How to paint or fix interior Brush Metal Sections?

[Aronsonstack]

Hi,

This is my first post! I'm a proud owner of a brandnew 07 Murano SL. Not sure how to describe my problem, it's not a major problem, more like an imperfection. I would consider myself a novice when it comes to cars so please excuse me because I do not know the lingo.

Anyway, the silver color parts in the interior of our Murano.... I'm assuming it's brush metal, right? You know where you shift your gears, the cup holder, etc. Brush metal, right? Anyway, we had a little accident and scratched the brush metal badly where the cup holder is and it looks very ugly.

Much like brass and silver cleaners that can wipe away rust. Is there something similar for brush metal? Is there something I can buy to wipe and buff the scratch away? If so, what is it called and where can I get it?

Your help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[njjoe]

Aronsonstack-

The material in question is brushed aluminum. As you can tell it is extremely soft and scratches easily. Once scratched there is little you can do while the piece is on the car. If you are desperate, you could possibly get a Dremel with a polishing wheel and try to work on the scratch(es), but I am not sure how successful that would be.

Seeing that your MO is relatively new, I suggest you contact the dealer and see if you can work out a deal to replace the piece without him charging you an arm and a leg.

Good luck.

-njjoe

[Aronsonstack]

Originally posted by njjoe
Aronsonstack-

The material in question is brushed aluminum. As you can tell it is extremely soft and scratches easily. Once scratched there is little you can do while the piece is on the car. If you are desperate, you could possibly get a Dremel with a polishing wheel and try to work on the scratch(es), but I am not sure how successful that would be.

Seeing that your MO is relatively new, I suggest you contact the dealer and see if you can work out a deal to replace the piece without him charging you an arm and a leg.

Good luck.

-njjoe

Thanx for the advice.

I've been looking in to those scratch removers for cars as seen on tv. I guess these scratch removers for paint do not apply or would not be effective for brush aluminum?

I won't go through the trouble of just replacing one piece. I think if I can't remove the scratch, I'll just wait till more scratches occur and just buy a whole new dash kit when the time comes.

[njjoe]

Aronsonstack-

You are right. Those kits are for scratches in the paint, not the base metal.

I would still contact your dealer. If he is feeling benevolent he may just replace it as goodwill since you just plunked down $30+K a few weeks ago. You never know. It's worth a phone call.

-njjoe

[Halo]

That aluminum is also clear anodized (to keep it from oxidizing). If you rub it with compound or a grinder (Dremel etc) you will remove the ano. Oxidized aluminum has a real ghetto white color to it. I'd just leave it alone.

[njjoe]

Originally posted by Halo
Oxidized aluminum has a real ghetto white color to it. I'd just leave it alone.

Ghetto white? I looked up that color on a paint chart but couldn't find it. Care to elaborate?

-njjoe

[Tyler_Canada]

It doesn't look like aluminum, it looks like white ashes... you know, ghetto oxidized wood?

[Beng]

Another option you could look at is the wood trim kit from the dealer. As it is an accessory it might be cheaper than a replacement part. Some members here have it installed and it really is a matter of taste.