Scratched aluminum trim

Y

Yachee

New member
Hi all,

I just bought a 2010 E89. The center console aluminum trim is scratched pretty bad. Is there any way to repair the scratch?

i5n2h4.jpg


Thanks
 
The problem is the brushed finish, the scratches could be removed with wet&dry paper but you would lose the original finish as well :(
You could always polish the whole piece I suppose but then it wouldn't look original!
Regards
 
As Mr Smartbear says you could polish out the scratches and dents and you could reproduce the 'brushed' aluminium finish with wire wool, scotch pads or sanding sheets but it would never look as original.
There would need to be a protective clear coat finish applied.
You could only do this with the trim on a work bench and it would seem logical with it out to either replace it, spray it or cover it.
Some of the dents look quite deep, no idea what idiot would do that or how he would do it as it doesn't look accidental.
Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
 
Whoever owned it must have had either a really heavy watch or bracelet.
It almost looks like it was done deliberately.
 
ekimj10 said:
As Mr Smartbear says you could polish out the scratches and dents and you could reproduce the 'brushed' aluminium finish with wire wool, scotch pads or sanding sheets but it would never look as original.
There would need to be a protective clear coat finish applied.
You could only do this with the trim on a work bench and it would seem logical with it out to either replace it, spray it or cover it.
Some of the dents look quite deep, no idea what idiot would do that or how he would do it as it doesn't look accidental.
Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
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Don't think there is any clear coat on these, probably clear anodising.
 
Its called I couldn't give a toss about my car or plausible a child having some fun, anyways best throw the part away and replace.

Tim.
 
some people don't deserve these cars ,they should be given a trabant to drive, as I've said before some people go out of their way to show they have no respect and don't care for their cars,because it's only a machine :headbang: , almost like a badge of honour ,w**kers
 
Thanks all for the helpful advice. I'm gonna give it a try. First thing to do is find a how-to for taking out the console.
Will keep update. Thanks.
 
For the amount of time and effort it is going to take to get a less than ideal improvement I'd say just buy a new section and replace it yourself! Get some trim removal tools off eBay for £3 or so if you don't have any and it's easy! Somebody else did it on here and it wasn't that hard or expensive.
 
jwa1 said:
For the amount of time and effort it is going to take to get a less than ideal improvement I'd say just buy a new section and replace it yourself! Get some trim removal tools off eBay for £3 or so if you don't have any and it's easy! Somebody else did it on here and it wasn't that hard or expensive.
Click to expand...
The part on its own is over £350
 
Yeah around the £350 mark sounds right. Worth it in my opinion when you're spending thousands on a car and this part of the interior is very obvious. If you're doing it on an older car then maybe not worth it but if it's a nice spec and reasonably new I would do this.
 
Mine has that trim (but not in that state!) and it's very easily marked, I'm very careful (and a bit OCD) but even so I've managed to make some undesired additions to the finish, it's all part of BMW's quest to make fragile interiors that dotp stand up to proper use. My 3 series was hopeless.

Might be able to find a good part from a breaker if £350 is too steep.
 
Or how about this for an idea.
Take out your scratched one, prep it well and spray it gloss black then sell - the Piano Black interior is only painted anyway.
Use the money towards a new Alu trim.
 
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