Front/rear window chrome major discoloration

[Rushfan1]

The windshield and rear window chrome (pseduo chrome as it is not really chrome) that surrounds the glass/black seal has turned from a dull silver to a purplelish and/or dark gray speckled color (it looks terrible on what is an original mint e21). There is one very small 1 inch horizontal "real" chrome piece for the windshield and 2 small "L" shaped pieces for the rear glass that still look great but the fake like chrome holding the front/rear glass has gone from dull to a really discolored mess.

I tried a cream on a small area that is usually used to clean the oxidation from copper and it had no affect. Any suggestions on what I could do? If this chrome was purchased as a replacement, how extensive of a job (i.e. what impact on the glass?) is it to install this chrome in between the rubber seal and the front/rear windows? I appreciate your responses.

[tyson 320i/323i]

the trim pieces are not too pricey and its a fairly easy job. no effect on the glass either. i did the windshield piece a few years ago and it took me about an hour from start to finish

[arshad76]

Hi Rushfan,

As Tyson said (is that you Mike?!) it's a fairly easy job. I had mine replaced a few years ago. You can buy the trim cheaply from a few places. I would recommend wallothnesch.com where I bought mine from, but they're already started to discolour so perhaps not the best quality.

I paid a windscreen guy £20 and he installed them on both front and rear screens with a special tool, although you could get away with doing it on a hot day, using some vaseline and a screwdriver, but I wouldn't chance slipping and damaging the window rubbers.

Hope that helps.