Advice please

[runner911]

My 07 V8 Vantage which I purchased in January came with a polished aluminium grill.

I've tried endlessly to keep it clean with Solvolautosol and other similar products all to no avail because as soon as the grill dries having got water on it ,the metal becomes stained which effectively ruins the look of the car when viewed from the front.

Thinking of taking the grill off and getting it painted black with a silk finish.

Anyone else done this or would it be easier just to buy a new black grill ?

[tonyhall38]

i use my car wax on it to protect it from the wet....a quick wipe over and looks as good as new...

[cerealsurfer]

The Brightfinish grill can easily damage when using even slightly strong cleaning products. The dealer swapped out the one on my car when I purchased it at their cost and I now only use Zymol car shampoo. It grill would have cost £350!!.

A metal finisher such as http://www.premier-plating.co.uk/ may be able to re-finish - annodize etc.

I asked the dealer for the old grill as possibly going matt finish would be interesting along with anthracite wheels.

[WantanewV12V]

I admit that I have done it since new on both of my AM's but just drying it properly after washing seems to leave the grille looking very smart. I read of the problem before taking delivery of the first and consistently taking an extra couple of minutes after washing seems to tackle the problem. Not sure what happens if you inherit a car that has not been given the little attention that it needs.

[clorenzen]

Water and a microfibre cloth normally does the trick.

[Cipo]

clorenzen said:

Water and a microfibre cloth normally does the trick.

Agree with this post. Had mine changed under warranty (07MY) and has looked like new ever since

[mikey k]

I doubt anodising will work as it is not aluminium.
Powder coating might.
Mine came from the dealer coated with some sort of grease. Looked clean for 5 minutes thne looked terrible.
Water stains soon appeared after I removed it.

Polished mine with a dremel and metal polish.
The coated it with Zaino 2.
Now it washes fine and I dry it quick with a microfibre cloth