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Message: <blockquote data-quote="plutoII" data-source="post: 702712" data-attributes="member: 14411">Mike, the trims on your Beemer are aluminium thats already clear-anodized (to form a hard, colourless transparent layer) to preserve the gloss/looks over a long period.  Anodized aluminium cannot be polished as the surface is very hard. As time goes by, the anodized layer will develop microscopic pinholes and cracks naked to the eye. Look closely at many older Beemers or classic cars and you'll see loads of "fine scratches" on every inch of the trim. Many of these are actually cracks on the anodized layer.During rain or washing, the water seeps into the cracks and pits, leaving behind minerals under the anodized layer. That's why on many older Beemers, the trims usually have these whitish fungus-like appearance. Some could be on top of the anodized layer and can be abrasively machined away, while the rest are under the anodized layer. In your case, the water could have mized with "building lime" (highly caustic) commonly used during construction, and this could have damaged the anodized layer. Do not attempt to partially sand the layer cos you'll end up scratching it. Even 600grit sandpaper has no effect on BMW's anodized layer. Either replace the trims or remove the anodized layer via soaking with paint stripper/clogged drain chemical.  Once stripped, the bare, dull aluminium can be repolished to any degree of gloss you desire. I hv spent 1 hour on 1pc of trim to polish it to almost chrome-like appearance!  But since its bare aluminium now, it'll oxidize soon and require periodical polishing with metal polish.</blockquote>

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