Those with Aluminum Trim interiors/soft tops

karmasabish · 04-21-2008, 12:27 PM

what do you use to keep the aluminum trim clean? Mine never quite shines like it did on the first day.

Also, what do you use to keep your soft tops clean and lint free?

BlackSapphireZ · 04-21-2008, 12:46 PM

tough luck on the trim...i have one from 2003 and havent' been able to clean it with anything.... lol

lint free? it's fabric so its going to attract lint. but you can use RaggTopp cleaner/protectant to keep the top in Good Shape!

Justinitus · 04-21-2008, 04:05 PM

I have the brushed alu trim and just wipe it with a damp cloth as I do the whole interior. I did get some stains on it at one point and used the BMW silicon spray to shift them.

Personally, I lightly (and I mean lightly...keep the jet far away!) powerwash my hood and it keeps it clean enough between using the BMW cleaner/proofer twice a year.

I also vacuum it regularly which keeps it clean and removes much of the fluff. I also bought one of those lint rollers you can wash and re-use for cleaning clothes, which works great.... although I think my neighbours think I'm a bit too anal now

Hawkeye · 04-21-2008, 04:23 PM

Why would you powerwash your hood? Yikes!

I have not had to clean mine yet but I remember reading about something that worked well... perhaps I can look it up after work.

karmasabish · 04-21-2008, 05:10 PM

i'm talking about the lint from the sponge i use, not from the top itself. In other news i found this link that might be helpful to some

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34595

BlackSapphireZ · 04-21-2008, 06:16 PM

pressure wash works. but sponge is not a fabric material so no lint there... now if you use like wool wash mitts then yes it will stick to the top

nyczyang27 · 04-21-2008, 08:13 PM

Armor-All Cleaning Wipes works great for the alum trim. Get it at any auto store.

BMWJZ4 · 04-21-2008, 08:40 PM

i use a damp towel for the alum trim..and for the top...i use a lint roller and ragg topp

rc'Z · 04-22-2008, 05:56 AM

I shop vac the top quite often, also before I wash it. Usually only hose the top off, no soap, sometimes use a soft split brissel brush to work out a spot. Will use RAGG TOP when it need it. I use the soft brush attachment on shop vac. You might want to partically lower the top and vaccum that part of the top that meets / lays under the trunk and fenders.

karmasabish · 04-22-2008, 01:00 PM

awesome! thanks for all the comments guys. looks like i'm done washing the top with a sponge...

jeremyjohn · 05-13-2008, 03:37 PM

ever thought of polishing the alu-trim?

BimmerZealot · 05-13-2008, 03:45 PM

I also wipe down my aluminum trim with a wet cloth, for some reason my trim is very fragile it nicks, scratches, etc. very easily so I avoid contact with it entirely. My top I vacuum and lint roll it.

Brucewonder · 05-14-2008, 07:14 PM

my 2003 z4 alum. trim n tops looks brand new. the only thing i use to clean the inside of my car is a damp cloth. as for the top i ragtop it twice i year

Reach · 05-14-2008, 09:07 PM

I have a standard kitchen sponge that I use exclusively to wipe the soft top down with. It works well so far, even strokes, going 1 direction only. I don't even do it that often. Also, the only 'cleaner' I've used is RaggTopp, which is followed by 3 coats of RaggTopp sealer after then cleaning wash has dried.

TopDown · 05-14-2008, 10:27 PM

Gel Gloss. Nothing else comes close to making the aluminum trim look new.

karmasabish · 05-15-2008, 01:00 PM

who sells gel gloss in the Thousand Oaks area?

TopDown · 05-15-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karmasabish

who sells gel gloss in the Thousand Oaks area?

Wife says she bought it at Ralph's. But you can buy it online;
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/cleaners.html

dngrCharlie · 05-16-2008, 09:37 AM

I don't usually clean my soft-top when I wash my car. It will get wet when I wash the rest of the car but I generally don't do anything to it. The only time, so far, that I've cleaned my soft-top I used the BMW stuff and it seemed to work well.

Normally I think the only thing you'd really want to do is use a lint brush once in a while.

wasupdu · 05-21-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopDown

Wife says she bought it at Ralph's. But you can buy it online;
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/cleaners.html

Ralph's? I'm a huge "Big Lebowski" fan and I never thought Ralph's actually existed.
(sorry for the threadjack...I have nothing worthwhile to add)

TopDown · 05-21-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasupdu

Ralph's? I'm a huge "Big Lebowski" fan and I never thought Ralph's actually existed.
(sorry for the threadjack...I have nothing worthwhile to add)

Ralph's does exist - and I'm a "Big Lebowski" fan too. Compare Jeff Bridges' character in "Iron Man" to see get an idea of his acting range.

