Center caps turned "milky"

[Bob O]

What the heck?? I washed the car Sat since it was about 60 around here and when I was doing the wheels I noticed that all four center caps had fogged over. I tried to clean them but it looks like it's not something just on the surface but has faded or something. The car's been in the garage for a month or so and the last time i washed it the caps were fine. There isn't anything in the garage that I can think of that would have caused this issue. And there doesn't seem to be anything else on the car that's affected adversly. Is it just age? Or somethig else perhaps? I think I know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway....any hope of bringing these back to life or am I stuck with getting new center caps?

Thanks for your help
Bob

[blue2000s]

Oxidation of the clear coat. They get hot. Mine respond very well to polishing.

[Bob O]

Thanks I'll try to polish them. What's strange is that I track the car and the brakes obviously get hot,but this is the first time anything like this has happened. Hopefully the polish will restore them

[Eric G]

Part of the discoloration is heat, part is chemical reaction with environment. Just be careful on removing it with any abrasive. Polishing compound and a cloth buffing wheel will do a great job.

[986_c6]

Mine is looking the same also and have noticed for years. I will get on the rubbing compound right away.

[tuanle16]

mine are doing it too. never thought of polishing. any results yet? i'd love to see before and after pics.

[blue2000s]

You don't need anything very abrasive. Rubbing compound would be way too much. At least to start with. Just use the same polish that you use on the body. It's just oxidized paint.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Bob O

What the heck?? I washed the car Sat since it was about 60 around here

I was in Kansas City on December 23 and the temperature gauge on the rental was 17...!

Needles to say I was eager to return to CA.. ha!

BTW, Kansas has the best BBQ..!

.

[Bob O]

Originally Posted by Gilles

I was in Kansas City on December 23 and the temperature gauge on the rental was 17...!

Needles to say I was eager to return to CA.. ha!

BTW, Kansas has the best BBQ..!

.

It's been quite warm since then. 60 predicted for Wed and Thurs! nice. And yes we do, contrary to what my buddies in the Lone Star State might say :dance:

[BoxsterSteve]

like 3M 5928. Worked great on my colour crested caps and works wonders on cloudy headlights on my DD Accord too.

[Bob O]

Originally Posted by BoxsterSteve

like 3M 5928. Worked great on my colour crested caps and works wonders on cloudy headlights on my DD Accord too.

Thanks. I'll see if I can find it, but I don't remember seeing anything with that "name" from 3M. I've got a little Menzerna left over...polish and glaze. I'll try them first and see how it goes.

[986_c6]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

You don't need anything very abrasive. Rubbing compound would be way too much. At least to start with. Just use the same polish that you use on the body. It's just oxidized paint.

Oh. ok.