water marks on v8 vantage grille

[noddy2]

I'm a newbie to the Aston forum I've escaped from the TVR one so I'll try and behave.
My standard grille has what appear to be water marks on the top flat surface of the horizontal slats.I have tried rubbing these off with various compounds the most successful being Maguires Metal polish but when refitted they are still visible.Has anybody else had a similar problem?

Edited by noddy2 on Tuesday 18th January 21:01

[SHIFTY]

Are you sure it is not a reFlection from the underside of the slat above?

Another TVR owner (like myself) moves to an Aston, welcome.

Edited by SHIFTY on Wednesday 19th January 07:04

[flyingjase]

Interesting - yes I have the same issue, although I can't help as I haven't tried to solve it yet. I also fogot to look at the grill after it was valeted the other day (now filthy again)

Please let us know if you come up with something.

[UH-Matt]

I used to clean mine regularly with Autosol metal polish and they were just fine.

[mikey k]

Mine went like this the first time I washed it.
The dealer had put some sort of greasy treatment on it that was
A microfibre cloth and a bit of metal polish later and it hasn't done it since!

[alxce]

I replaced the original grille on my V8V with the bright finish version and I am still not convinced I did the right thing. I spent a lot of time polishing it up with Autoglym metal polish to remove any watermarks and even waxed it to make it easier to maintain once installed.

Now every time I wash the car I have to be quick and very fastidious in getting it dried and buffed with a microfibre cloth to avoid the reoccurrence of watermarks. I realise that a filtered water supply for the car wash would help but this isn't going to happen so speed and avoidance of it drying out too quickly in sunlight (rare, I know) seems to be the answer.

I know it seems a little extreme but it would be interesting to see what sort of result you would get using a compressed air gun to blow any moisture off it. Anyone tried this ?

The earlier response about reflection from the slats above is a good one as I have been through that, buffing away and not being able to move the (perceived) spots on the surface, duh !

[Captain Beaky]

There was a thread on this a while ago - may be some useful advice in there.

[Neil1300R]

alxce said:

I replaced the original grille on my V8V with the bright finish version and I am still not convinced I did the right thing. I spent a lot of time polishing it up with Autoglym metal polish to remove any watermarks and even waxed it to make it easier to maintain once installed.

Now every time I wash the car I have to be quick and very fastidious in getting it dried and buffed with a microfibre cloth to avoid the reoccurrence of watermarks. I realise that a filtered water supply for the car wash would help but this isn't going to happen so speed and avoidance of it drying out too quickly in sunlight (rare, I know) seems to be the answer.

I know it seems a little extreme but it would be interesting to see what sort of result you would get using a compressed air gun to blow any moisture off it. Anyone tried this ?

The earlier response about reflection from the slats above is a good one as I have been through that, buffing away and not being able to move the (perceived) spots on the surface, duh !

Filtered water only for final rinse
This:
http://www.monzacarcare.com/aquagleam-aqua-gleam-w...

[Speedraser]

I use a blower to dry the grille, then wipe off the little moisture that is left -- works well.

[MrOrange]

Neil1300R said:

Filtered water only for final rinse
This:
http://www.monzacarcare.com/aquagleam-aqua-gleam-w...

Ooooh. Does that actually do what it says? Not having to dry the car sounds like a brilliant idea.

[Neil1300R]

MrOrange said:

Neil1300R said:

Filtered water only for final rinse
This:
http://www.monzacarcare.com/aquagleam-aqua-gleam-w...

Ooooh. Does that actually do what it says? Not having to dry the car sounds like a brilliant idea.

[3200gt]

Anyone got any experience of longevity in a hard water area? Also, anyone know what the filter granules are and if you just replace these or the whole unit when saturated?

[MrOrange]

I feel a purchase coming on

[V8VKK]

Just use rain water for the final rinse through the pressure washer for a streak free finish

[Luckyluciano]

Rain water is not a good idea unless you live out in the sticks and have no air pollution.

I live in a hard water area and use snow foam and a pH neutral shampoo. As long as you wash it and dry it it stays fine.

[jayplay28]

Jeffs Werkstat Prime Strong is great for removing the water marks and it also leaves a layer of protection behind-

[noddy2]

Having had time to study said marks on grille a bit more,I can confirm they are not water marks as such and not reflections.
Cleaning with Maguires metal polish has not removed them, I can try the dremmel idea as suggested but obviously dont want to dammage the grille further.
Are the horizontals aluminium or just plastic look aluminium.

I've seen this sort of damage done to plastic car trim in the past when using
TFR(traffic film remover not diluted sufficiently)
I only got the car on the 28th Dec but didn't notice the marks until first wash after driving home in cold weather with lots of salt on the roads.
Washing was done with NXT car wash wax which I have used for some years with good results.

Edited by noddy2 on Monday 24th January 14:46

[alxce]

I think they are aluminium - I can't believe that plastic could inflict cuts to your fingers like those slats can

[mikey k]

I supect they are plastic vertical supports with metal horiziontal bars.

[GPM3D]

alxce said:

I replaced the original grille on my V8V with the bright finish version and I am still not convinced I did the right thing.

I had contemplated getting a 'spare' grille and either painting or powder coating it black - like the GT4 egg-crate version - this would also match the Black Inlet Plenum!!
Perhaps a trial with an aerosol can in Satin Black would be sufficent?
Graham