Hi,

Just bought my first X5 and it's a great car.

Whilst it's in very good condition, the running boards aluminium cover is tarnished.

Can anyone recommend a good cleaning and/or varnish lacquer to bring them back up .

Or can I buy just the aluminium covers and bolt them onto the existing framework.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

Im sure an X5 owner will be along to help soon

Welcome to BMWOC :)

Welcome Sean, hope someone can point you in the right direction, have you tried duraglit metal polisher, good luck. :D

Welcome Sean, hope someone can point you in the right direction, have you tried duraglit metal polisher, good luck. :D

Thanks - no I haven't tried Duraglit - thanks for the tip.

Hi mate and welcome from the X5 division :-)

I have the same problem with mine I have tried a couple of cleaning products on mine and although they are cleaner there not as I want them .

You can replace just the ally part but to buy new there a fortune

There was a set on eBay that looked nice but pick up only too far from me

Let me know how you get on and if I see a set or find a cleaner that works I in box you

The running board are next on my list when I get back from my holiday on Saturday

Hi mate and welcome from the X5 division :-)

I have the same problem with mine I have tried a couple of cleaning products on mine and although they are cleaner there not as I want them .

You can replace just the ally part but to buy new there a fortune

There was a set on eBay that looked nice but pick up only too far from me

Let me know how you get on and if I see a set or find a cleaner that works I in box you

The running board are next on my list when I get back from my holiday on Saturday

Hi Christian, thanks for your help mate. The running boards are quite bad, so if I can replace the aluminium covers, then this is probably best. If you can keep your eyes open and if I get to hear of a good cleaner or a good price for the aluminium covers or the complete running boards, then I will let you know.

Cheers

Try alloy wheel cleaner or even a god-damn Brillo Pad with some specially concentrated elbow grease :unsure:

I tryed brilo pad with as much elbo grease as the wife had not great results

Why not paint them until you get a good set ?

Been down that road they have loads of rubber buttons on them

Hi mate and welcome from the X5 division :-)

I have the same problem with mine I have tried a couple of cleaning products on mine and although they are cleaner there not as I want them .

You can replace just the ally part but to buy new there a fortune

There was a set on eBay that looked nice but pick up only too far from me

Let me know how you get on and if I see a set or find a cleaner that works I in box you

The running board are next on my list when I get back from my holiday on Saturday

Hi Mate, I tried Autosol over the weekend and the running boards are much better, but still not great.

NB. The car retailer said not to use alloy wheel cleaner, just in case anyone was thinking of doing so - due to acid content - cos its to get rid of brake dust on the alloys etc.

I tryed brilo pad with as much elbo grease as the wife had not great results

HaHa :lol: legend

Hi Mate, I tried Autosol over the weekend and the running boards are much better, but still not great.

NB. The car retailer said not to use alloy wheel cleaner, just in case anyone was thinking of doing so - due to acid content - cos its to get rid of brake dust on the alloys etc.

Car Retailer deals in Money only :P

He is right about wheel cleaner...its very acidic don't use it on soft aluminium, it WILL tarnish.

AutoSol is good also Brasso, you prob ruined it with an abrasive brillo pad now though mate.