Trim looks like crap

[Revvdmedia]

I suggest anyone getting their dark chrome trim replaced, get a layer of long lasting paint sealant on it as soon as you can. I did this with mine recently, there was definitely no harm doing so, it might help with longevity giving a sacrificial layer on top.

 

[me&stinger]

That's not good.

After that side trim is cleared up/fixed, would ceramic coating prevent it from tarnishing?

I love detailing and keeping my Stinger clean, but the finish on the dark chrome should hold up better and there is no excuse or reason for the paint fade/cracking. I took mine in to dealership for the chrome and the roof rail, after a few visits they have agreed to replace both. I will post when parts have been replaced. There is a backorder on the painted roof rail pieces.View attachment 33703 View attachment 33704

That's unacceptable. Kia or the dealership should take care of this issue, not the customer. Please let us know how it goes. Good luck!

 

[Kyle_Gates]

So, cant find the post I originally erm, posted in, but saw this and figured I would chime in. My Stinger (2018 GT2) had this EAXCT same issue. I went in, showed the dealer, they took a look and said it'd be covered under warranty and that they had seen it before on some other Stingers. Took it in yesterday and got it back today.

Some before/after shots:

 

[MerlintheMad]

So, cant find the post I originally erm, posted in, but saw this and figured I would chime in. My Stinger (2018 GT2) had this EAXCT same issue. I went in, showed the dealer, they took a look and said it'd be covered under warranty and that they had seen it before on some other Stingers. Took it in yesterday and got it back today.

Some before/after shots:

View attachment 35389 View attachment 35391 View attachment 35392 View attachment 35394 View attachment 35395 View attachment 35397

Good going. Your dealer sounds like a decent one too. Any ideas from your end how this happened?

 

[Revvdmedia]

I'd really like to see if anyone could keep the trim, especially some as bad as Kyle_Gates' and see what the outcome would be from polishing. I know some have done it on their cars, but a sample that would otherwise be discarded might make a good sacrificial experiment.

Lighting may play a role, but it looks like the dark chrome typically becomes lighter in the "damaged" area. I am genuinely interested in knowing definitively what is causing this. I'm certain it is chemical reaction of some sort, but to what?

 

[Cashie]

I'm certain it is chemical reaction of some sort, but to what?

I agree, I think it's either car washing or some sort of environmental fallout.

 

[me&stinger]

So, cant find the post I originally erm, posted in, but saw this and figured I would chime in. My Stinger (2018 GT2) had this EAXCT same issue. I went in, showed the dealer, they took a look and said it'd be covered under warranty and that they had seen it before on some other Stingers. Took it in yesterday and got it back today.

Some before/after shots:

View attachment 35389 View attachment 35391 View attachment 35392 View attachment 35394 View attachment 35395 View attachment 35397

The after looks really good!

Did they replace it with a new trim? Did the dealer by any chance say what causes the trims to go bad like that?

 

[Nasscar]

So, cant find the post I originally erm, posted in, but saw this and figured I would chime in. My Stinger (2018 GT2) had this EAXCT same issue. I went in, showed the dealer, they took a look and said it'd be covered under warranty and that they had seen it before on some other Stingers. Took it in yesterday and got it back today.

Some before/after shots:

View attachment 35389 View attachment 35391 View attachment 35392 View attachment 35394 View attachment 35395 View attachment 35397

Looking good now. Well done to the dealer.

 

[Kyle_Gates]

Good going. Your dealer sounds like a decent one too. Any ideas from your end how this happened?

Yeah so far my local dealer has been great. I also managed to acquire a very minor surface scratch the entire width of my trunk lid and they took care of that as well (fer 0$). As for how it happened, not a clue. Do I keep the car clean, yes! Do I do anything beyond Adam.s Car Shampoo n water, not really. Haven't ever used an auto wash yet so can't be that. But while I love the car, I do also, you know, drive it (and in Denver that does include in 12+ inches of snow), so, perhaps road chems can be blamed? Got me. I wonder if it will happen again or not.

 

[westcoastGT]

Yeah so far my local dealer has been great. I also managed to acquire a very minor surface scratch the entire width of my trunk lid and they took care of that as well (fer 0$). As for how it happened, not a clue. Do I keep the car clean, yes! Do I do anything beyond Adam.s Car Shampoo n water, not really. Haven't ever used an auto wash yet so can't be that. But while I love the car, I do also, you know, drive it (and in Denver that does include in 12+ inches of snow), so, perhaps road chems can be blamed? Got me. I wonder if it will happen again or not.

Keep your trim waxed and it will withstand the elements , any cleaner wax will remove spots and protect .

 

[me&stinger]

View attachment 31179 View attachment 31180 View attachment 31181 View attachment 31182 View attachment 31183 View attachment 31184
The trim down both sides has started to look like crap....there was slight discoloration in a couple spots when I purchased it about 6 weeks ago.....I pay for 6 months at a time for unlimited car washes at a car wash company that has multiple locations that does touch the car, after every car wash the trim hadn’t really changed much but could tell it was getting worse...then I went to a touch less car wash and after the wash my trim basically looked like this....I’ve read about some people compounding it and using other products on it but looks like I’m just gonna have the guy who does all the work on my car wrap it gloss black and be done with it!!!

How long did it take the dealer to send the complaint to Kia warranty to fixing the trim?

 

[Stouder]

How long did it take the dealer to send the complaint to Kia warranty to fixing the trim?

I never took it to the dealer....I used a compound and a polish on it....it made the trim look new again but it definitely lightened it up....so I just wrapped the trim gloss black so I didn’t have to mess with it anymore!

 

[me&stinger]

I never took it to the dealer....I used a compound and a polish on it....it made the trim look new again but it definitely lightened it up....so I just wrapped the trim gloss black so I didn’t have to mess with it anymore!

Nice, a DIY kind of person!

I wonder how much of an issue this is for the Stinger? Like even if the trim gets replaced, what's to say that the corrosion or whatever that is won't come back. Though if there was a carbon fiber trim I'd be interested.

 

[westcoastGT]

Nice, a DIY kind of person!

I wonder how much of an issue this is for the Stinger? Like even if the trim gets replaced, what's to say that the corrosion or whatever that is won't come back. Though if there was a carbon fiber trim I'd be interested.

just get it trimmed with CF Vinyl , easy peazy

 

[me&stinger]

just get it trimmed with CF Vinyl , easy peazy

Is that the peel I see people doing these days?

 

[westcoastGT]

Is that the peel I see people doing these days?

yes

 

[me&stinger]

yes

The application looks easy enough but I don't want to take the chance and wreck stuff on a new car.

 

[westcoastGT]

The application looks easy enough but I don't want to take the chance and wreck stuff on a new car.

there are vinyl shops everywhere if you don't feel comfortable , I just had the roof done on my wifes Sportage for $475 ......trim is much less ......c'mon just do it , if you don't like it , just peel it off ..............

 

[me&stinger]

there are vinyl shops everywhere if you don't feel comfortable , I just had the roof done on my wifes Sportage for $475 ......trim is much less ......c'mon just do it , if you don't like it , just peel it off ..............

I'm adding too many on the to-do list I don't know which to do first haha.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

Ceramic coat the whole exterior, including glass and black trim. It even works well on matte black trim; it won't leave matte pieces glossy as long as you buff off the excess coating, but it will make glass and glossy trim really glossy just like it does paint. When I get my Stinger I plan to ceramic coat all the things, including trim, engine bay, and engine components I can reach (both composite/plastic and aluminum).