XSeries-forum

Hello Forum Members,

I have just picked up my 2nd E53 X5 this week, a Diesel 56 plate. I had a 4.4 V8 Petrol which I sold 3 years ago. I have found forums very useful in the past so hope to become part of your community here.
Im delighted with my new car, only problem I have so far is that the side steps/runner boards seem to have some corrosion(lots of black pit marks). I have tried auto-sol on them and plenty of elbow grease and they have helped but not completely removed the marks. Any ideas.....?

Thanks
Adam

Hi Adam ane welcome

Sorry I can not help with your side steps but I am sure someone on here will have some ideas.


Rich...

Thanks, Ive been searching posts and people seem to suggest taking grommets out and using wire wool and auto-sol, will the wire wool not scratch them?

The black rubber grommets are replaceable and pence from the dealer. You could remove them all and then clean them properly, maybe use a scotch bright pad or even a light sanding with some fine wet and dry. Seal it then replace the black grommets.
You could always paint them too. One member here painted them mat black.

Welcome aboard.

Try Wonder Wheels on them with a green sponge. Worked a treat for me before I gloss blacked them.

I have (1st masked black trim), then used G3 rubbing compound with water and a nail/tooth brush then washed rinsed then gone over with Autosol. I have also had some success with WD40, again agitating with either a cloth or a soft brush. The WD40 removes stubborn marks as well as white residue. Maybe try fairy liquid mixed in strong with very hot water.

No exact science or sequence it's a a case of exfoliating the surface as much as you dare and being able to recover some sort of shine thereafter.


I would personally try to avoid scotchbrite or similar abrasive scourer unless confident you can recover the shine/sheen afterwards.

It can take several goes to get them to where you want them cosmetically.

Fairy liquid may seem frowned against but it is good for removing surface marks/products.

If you damage/remove any factory laquer you will need to keep on top of them more once sorted as they will go off again if left exposed to elements. Tha said I dont recall seeing specific layers of laquer lifting off.

WD40 keeps water and muck at bay but can make for a slippery surface unless wiped dry..........Purists will advise against WD40 as it is not meant to be kind to rubber, (grommets), but mine are still ok.

When I got mine a couple of months ago I cleaned the running boards with Wonder Wheels albeit I was a bit reticent about using it. They actually came up really well but I wouldn't use it on a regular basis to be honest, it's bound to eventually whiten the finish just as it does with wheels.

My left hand side board had fairly deep scores in it which weren't going to come out without some harsh sanding back, it was hard to work out what had caused the marks in the first place. I got lucky on ebay and bought a brand new one to replace it for £90, the seller had 2 left ones that he had bought from a BMW dealer as surplus stock.

Hello and welcome to the Forum...

Welcome!