04-21-2008, 12:27 PM	#1
karmasabish Lieutenant 37 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Those with Aluminum Trim interiors/soft tops what do you use to keep the aluminum trim clean? Mine never quite shines like it did on the first day. Also, what do you use to keep your soft tops clean and lint free?
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04-21-2008, 12:46 PM	#2
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	tough luck on the trim...i have one from 2003 and havent' been able to clean it with anything.... lol lint free? it's fabric so its going to attract lint. but you can use RaggTopp cleaner/protectant to keep the top in Good Shape! __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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04-21-2008, 04:05 PM	#3
Justinitus Simply Handsome... 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 2.0i Sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fermanagh, Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	I have the brushed alu trim and just wipe it with a damp cloth as I do the whole interior. I did get some stains on it at one point and used the BMW silicon spray to shift them. Personally, I lightly (and I mean lightly...keep the jet far away!) powerwash my hood and it keeps it clean enough between using the BMW cleaner/proofer twice a year. I also vacuum it regularly which keeps it clean and removes much of the fluff. I also bought one of those lint rollers you can wash and re-use for cleaning clothes, which works great.... although I think my neighbours think I'm a bit too anal now __________________ Jus Full tank...Z4... empty road... Marvellous!!
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04-21-2008, 04:23 PM	#4
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	Why would you powerwash your hood? Yikes! I have not had to clean mine yet but I remember reading about something that worked well... perhaps I can look it up after work. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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04-21-2008, 05:10 PM	#5
karmasabish Lieutenant 37 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	i'm talking about the lint from the sponge i use, not from the top itself. In other news i found this link that might be helpful to some http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34595
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04-21-2008, 06:16 PM	#6
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	pressure wash works. but sponge is not a fabric material so no lint there... now if you use like wool wash mitts then yes it will stick to the top __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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04-21-2008, 08:13 PM	#7
nyczyang27 Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 267 Posts Drives: z4 3.0si / 328xi Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Armor-All Cleaning Wipes works great for the alum trim. Get it at any auto store. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Step/Premium/Xenon/HeatedSeats/AutoTop/M6Wheels 2007 328xi Step/Premium/Sport/Xenon
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04-21-2008, 08:40 PM	#8
BMWJZ4 Captain 49 Rep 683 Posts Drives: '12 Fiat 500 Sport Join Date: May 2007 Location: SI, NY iTrader: (0)	i use a damp towel for the alum trim..and for the top...i use a lint roller and ragg topp
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04-22-2008, 05:56 AM	#9
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I shop vac the top quite often, also before I wash it. Usually only hose the top off, no soap, sometimes use a soft split brissel brush to work out a spot. Will use RAGG TOP when it need it. I use the soft brush attachment on shop vac. You might want to partically lower the top and vaccum that part of the top that meets / lays under the trunk and fenders.
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04-22-2008, 01:00 PM	#10
karmasabish Lieutenant 37 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	awesome! thanks for all the comments guys. looks like i'm done washing the top with a sponge...
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05-13-2008, 03:37 PM	#11
jeremyjohn Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: bmw z4 2.5i Join Date: May 2008 Location: dubai,united arab emirates iTrader: (0)	ever thought of polishing the alu-trim?
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05-13-2008, 03:45 PM	#12
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	I also wipe down my aluminum trim with a wet cloth, for some reason my trim is very fragile it nicks, scratches, etc. very easily so I avoid contact with it entirely. My top I vacuum and lint roll it.
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05-14-2008, 07:14 PM	#13
Brucewonder Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,541 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 yea boi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Socal iTrader: (4)	my 2003 z4 alum. trim n tops looks brand new. the only thing i use to clean the inside of my car is a damp cloth. as for the top i ragtop it twice i year __________________ 2011.5 E92 ///M3 SSII/FR
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05-14-2008, 09:07 PM	#14
Reach gone baby gone 382 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Location, Location. iTrader: (0)	I have a standard kitchen sponge that I use exclusively to wipe the soft top down with. It works well so far, even strokes, going 1 direction only. I don't even do it that often. Also, the only 'cleaner' I've used is RaggTopp, which is followed by 3 coats of RaggTopp sealer after then cleaning wash has dried.
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05-14-2008, 10:27 PM	#15
TopDown Captain 90 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 2017 G30 540i M Sport Join Date: May 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 BMW Z3 Roadster [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i Coupe [0.00] 2012 BMW 335i Sedan [0.00] 2006 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2017 BMW 540i [0.00] 2015 BMW 428 Gran C ... [0.00]	Gel Gloss. Nothing else comes close to making the aluminum trim look new. __________________ Mine G30 540i M Sport Hers F36 440i Gran Coupe
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05-15-2008, 01:00 PM	#16
karmasabish Lieutenant 37 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	who sells gel gloss in the Thousand Oaks area?
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05-16-2008, 09:37 AM	#18
dngrCharlie Enlisted Member 2 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Silver Grey Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	I don't usually clean my soft-top when I wash my car. It will get wet when I wash the rest of the car but I generally don't do anything to it. The only time, so far, that I've cleaned my soft-top I used the BMW stuff and it seemed to work well. Normally I think the only thing you'd really want to do is use a lint brush once in a while.
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