Virage/DB9.2 - front grille disassembly

[Phil _L]

Good Morning,

Does anyone know how to disassemble the front grille of a Virage/DB9.2? Like some others, mine is milky in appearance, and I'd like to re-polish and seal. However, the grille looks like it is held together with rivets? If I drill these out, how do I put it back together again? The plastic parts also need refurbishing.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks, picture below.

Phil.

[V12Virage]

Having dismantled my own Virage grill, you are correct in thinking that the rivets will have to be drilled out (carefully) and then replaced for reassembly. That said, you may be disappointed if you are hoping to polish out the spots/milkiness in the slats. These seem to be caused by a problem either in the clearcoat or the anodizing itself and cannot be readliy removed without damaging the finish. I wound up getting a good deal on a new grill and so replaced mine completely and am now trying to see how to refinish the old one. It looks as though I will end up taking it back to bare metal and either polishing and then clearcoating it, or having it powder-coated. I will have an extra one though...Good luck!

[Phil _L]

Thanks for the comment - I'm not far from Chicane AM at Hook - I might pop over there in the next couple of weeks to see what they say...

...if I get any info - I'll let you know.

Thanks again.

[reddiesel]

The grill is Aluminium with a Lacquer Coating , unfortunately the Coating has suffered a reaction probably through washing . The only sure remedy will be to have the Lacquer removed and reapplied . You may get some slight improvement with Solvol Autosol but even if you purchased a new grill sooner or later you would most probably find yourself in the same position

[Phil _L]

Thanks - I was planning to get back to bare metal, polish, clean, then clear coat.....

...I wonder if spraying the grille chrome and clear coating would give a similar, but longer lasting finish?

I've heard of members spraying the grille black, or using black wrap....why not spray it chrome?

Poor solution??

Cheers,

Phil.

[Bournemouthboy]

Slightly off topic, but anyone going to the Virage Owners Meeting in June?

[Phil _L]

Hi,

Yes, I will be going to the Virage meet :-)

A further update on the grille - so, I spoke to a well known Aston restoration company today:

1). The grille needs to be stripped, then anodised to get the factory finish back
2). The re-anodising process can leave black marks if the grille is 'corroded' - i.e. where the lacquer has previously failed
3). The grille is held together with rivets - be careful of drilling these out as it can melt the plastic trim
4). After all this - the staining can return...
5). So - the other option is to strip the grille - then have a body shop spray the parts in a similar metallic finish (apparently, modern paints are much better, and are used on alloy wheels) - this prevents future staining....

What a faff - putting mine back in as is....I'll get to this next winter.......

Cheers,

Phil.

[Moonpie]

This may be of some help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdfbE30IcWk

[Phil _L]

Thanks Moonpie - earlier grille I'm afraid....