poll: running board stains
 

hi, i know this has been discussed here but we should get an idea how widespread the problem is and what the responses from bmw have been..
please post your experience with dealing with bmw regarding the staining and/or oxidation on the aluminum runnning boards.
my experience is that the bmw rep will not support a warranty claim as he contends that local car wash was the cause.
also please post if you found a PERMANENT solution to cleaning these stains.

thought i would bump this up to see if others would like to vote. thank you.

I have tried several "cleaning/polishing" solutions but none are permanent. The problem persists every time I wash the car. I am not happy about this to say the least. I like my car very clean so this is a big problem for me. I am thinking the boards are a recall item. I have not pushed BMW to replace them...yet! I was told by one guy that Flitz metal polish helped him but I have yet to me anyone who has a permanent solution. My husband definitely thinks it's a huge design flaw. Keep me posted.

i have used meguiars cleaner wax as i was afraid to use what appeared to be harsher metal polishes.
i have not washed the truck since waxing the boards so i dont know the result.
fwiw the bmw rep was extremely uncooperative.
i put up the poll to try to get some anectodal evidence that these are a problem for numerous buyers.

:iagree: The running boards should be a recall item. I just got my E70 a few days ago and this is the first time that I actually got a close look at the running boards. I'm one of the few people who actually got one because I will use it (loading bikes and skis on the roof). I installed my roof rack this weekend and noticed my shoe stains on the running board. It was not easy to remove a simple shoe print. I have to really give it some effort and use an Armour All to get it out. For a part that you actually have to step on, BMW used the worst possible finish on the running board. I can just imagine when it starts to rain here on the Los Angeles freeways and I get all that nasty oil slick and other crap from the road on the running boards. It will be a real pain to get em off. Now I totally understand all these talks about the stain from the car wash. I will definitely complaint to BMWNA about this and hopefully others will do so to make them think about it. I don't think they will recall them since it's not really a safety issue. They might replace them, but they will replace it with the same running boards unless they design a different one for 08 or 09. Will not help me to take em off and demand a refund since I need it and I like the looks also.

3 members claimed to permanently solve this problem.
please come forward with your solutions. thanks!

I think those members had the boards replace and do not go to car washes

or used a cleaner to get off the stains and not go to car washes anymore.

I think they will say the car wash is the issue. I hope they come forward with something easier and better since I don't believe the running boards should be this high maintenance

I wasnt one of these people, but I dont go to the car wash and dont have a problem. The chemicals from a car wash are nasty and besides stripping the zaino from your car leave ugly marks on the painted trim around the windows.

Hand wash your car if you want it to look nice.

I don't think it's the car wash. I'm almost positive it's the finish.

Just to add, my running board has another problem beside staining.

I was stepping on it for an extended period to install a roof rack and when I was cleaning the foot marks, I noticed that the black rubber dimples were sinking. If you look closely, the rubber part comes loose and you can actually push it down. I don't think this is normal since the rubber part is there for safety reason and it would not server it's purpose if they all come loose and sink on the board. My dealer will be replacing them this weekend.

I think the entire design and quality of the running board is pure crap. :thumbdown

can you post a picture of what you guys are talking about

sorry i dont quite buy that. i have owned a number of other hi end cars with a variety of trim and finishes over the years and have had no damage issues from the hand car washes that i use. if the car needs to be waxed once or twice a year more often because of it , no big deal. this problem shouldnt happen , period.

what exactly is the problem...can you post a photo?

I know this post is about stains but I'm posting this photo to show another problem with the running boards. As you can see from the photo, the rubber dimples with the red lines are showing flat, almost at the same level as the silver surface. The rubber with the red circle shows how it should be. This happened after I stepped on it for an extended period while installing a roof rack. You can tell it's broken because you can actually press the rubber and it will move back. I don't think it's supposed to do that. I tell you, there's something wrong with these boards.

I have to agree with the person who said that this is NOT a car wash issue. We noticed the stains on the passenger side running board when the car was only one month old. The car had NEVER been to a car wash, yet the stains started to appear. It seems almost like chemical etching. The only thing I can remember is the fact that the running board was covered with mud when we went skiing........and when I washed off the mud the stains appeared. The funny thing is that the driver's side running board was also covered with mud, yet it has no stains so far.

I haven't tried any polishes yet. If it is truly water spots then there is hope of possibly removing them with certain polishes/products........but if they have been etched then I can't see any way of removing them.

i honestly haven't noticed anything unusual... i've had my truck for 2 months and have had it "car washed" about 4-5 times.... (usually on weekends when i go out)

i do notice a small reddish stain on the boards after a wash but it's aluminum and nothing more than typical water stain which comes off easily with a rag...

i guess the main thing is to not let it sit for too long.... a water stain on aluminum can ultimately turn into a rust problem...

again, wipe it off with some polish or stain remover and you shouldn't have any problems....

i use a little of the same spray wax that i apply on the vehicle's finish...(just a quick pass on the boards right before discarding the rag....enough to clean it but not enough to make it slippery)

seems to work for me....

honestly, I "gave up" pursuing with the dealer instead I use a "dressing" to keep them polished looking. But it's one of those things where you have to do it almost every time you wash the car. In my case I wash my car pretty much weekly. I am fine putting the dressing on....just like you do for tires.

I have the problem on my 2008 X5 4.8i...my BMW dealer is working on it as we speak with the manufacturer, but I am not holding my breath on a permanent resolution other than replacing them with the same crap....

I have an 09 and the running boards look terrible. Cleaning and polishing doesn't really help. I noticed this thread died. Are the new ones better? Or did everyone just stop complaining? Any insight is appreciated.

This is why i never take my car to the carwash. Wash it once or twice a week by hand :)

I would recommend asking Phil the detailing forum sponsor if he knows of any solutions...

Yeah mine aren't bad there's a little orange residue around the dimple but I use Armor All Extreme Shine on all the lower black trim including the running boards and it disappears.

BMW replaced mine (2009) as there was a SI B for them.

I'm curious if the people with problems have tried a stainless steel cleaner? Stainless steel appliances are notoriously hard to clean, so there are all sorts of special cleaners for them. For example simple fingerprints won't even come off with soap and water.

I use a stainless steel cleaner that I got from home depot on my home appliances. Maybe something like that would work to clean up the running boards.

Would love to know / get a PDF copy of the SIB so I could take it my dealer.

:iagree:

I just bought a 09.... I would love the reference number of the SIB please....

I just wish you could take them apart like the e53. I tried on these and could not make it happed or find a DIY (searched a l o t). I did reduce the grime and staining using Tuff Stuff, its an auto carpet cleaner but the stuff is awesome, I use it every week on my exhaust tips.

Bumping to see if anyone has the SIB

Bueller?