BMW - "Rusty" Aluminuim Running Boards Help

[Carmo99]

Fellow PH's,
The running boards on my X5 are showing what are best descibed a "rust spots" (I know they are made of aluminuim so no need to correct my chemistry ;-). Do any of you have experience / suggestions on the best way of:
1. Cleaning them off - process, products etc?
2. Protecting them to minimise future oxidation?
Cheers

[off your marks]

hi mate

i know what you mean - wife has an x3 and when we got it (used) it had the same problem - they are caused from metal particles usually kicked back off the discs. they bond as they are nice and hot then rust. We had an x5 in for detailing last week and the boards were really bad!

After washing use a small piece of detailing clay to remove them. Avoid trying any chemicals as you will discolour the boards. Its an ongoing battle as nothing will stop them bonding, but a coat of say bilt hamber autobalm will give a fair old fight in protection

hope that helps

Matt

[Carmo99]

Thanks, it makes perfect sense now. I couldn't understand how aluminuim would "rust".