Is there a way to fix this thin layer peeling away?
 

I am not even sure how to describe it, so I figured a photo would speak for itself. The thin layer that covers some plastics in my car is peeling away. It's in the passenger's door handle, the bottom of my steering wheel and other places. I was wondering if there was a way to fix it, although I highly doubt it. You guys would know best.

Thanks in advance!

By the way, I also have two other questions I've posted in different threads here and here.

plastidip that badboy.

From the picture, it looks like a damage from pet (dog or a cat), not a simple peeling due to aging.
One way to solve the problem is to replace those plastic covers.

I didn't know of that product until now. It may do the trick. Do you know for a fact that this would solve this specific problem? Any threads you remember reading, maybe DIY instructions or a video? Thanks!

I didn't post a photo of the wear on the steering wheel, but it definitely looks like an aging issue. And if you mean replacing the entire plastic piece, I think I'd rather stick with the damaged film. hahaha Unless devildawg712's suggestion above works. Thank you.

You can sand it with 400 grit wet paper and once all the paint is removed, sand again with 500 and then spray adhesion promoter and then a satin black trim paint. You can get it all from your local parts store. Or if you want to spend more, you can google soft touch interior paint and there are several sources out there, but you often have to purchase an amount that would out weigh the cost of just replacing it.

This is caused by several things. One, is the sweat that some people produce can be more potent than others, also hand lotions, suntan lotions and santitizer are probably the biggest source. The actual test that is performed on the interior paint is a Ban-Solea suntan lotion. I know several years ago there were other suntan lotions that seem to cause more damage to the paint if left on the surface. They do you many other source to test, but keeping up with them all would be nearly impossible. Not to say you are a stinky sweaty person, but if you purchased the car second my guess would be that it started from the previous owner.

Go to this web site and locate the BMW part number:

BMW Parts - Authentic OEM BMW Parts direct from BMW of South Atlanta | BMW of South Atlanta

Then search it through Google for the lowest price.

Trying to paint, recover, etc an interior part is a futile effort that WILL NOT Match OEM.

Just buy a new one or live with it.

BMW interiors are notorious for premature failure of interior components.

All in the name of "Saving of The Planet".

LOL @ stinky sweaty person! I got the car just like that from the used car lot. One owner only, so I guess he was stinky and sweaty. hahaha

I've done some googling based on your feedback and I came across what I think I will be using. Any experience? People who've used both Plasti Dip and this recommend this over PD, even though they also swear by PD. They claim PD chips and peels, whereas Dupli-Color really adheres to the surface and never comes off.

paran, I did just that and the driver door panel doesn't seem to have that grab compartment in my photo.

Door trim panel, front. Fits: 2008 BMW 5 Series (E12,E28,E34,E39,E60,E61) 535i Sedan Automatic | BMW of South Atlanta

What's odd is that it is shown in the passenger side.

Door trim panel, front / side airbag. Fits: 2008 BMW 5 Series (E12,E28,E34,E39,E60,E61) 535i Sedan Automatic | BMW of South Atlanta

OK, am I seeing this correctly? I know that's the passenger side because it has the diagonal leather-wrapped handle, which the driver's side doesn't have.

Confused... :mellow:

Even if the part is cheap, I'd have to worry about installing it. Plus we're not talking only here, but anywhere this thin film is used. I know it's happening in the bottom of my steering wheel as well as somewhere else I forgot. This is why I'm inclined to use a paint-type solution. I was hoping you guys would have some experience with the products mentioned above.

Thank you.

UPDATE: It looks like it's either this part or this one. I can't really tell the difference. But that's not the only place where this is happening. I'm posting photos of all 3 areas with this damage. Even if the parts were available (and I can't find steering wheel parts ANYWHERE on that site), I wonder how difficult it would be to remove existing ones and install the new ones and how much I could screw up the parts around. LOL Thoughts?

Razor, post up the last 7 digits of your vin and I can tell you exactly what part you need for the door handle. There are two different parts available depending on what options your car has. It's either the part number you posted, 51416983693, or it could be 51416983703. It's an inexpensive part so you could just go down to your local BMW dealer and they can look up the correct part and order it for you.

The center console lock button is, I think, part # 51167060035 and is about $36 list price.

The steering wheel finish piece is part # 32346775300 and is about $86 list price.

Check out ebmwparts or tomkinsonbmwparts for better pricing.

The center console lock button is something I would pull out, sand smooth, mask off and paint with Plasti-dip paint. Same for the steering wheel finish piece. Plasti-dip is super easy to use and very durable.

I would just replace the door handle part.

CK93108

Cost is a concern, but not nearly as big as being able to remove and re-install these parts easily.