Does anyone have any advice on what product(s) to use on the satin black trim around your windows? I could use wax, but I'm sure that I want them that shiny?

Don't use wax.

I use Lexol vynol cleaner/conditioner (Blue bottle). Although it doesn't last more than a couple weeks, I'm very happy with it over the years.

Also gummipledge is supposed to work great. You can buy it at the $tealer.:cool:

I use Original ArmourAll for all the black plastic trim on the outside. And it stays like that for a few weeks.......

I may not have described what surface that I'm talking about as well as I could have. My bad. I'm talking about the satin black painted metal surfaces that surround the window that make up the top part of the door that the window closes into. If the vinyl & rubber care products that you have described are still the way to go, please let me know. I just doesn'r seem right to use products made for vinyl or rubber on painted metal.

I've been using the Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner for years and love it. It would make sense that their vinyl & rubber conditioner would be great as well, but I'm going to have a tough time giving up my Meguire's #40...

My rule of thumb is:
If it's metal, polish and wax it.
Everything else, vinylex it (except for leather)

-E-

I agree with this rule.

I've been considering buying gummipledge. Anyone used this?

Someone enlighten me on gummipledge before I posted a new thread asking the same question.

I can't seem to find the info on this anywhere. Is it supposed to be the conditioner for the rubber seals?

-E-

Peanut Butter works great! (Stop laughing)

I applied Peanut Butter like wax (maybe rubbed it in a little more than wax) on my satin trim and it pulled off all of the oxidation and left a clean "just painted" look. I've washed it a couple times and it still looks great (you will want to wash your car right when you are done because the peanut butter gets on the windows and body, so don't bother trying to be careful). It got rid of all of the gray/white oxidation and left a clean look. I did not want to use wax/polish because my car is black, and I didn't want the trim to look as shiny as the body color.

I'm sure that Zymol will come out with a $30/ounce product called Pnute Creme, but choosy BMW owners will still choose JIF.

kowached, just to clarify, are you referring to the door pillars? They're satin black plastic on my 98 M3 sedan. Thanks.

I use gummipledge (spelling?) on my tyres, it didn'rpoduce wet look like other tyres shining product. I use Back to Black for other plastic parts (outside) of my car.

98M3_4,

Yes, I'm talking about the Satin Black trim around the windows and the windsheild wiper arms, not sure if 540i is plastic or metal, but it is Satin nonetheless. Still looks great after 2 rain's and 3 washes.

A white eraser works to get wax off of the trim, but i use BACK TO BLACK from Mothers its quick and its just a small thing that makes the car look new, and show-ready.