Grill refurbishment DIY

[Ferg]

Been doing some little jobs in preparation for TT. Thought I'd post up the results of some work on the grills

Before I started the grills were very grey, and the towing post was rusting, although solid.



I got the nitromors out on the grills themselves. Wasn't quite prepared for how potent is was, rubber gloves only! The result after lots of wire brushing and scrapping of the hard to reach places is below


Two coats of Red Oxide primer, couldn't find a spray so slapped it on with a small brush.


Finally 3 coats of Hamerite Satin Black. I also rust treated the tow post and driving lamp brackets (the bits you can see anyway). I tried to polish up the driving lamp covers but they're a bit past it so something to replace in the future.



I'm pleased with the finish, there are a few blemishes but you don't see them from a foot or so away.
It certainly looks better than it did.

[r10crw]

Looks great, I just did mine but with only one coat and its coming through already Yours should last

[Mikie711]

[KevD]

used hammerite as well, great minds think alike!

[Ferg]

I do hope it lasts, but to be honest I reckon a top coat with some paint thats a bit more flexible might be better. When struggling to refit the front grill to begin with, I did scrap the paint in a few places, not right through, but enough for me to think that it's wasn't amazingly resiliant. I expect I'll have to do this more than a few times during ownership.

[KevD]

DId back in march and it's still ok, probably only done 1000 miles though. did 2 coats with about an hour and half in between, left to dry overnight then did a third and left to dry again. The tow post is something I didn't do though and it needs done - did you just mask off around it and go easy on the hammerite spray or use a brush paint?

[KennyT]

Looks really good, amazing how much of a difference it makes.

I did mine a couple of months ago, just used a wire brush though, black spray paint and clear lacquer.

I masked the whole of the front end and sprayed the tow mount and everything else in there too!

[mwmackenzie]

Looks great Ferg! Mine are geting done this week along with the rest of the car

[BiggestNizzy]

I have these to do

I was going to do them silver but I am leaning towards chrome for the rears and black for the front

[Ferg]

did you just mask off around it and go easy on the hammerite spray or use a brush paint?

I copped out due to lack of available time and only did the tow pilar in Rust Master rust treatment after wire brushing it. It reacts with the rust and leaves a hard black rust proof surface. It's supposed to be a primer only, but the result was pretty good and it lives behind the grill so you can't tell it's not painted.

[Ferg]

Out of interest, has anyone painted the bit behind the grills at the back to improve the contrast?

[campbell]

Nice job.

Mine have been done a couple of times, about to be done again...quick wire brushing and a couple of coats of hammerite, not really a big job, I consider it a Service Item now

[mwmackenzie]

Out of interest, has anyone painted the bit behind the grills at the back to improve the contrast?

Came black on the early S1's... Mine may well be getting done to contrast

[Corranga]

Out of interest, has anyone painted the bit behind the grills at the back to improve the contrast?

My original silver clam has the bits in black. Looks good. I run the car without grills on the back for about 2 years, then when I went all green, I bought shiny stainless steel grilles and had them powder coater matt black.

I might have to do the strip and hammerite to my old ones and pop them on seloc classifieds...

Chris

[j2 lot]

Looks good Ferg - I am really needing to do the Europa grill as its looking distinctly ropey.