Styling Chrome paint or chrome plated? Radiator Grill

[vladof]

Hi,

After the accident, the radiator grill of my Stilo was changed to what it looked to be an OEM chromed grill.

The problem is that after only 3 months, the grill now looks like the pictures below.

Can I do anything to it? Is there any chance to paint it somehow?

 

[Davren]

I suspect the company that did the repair for you would have to return it to their supplier and exchange it for a new one.

 

[vladof]

Thanks for the reply Dave. I almost had to sue the company that did the repairs for new headlights, because they gave me the ones without the fog lamps. I could do that, and I would most definitely win, but if I'm lucky I would get a new grill by the end of March 2012.

I'm tired of fighting, been doing so from April and only ended on the middle of October. Is there any chance of painting the chrome? Or would it just turn out the same after a while?

Do you, by any chance, know the code for the later 2005 grill? I think I'm better off just buying a new one if this doesn't work out.

 

[Davren]

I don't think there is any paint that would adhere to chrome successfully. You would need to rub it down with fine wet and dry paper, then prime and paint it. Rubbing it down would be difficult unless you can dismantle the chrome parts from the grille.

The latest grille part number I can find on ePER is 41746421 (£62.07 GBP +Tax). I'm not sure if that is the chrome one. It's item 2 in this picture and is listed for model year 2006.
.

 

[gerhardj]

Hi Vladof,

By change I took mine off during the week-end because the black was starting to look a bid faded. After lightly sanding it with water-paper I just re-sprayed it with matt black. But be very careful when you remove it, as at the bottom of the grill it have about four clips, which I managed to break while taking it off.

Gerhard.

 

[vladof]

Hi Gerhardj,

Thank you for your reply. I would much rather keep the chrome as i think it looks better. As an alternative, and because it is not very expensive, I would have bought the later 2006 grill which is very good looking. Aren't you afraid the paint will just chip off? Could you also post a picture so we can see the result maybe?

Hi Dave.

Thank you for the details. Unfortunately the dealer doesn't really know which one is the good one so if I go alone only with the provided code, there's a high chance I will end up with a standard new grill.

Maybe someone on this forum has the new grill installed and is aware of the product code. I would highly appreciate it.

 

[gerhardj]

Will post some after photo's, as I did not take before one's. Should not chip or flake off, as I sanded it well before painting it.

 

[gerhardj]

Will post some after photo's, as I did not take before one's. Should not chip or flake off, as I sanded it well before painting it.

Here the promised "after" photo.

 

[vladof]

It looks great. The paint job is immaculate.

It a shame to get rid of the chrome grill and cover it with black paint. The chrome grill was an option but I guess it's either that or getting rid of it completely. Weren't you tempted to paint it white? I am tempted to paint it blue.

 

[gerhardj]

Yes the temptation was there. But then I had some black paint available, and to do the white I had to buy some. Preparation, as in all, is the secret.

 

[GrandeGuy]

If it's real chrome then get some fine polish, like metal polish and rub it back to shiny, you've nothing to loose trying :shrug:
One other thing to do it's take it to a body shop get them to rub it down then put some lacquer on it to seal it, it looks like oxidization like them diamond cut alloys do.
If it was mine i'd try polish it.

 

[vladof]

@GrandeGuy I don't know if it's real chrome or not as I don't really know if it's OEM or not.. I think it's just paint. I have some paint polish will that do or do I need to buy special polish? It looks like the real deal though.

I think it's not oxidized but simply torn off for some reason.