Window trim

[Jag girl]

Can anyone advise me how to get the windows trim all shinny again it's a chrome colour plastic and the rain has discoloured them ? 

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the Club, Di.

Nice car, and I can understand why you want the trim to be shiny as new.

The good news is that you are not alone in wanting this, but the bad news is that there are quite a few members who have the same problem.

I have tried Brasso, Solvol Autosol, toothpaste, detailing spray and a few more.  I might try some regulars clay bar iit is not raining tomorrow. [I have been trying for 4 years!]

Meanwhile, just enjoy your magnificent car!

Regards

Peter.

[Jag girl]

Hi Peter

thank u for your reply nice to hear I'm not alone, please let me know if the clay bar has a positive effect. I too have tried many product including brasso with no success to speak of. 

😩

[Old Peter]

Hello, Di.

I have tried out the Megulars Clay bar, lubricated with Autoglym detailing spray, and the result is not too bad, but not perfect,

Peter.

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Hello Di

Welcome to the VAPTC .... the Very Annoying Plastic Trim Club!

We don't have the problem on our XK as it has always lived inside, now in a Carcoon and doesn't go out in the wet.  However, we do have the problem on our S-type and, after much effort and enquiring at restoration shows etc., we have discovered that the plastic trim cannot be returned to its original state.   Minor improvement might be achieved but nothing noteworthy.   Sadly, a case of penny pinching by using plastic and coating instead of proper chromed metal.

The only surefire way for our S is to remove and replace with new, at a cost of around £600 for parts; the XK would probably be a similar price.

As the trim is plastic, it can't be re-chromed whilst although you may find second-hand items on that well known auction site, they are probably going to be going the same way.   None of the Jaguar parts specialists do repro replacements yet.

Sorry to sound a little defeatist but believe us, we have tried all ways!!

If you come up with anything....do let us know!

Meanwhile, happy growling, as always

[Old Peter]

Hi Carole,

Plastic trim was quite common in the eighties onwards, due in part to the scarcity of chrome dipping works.  Many had gone out of business due to the cost of the metal needed and the fact that Bob Scholey, the Chairman of British Steel plc said when asked why the company were not producing it any more, "There's n money in it".   In any case, the automotive industry always did look for cheaper options, and particularly for trim that didn't rust.  Even chromium finished steel did eventually rust if the steel in its raw state was just the plain mild steel and was not galvanised, or treated in some way.

Pity.

Peter.

[Guest]

Hello DI,

Welcome to the club(s), Jag Forum and Dull Chrome Bits - the first is good un the second not so. Sadly I too have no good news for you but, as I am at the very early stages of preserving/restoring a S Type I acquired a few weeks ago, I will be looking for ways to improve the current state of my own shiny bits. If I have any luck I will try to remember to post something for the benefit of all the others suffering from a lack of bling.

On a related topic though. Having given the recent purchase a thorough clean and polish, part of my detailed inspection and TLC regime, I found that the upright black metal trims that sit over the seal of the front windscreen are showing signs of rust.

Anyone here know how to remove and replace these without damaging the seal so I can restore same?

[Guest]

Oops, forgot to add that I'll be trying out Old Peter's solution in the meantime. Thanks Peter.