Newbie :)
 

Hi,
I'm new on the forum, picked up a 2006 X5 sport 3.0d yesterday. Drives like a dream!
It was used as a business car in Ireland and has done a lot of motorway miles, but seems to have been looked after well.
I've been looking around it today so I can make a list of little things that need fixing (one of the clips on the rear sun blind).
Can anyone tell me the best thing to use for cleaning aluminium sills please? they have a few rust spots.
Looking forward to getting to know people on here :)
Helen

Welcome, buuuut...
:worthless:

Welcome to the forum Helen. You'll have to introduce yourself 'properly' by posting a pic of your new to you car. In the meantime though, I'm unsure what you mean when you say your aluminium sills have 'rust' spots? Do you mean they have some white corrosion (oxidized)? The phosphoric acid in most soft drinks (coke is full of this shit) can be effective when cleaning oxidized metals... Buy a 500 ml bottle, pour on the affected area, wait a couple of minutes, then gently clean with a scouring pad (the green pads used for dishes). Don't rub too hard, as you may leave scratches in the soft aluminium. Post some before and after pics so we can all see the results! :thumbup:

Yeah, as KVC said - be real careful with the aluminium. The anodised surface has the effect of "hardening" the surface of the aluminium - and it can and will scratch.

Welcome!

Newbie myself, lots to learn here! However the crowd is right, we needs pictures ( lots of them ) of your new ride:-)

Cheers
FxSlin

Try to google the aluminum cleaner and find your local store that selling it.

For example here in the USA:Autosol Aluminum Cleaner 500ml trigger bottle

I have used metal shining wading compounds for years. It is a gauze type material with the cleaner in it. Right now I am using Eagle one metal shine compound. Don't have to worry about scratching and won't harm paint.

Welcome. So jealous of not having a diesel here in the US.

Welcome, Helen. We in the states will all be insanely jealous if you tell us your diesel has a manual transmission ...

Helen for the rust on the running boards, just use a good iron dissolving wheel cleaner like Sonax Full Effect or 1Z Colourtec, it will neutralize and dissolve the rust and you can pressure wash it off. Its non corrosive and non-acidic.