Blainer07

Hey I was just wondering if anyone knows if there is some defect on the finish of chrome strips that runs along top of the car. When I bought my 05 silver max I didn't notice it but as I washed it I realized the strips were almost white. the second part that runs along the back window looks like a brand new chrome finish. I polished the strips with chrome polish it brought the chrome out but not near what the rear strips look like......any ideas/comments?

Nismo4life07

iTrader: (1)

buy new strips. this is very common. many members have either gotten them changed through warranty or just taken them off and painted them a certain color.

dpeles1

iTrader: (1)

There is a service bulletin for this but they just say to use the 3M polish or a similar product. I use Mother's and that worked really well but unfortanetly I don't know of anything to get it to look exactly like the rear strips do.

cfr94

+1

dpeles1

iTrader: (1)

Aren't these a pain to replace?

Blainer07

can you buy these after market or is it a dealer-only part? i'll try the 3m polish to maybe get the shine out of them a little more. Anyone have any experience in replacing or taking the strips off? thanks!

morteljc

black it out

xorbitman

iTrader: (1)

I use chrome polisher...don't wax them it's a waste of time. Did not see service bulletin on this in Canada...I could check...any information on the service bulletin such as the number would be appreciated...mine are starting to discolor and crack. They cost $250 to replace!

morteljc

i think there's a thread here somewhere on how to take it off...

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

it is a thin fake plastic "chrome" under clear plastic. just compare it to the real chrome along the rear window.

only Fix is cover or paint it. mine even started to peel off. not matter how many times you replace it, the plastic still fades.

em_aych

dude, just paint em black. . .

dapimp44

hey i used mothers liquid metal or the mother chrome polish with paper towel and it worked great they lasted nice for about 8 months then just another quick 6 minute job and its back to sparkling

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

but it's not metal. it's plastic

dapimp44

the ones on my whips are metal plated on the roof of my 2005 i took em off and everything,worked like a charm i can send piks if youd like

morteljc

its easy to take off anyways... you just need to make sure that the strip dont warp, bend, or break.....

Blainer07

where'd you get the metal strips? ya post pictures if you would thanks man

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

this is my 3rd set. they are metal but covered with a thin plastic chrome. if it was real chrome, how come it fades so quickly while the short strips next to the rear window NEVER fade? The rear of my driver side strip even peeled off along the inner edge. I had to razor blade trim it off. Cheap flimsy plastic. Every year new 6th gens came onto the lot, they all were faded awaiting purchase.

I didnt do too good of a job with the vinyl: bubbles, slivers of "chrome" showing on the sides...
So I'm going to Krylon fusion them.

cgoug

Good to know, my 06 keeps fading more and more, will try the polish, but matching paint color sounds better.

bryantrachi

im having the same problem.

in the end, is there anyway to buy a new strip. or is it jus paint?

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

IF nissan will sell you strips, they are costly. re-install risks cracking your windshield AND they will simply dull again quickly.
I guess some that garage their max and protect the strips do not look as bad, but regardless, it will continue to dull.

morteljc

if you are gonna paint them, then its just removing and re-installing them once...

Lovemycar

I used a a chrome polish that worked well

azideam

I had mine replaced once under warranty at dealer, second time by local body shop while car was in for some paint work; both times prior to the TSB. Now they will no longer replace them, just polish. Clearcoat on the rails oxidizes. Rails are easy to bend and kink, and clips on roof can break, so a removal-replacement of original part is not suggested. Dealer had to order them three times before getting an undamaged set via FedEx.

Note: picked up my car from dealer yesterday for timing chain tensioner failure repair; asked advisor about the roof rails; he said they won't do it if outside of 3/36K. I think that's BS, as obviously '04s, '05s, and '06s which are covered in the TSB, are older than 3 years. He was all hip to sell me a $150 detail job to do them! Lying *****.

TSB below:

Mu33rto

iTrader: (1)

Same here...I'm tired of them fading...Just going to bondo them and paint over them.

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

i plan to tape off really well and use black Krylon Fusion followed by Krylon Clear.
If you are very patient with a helper, the vinyl could look really good. I kinda just threw them on for a decent job, but now painting since I was patient enough haha.

azideam

As I mentioned previously, my local dealership scoffed at the TSB when I inquired, said it's only covered 3/36! Rather odd as the TSB covers 2004-2008 and was issued Dec 2009. Anyway, not surprised. Lame.

Decided to go to local body shop and ask about it; they instead suggested using 3M Perfect It to polish the rails. We did one there with a microfiber cloth, and it worked great. I did the rest when I got home.