Cleaning the wood trim
- Thread starter eddo
- Start date
I think the correct address for Classic Motoring Accessories is http://www.properautocare.com/
If you have scratches in the plastic overlay, I would use a product called 'Ice Cream'. I bought it to remove scratches from the front of my iPOD. I tried it on the plastic that covers the wood trim and it removes scratches on that also. It's a great product! (2000 323Ci)
Here is a link to the product/review
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/icecream-polish-review.html
Here is a link to the product/review
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/icecream-polish-review.html
I'm confused, have you gotten some sort of film or gook on top of the wood lacquer? I've been wiping my E46 wood off since 1999 with nothing more than a damp, clean rag…and it looks as good as new. I treat the plastic with 3M plastic cleaner and conditioner maybe 3-4 times a year. In between a damp clean cloth wipes up great. (You couldn't pay me to use that Armour All junk…it only attracts dust…and make sure you don't get any of that on your wood…as that will make a film.)
I use one of those new blue micro-fiber rags, dry, on th ewood and it works very well.
But I wish I could figure out a way to clean my windshiled without leavings streaks and a film.
When I first got the car, regular Windex used to work fine. But now, from road grime and whatnot, I have to clean the windows 2-3 times and there is still a hazy film.
I'm tempted to spend the $20 on that PS-21 window cleaner, but that seems a bit ridiculous.
I hear white vinegar works well.
Anyone have any ideas?
But I wish I could figure out a way to clean my windshiled without leavings streaks and a film.
When I first got the car, regular Windex used to work fine. But now, from road grime and whatnot, I have to clean the windows 2-3 times and there is still a hazy film.
I'm tempted to spend the $20 on that PS-21 window cleaner, but that seems a bit ridiculous.
I hear white vinegar works well.
Anyone have any ideas?
Yeah, I get that too. Use any ol' window cleaner...BUT...use newspaper to clean it up. That's right...newspaper. Paper towels have all sorts of softeners in them. Cloth rags just don't do it like newspaper either. I know it's counter intuitive because newspaper makes your fingers black from touching it...but I've heard a number of pro's sing the praise of newpaper and when I used it...no film. I'm a convert.
For windows, I use water or glass cleaner with newspaper. There is some sort of chemical/particles on the newspaper that polishes the glass, makes it nice and shiny without the film
Well, I just got the car so I don't know what the guy did to the wood. There is one scratch on the wood on the passenger side but the whole thing just looks like there is a whitish film on top of it. It looks very different from the shift knob wood.
Well, I just got the car so I don't know what the guy did to the wood. There is one scratch on the wood on the passenger side but the whole thing just looks like there is a whitish film on top of it. It looks very different from the shift knob wood.
For windows, I use water or glass cleaner with newspaper. There is some sort of chemical/particles on the newspaper that polishes the glass, makes it nice and shiny without the film
Well, I just got the car so I don't know what the guy did to the wood. There is one scratch on the wood on the passenger side but the whole thing just looks like there is a whitish film on top of it. It looks very different from the shift knob wood.
Well, I just got the car so I don't know what the guy did to the wood. There is one scratch on the wood on the passenger side but the whole thing just looks like there is a whitish film on top of it. It looks very different from the shift knob wood.
For the glass: On the outside I wash the windows with the rest of the car, using a white dish type scrubber on the windshield to remove bugs and grime if necessary, then I use the California Water Blade to squeegie the windows before they dry and they come out crystal clear, no rubbing. On the inside I use my leather chamois wet well and clean and well rung out. It removes all the dirt and grime and the windows are crystal clear afterward. No need for products especially for me since my windows are filmed and you cannot use any cleaners on window film. Just water.
Hmmm.... Are you complaining that the wood is too lacquered? A lot of people say that the E46's wood has so much shellac on it that it almost looks like plastic. I don't know about that. But I remember reading a long time ago about a dude who popped out his trim and removed to shellac to get back to a more natural wood look….like say the X5. But I don't know if myrtle would look that good without the heavy shellac. Who knows.
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Myrtle wood trim
I also have the wood trim on my '04, and my first impression was definitely that they put so much shellac over the top that it does look like plastic. Seems like a strange decision since there was so much talk from my dealer about the quality of the wood they use, how they grow them in some BMW forest or something. I think it does take away from the look a bit.
I also have the wood trim on my '04, and my first impression was definitely that they put so much shellac over the top that it does look like plastic. Seems like a strange decision since there was so much talk from my dealer about the quality of the wood they use, how they grow them in some BMW forest or something. I think it does take away from the look a bit.