMW doesn't stock these parts. They're made on demand when an order is placed. I'm expecting mine to ship later this month, about 4-5 weeks after I ordered.

Thank you

[mermar]

Bringing this older post to the top again - so I bought a preowned x5 and it was in great condition except for the alum hex trim. What have people found to work the best - just order individual parts and have them replaces or are you switching to a new trim. This is a very fragile trim apparently - very scratched after 8000 miles (from former owner). I think I can be more careful then he was - but it does seem to scratch easily.

[stewy604]

I've got a couple scratches on mine as well, super frustrating as I am VERY careful with my vehicles. Continues to motivate me to replace it with the CF / Alcantara trim (cha-ching).

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by mermar

Bringing this older post to the top again - so I bought a preowned x5 and it was in great condition except for the alum hex trim. What have people found to work the best - just order individual parts and have them replaces or are you switching to a new trim. This is a very fragile trim apparently - very scratched after 8000 miles (from former owner). I think I can be more careful then he was - but it does seem to scratch easily.

can you take the trim off and scotchbrite them to a new rough finish?

[ergoyo]

There's got to be something that can be done to scratched and dull alum Hex trim pieces, short of replacing them. There are so many buffing and polishing options, what could really work to bring them back to looking new.
I just don't get why it seems to be something impossible to do.
Orbital buffer with light wax, I don't know..

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

My valet guys destroyed mine. Unfortunately no quick fixes. You'll need to replace the pieces.

Can never trust valets.

[stewy604]

Originally Posted by kanvas

Can never trust valets.

Agreed.

[sssmokie]

IMO, the best solution is to replace them with the leather ones from the x5m:

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...1198771&page=2

I have not done it yet, but once they go in bad enough condition I ll probably go for it. If you replace them with the same, they will get scratched again.

[Marky Mark]

You can always remove and clear coat them...

[theove]

Replaced them:

[Wing Co]

Looks great, from here in Limburg.

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by stewy604

Agreed.

HAD to valet a couple days ago at a restaurant. However, the valet guy inspected the car with me (like my service adviser!) for any existing scratches/dents before he took off. I was taken by surprise by his professionalism.

[M3-Namja]

Originally Posted by theove

Replaced them:

Did you do the install yourself?

[theove]

Yes. On the site of Bavsound you find a nice video.

[grapesmc]

I bought a used 2014 about a month back and the aluminum bolsters were a mess.

Found a great tutorial in this forum and swapped out for leather last weekend. Massive improvement.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1156318