Running Board Finish Problem

[sariggs1]

Has anyone had any problems with the finish on their Aluminum Running Boards? See the picture below. I can't get the driver's side clean, it has some sort of white etching or deposits nearly the whole length.

I noticed it the first time I washed it, 10 days old. The dealer said I must have done something (it was garaged and only happened to one side and I hadn't even washed it yet). They are denying it's their issue, so is the regional rep.

Pretty bad customer service for an brand new $86k car. Their detailer tried everything and honestly, so have I. Anybody have any ideas what to try? I am open to about anything since I don't want to pay another $600 bucks for a new one.

[chuck92103]

This is typical for aluminum running boards. One reason I did not get them.
I saw how corroded they look over time on an X3 and X5.

The other issue was dirty pant legs.

[dmlgc]

I've seen this on friends X5 but figured it was due to the super hard water in our area.

[SandmanTR]

I had them on my 2008 X5 with a lot of washes over a full calendar year and never had this problem. I would think it's some sort of coating failure. If it happened on just one side, it has to be the running board itself.

[Big Windy]

have you tried an orbital polisher with a paint cleaner?

[Nezo86]

looks like what degreaser does to aluminum....

[Barmats]

It's hard to tell from the pic but it almost looks like hard water stains. Before you try something like paint cleaner or thinner, try some vinegar which works very well to remove mineral deposits. If this is etched into the finish, or if the finish is coming off, I wonder if there's any sort of warranty on it? It may be worth a trip to another dealer for a second opinion, and there's nothing that says you can't have a different dealer replace parts for you under warranty.

[teagueAMX]

It looks like it could be two things: 1) the anodized finish has an issue, or 2) hard water or some other substance splashed on it and stained the finish.

When you touch the surface, does it feel pitted or does it feel bumpy?

[motex]

I will try to use an aluminum polisher wax or liquid, I really don't think is hard water.....I will also say same as above, some strange substance splashed on it.

There is a GREAT product from Simple Green called "Extreme Simple Green
Motorsports Cleaner & Degreaser" maybe this solution sounds crazy to you, but believe me, I use it even on my windshield to remove hard water stains and works like magic !

See link here:
http://www.simplegreen.com/products_extreme_motor.php

I have my running boards for 8 months already and Costa Rican water is very hard, and don't have any signs of stains........

Good luck !

[sariggs1]

I have tried all the recommendations, no luck. I went as far as mineral spirits and paint remover. I don't feel any pitting.

We only have one dealer in KC. They 'are through looking at it'. The customer relations folks at BMW couldn't help me either. They said that if the regional rep and delaer looked at it, they can't do anything else.

I did have a clear bra installed when it was new, I wonder if they used something that could have splashed on it (they did the mirror right above it). It is odd that it is just the driver's side though.

No warranty on it even though it was installed when I bought it new. They simple said that I did something to it.

Sounds like I will have to live with it or replace it. Thanks for all the input. Keep the ideas coming!

[teagueAMX]

In the photo, it looks two different things:

1) badly oxidized or poorly applied anodized finish. The surface of the step has what appears to be surface roughness, as if one of the anodizing steps wasn't done right. But you ruled that out you said it was smooth. You'd have to look very closely and compare the left and right steps to see if it might be a warranty issue for the anodized finish.

2) The splotching is sort odd. It almost looks like someone took a paint brush loaded with paint and flicked the end and came up with the random pattern. But the the photo does doesn't appear to show the same splotching on the side edge of the step. If it was paint or something like that you'd think the bottom of the door would have some, too. The non-slip bumps don't seems to have anything, either. Does the side have it too or just the top?

[chuck92103]

If you do a google search you will see this is a common issue for BMW, Mercedes, etc.

One guy on the autopia forum removed all the rubber nipples and then used aluminum polish which is fine if you have no life.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...e&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

If you do a google search you will see this is a common issue for BMW, Mercedes, etc.

One guy on the autopia forum removed all the rubber nipples and then used aluminum polish which is fine if you have no life.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Actually, what you're saying makes sense. If it had been paint, or something “customer related” I couldn’t see how the pattern could be so selective on the surface of the step and not be on the paint as well.

I was doing some research on this morning and that basically confirms my thought that it has to do with either the application of the final clear layer, and/or, their process for stripping the metal during the anodize process had an issue.

Either way, it's a factor defect and they and not acknowledging it, blaming the customer.

[sariggs1]

I agree with you that is is random and it not on the rubber peices or the side. Either way, it is a bummer.

On the bright side, they came back to me today and offerred me a 20% discount on a new one! Lucky me...

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by sariggs1

I agree with you that is is random and it not on the rubber peices or the side. Either way, it is a bummer.

On the bright side, they came back to me today and offerred me a 20% discount on a new one! Lucky me...

We'll at least they'll work with you on it. That's good news.

[archwerks]

Can it be corrosion from transport railcar dust?

If this part was installed by robot at the factory, then it's a warranty issue. Can't imagine that a person installling it would not see it in the factory, but shit happens!
Try a test carefully with acetone which will dissolve some plastics base contaminants. But dont get it on the rubber knobs.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by archwerks

Can't imagine that a person installling it would not see it in the factory, but shit happens!

+1

[sariggs1]

Well, I have exahusted all possbile cleaning agents with no luck. I ordered a replacement aluminum cap for $130 today. I did find that you don't have to order the set as I was told for $500, you can just by the pieces separately.

I still think BMW should have taken care of it under warranty. I hope you new guys check it out upon delivery!

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by sariggs1

I still think BMW should have taken care of it under warranty.

+1

[sariggs1]

For anyone wanting to replace or fix the aluminum running boards, it's not too hard. I just replaced the aluminum cap on my driver's door. Still mad that BMW didn't cover it but better than paying $500+. It was about a 30 minute job.

[Rayvkt]

Originally Posted by sariggs1

Well, I have exahusted all possbile cleaning agents with no luck. I ordered a replacement aluminum cap for $130 today. I did find that you don't have to order the set as I was told for $500, you can just by the pieces separately.

I still think BMW should have taken care of it under warranty. I hope you new guys check it out upon delivery!

Hi sariggs1, I'm from overseas and there aren't many X6 arround here, none of them have running boards. My X6 came without the aluminum cap - does the aluminium cap fit into the black plastic board that's currently on my car or are they different ones? Can I just order and install the $130 aluminium cap or must I order and replace the whole $500 set?

sample picture of X6 with no aluminium cap.

[sariggs1]

It doesn't fit onto the factor running boards. The whole unit replaces the existing units, sorry. You can't really tell but the aluminum part is recessed into the plastic.