Chalking outer door handles..

[Tobias MB]

Just bought a 1998 C280Sport with only 14,850 miles on it. Azure blue with grey leather and immaculate except for one problem which are the door handles. Car has been kept in a garage but the outer door handles have a chalking patina to them. This white chalking on a black handle stands out horribly. Checked the archives and never saw anything relating to this problem.

What can be done to restore them and why did the come into this state of fading??

Thanx

Tobias MB

[ss109]

When I purchased my E320 (used), it had the same problem. I assume it was from neglect (door handle wise) and letting wax dry on them. Anyway, get some Mother's Back to Black or try some Meguiar's Endurance for a temporary fix.

[Ed Richardson]

I have had excellent results with Black Chrome by Turtle Wax. Ed

[Lee Scheeler]

Best results I've found are by putting on a rubber glove and massaging Endurance into the finish with your finger until it turns dark again. Let dry, buff, repeat as needed until its back to new looking. I've restored the handles on Benzmac's ex-16v from light grey this way. Its a PITA (okay fingers) but it works.

Hope this helps...Lee