The rear Grill/Oil Cooler thing...and rust.
Discussion
My Vantage is coming up to ten years old and although I am a very low mileage driver I do use it all year round, come hail or shine.
I have just done the mirror arms a nice satin black and am now drawn to the problem of the rear grill (I believe its to cover an oil cooler but anywise its the one in three parts at the bottom of the rear bumper).
Being made from a ferrous metal in such an exposed part the inevitable happens and rust develops. Taking the three parts off is apparently quite difficult and involves removing the rear bumper so I understand.
My intention is to do it in situ, careful removal of as much rust as possible with a Dremmel then undercoat and repaint.
So, before I start has anybody else done this can give any tips as to the type of paint they used? At the moment I'm going to use the etching primer and satin black (from Halfords) I used on the mirror arms.
Is there a suitable paint I can paint onto surfaces that may still bear traces of rust?
Any other tips in this context will be welcome thank you.
I have just done the mirror arms a nice satin black and am now drawn to the problem of the rear grill (I believe its to cover an oil cooler but anywise its the one in three parts at the bottom of the rear bumper).
Being made from a ferrous metal in such an exposed part the inevitable happens and rust develops. Taking the three parts off is apparently quite difficult and involves removing the rear bumper so I understand.
My intention is to do it in situ, careful removal of as much rust as possible with a Dremmel then undercoat and repaint.
So, before I start has anybody else done this can give any tips as to the type of paint they used? At the moment I'm going to use the etching primer and satin black (from Halfords) I used on the mirror arms.
Is there a suitable paint I can paint onto surfaces that may still bear traces of rust?
Any other tips in this context will be welcome thank you.
bogie said:
On my 2006 black Vantage I masked up the grilles and painted by hand with satin finish smoothrite (hammerite brand) it was a bit fiddly but came out fine (couldnt tell difference from new OE once it was all done) and still great a few years later.
Cheers Bogie...... that looks a good option too.CAn only wonder at why AM designers thought it was a good idea to use a ferrous metal in such a place, then aggravate it by making the damned things difficult to get off!
I know ...thankfully revised on later models, the grille material is wearing much better on my 2012 Roadster
how are your side strakes holding up ? assuming they are chrome. On my 2006 Vantage they were perfect when traded in at 10 years old. On my 2012 Roadster, at 4 yrs old they had pitted quite badly, so bought some new ones (another pain to fit) and now just a few years later I see tiny spots on them starting to come through. Last winter put anti corrosion ACF50 on them in a bid to keep them in good condition, but I think they will need re-chroming next year or go for carbon fibre option.
Maybe Aston Martin changed supplier of the side strakes, as I cant understand how Ive had 2 sets of side strakes with chrome pitted on a 7 yr old car
how are your side strakes holding up ? assuming they are chrome. On my 2006 Vantage they were perfect when traded in at 10 years old. On my 2012 Roadster, at 4 yrs old they had pitted quite badly, so bought some new ones (another pain to fit) and now just a few years later I see tiny spots on them starting to come through. Last winter put anti corrosion ACF50 on them in a bid to keep them in good condition, but I think they will need re-chroming next year or go for carbon fibre option.
Maybe Aston Martin changed supplier of the side strakes, as I cant understand how Ive had 2 sets of side strakes with chrome pitted on a 7 yr old car
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 24th July 11:59
bogie said:
On my 2006 black Vantage I masked up the grilles and painted by hand with satin finish smoothrite (hammerite brand) it was a bit fiddly but came out fine (couldnt tell difference from new OE once it was all done) and still great a few years later.
As above, I gave mine a wipe down, popped a bit of masking tape on to a couple of the surrounding areas, and brushed them over with some matt black, 20 minute job and looks fine.I refurbed my rear griils / rear sensor brackets this year also - looks like new now.
I left the bumper on but removed the rear valance (two bolts). Also removed the parking sensors (bit fiddly initially, then I worked out how they're fitted). I then masked around the bumper, and rubbed down the parking sensor brackets with wet and dry, and wire brushed the rear grills (careful not to hit the bumper, hence the masking - I actually cut cardboard to size to protect the paint).
Once prepped, I cleaned the area with tack cloth, masked off the rear end, put more newspaper / masking behind the grill (to stop the paint going over the oil cooler, exhaust) applied a few light coats of etch primer, and a few light coats of Hammerite black satin.
I found the Hammerite took ages to dry (I guess we can blame the EU for that, used to dry very quickly back in the day), so I left it over a day before putting it back together again. In the meantime, I cleaned the rear valance and gave it a few coats of wax.
Cost about £20-£25. Only downside was speckles of paint got onto the rest of the car, but it came off again with a clay bar.
I left the bumper on but removed the rear valance (two bolts). Also removed the parking sensors (bit fiddly initially, then I worked out how they're fitted). I then masked around the bumper, and rubbed down the parking sensor brackets with wet and dry, and wire brushed the rear grills (careful not to hit the bumper, hence the masking - I actually cut cardboard to size to protect the paint).
Once prepped, I cleaned the area with tack cloth, masked off the rear end, put more newspaper / masking behind the grill (to stop the paint going over the oil cooler, exhaust) applied a few light coats of etch primer, and a few light coats of Hammerite black satin.
I found the Hammerite took ages to dry (I guess we can blame the EU for that, used to dry very quickly back in the day), so I left it over a day before putting it back together again. In the meantime, I cleaned the rear valance and gave it a few coats of wax.
Cost about £20-£25. Only downside was speckles of paint got onto the rest of the car, but it came off again with a clay bar.
bogie said:
I know ...thankfully revised on later models, the grille material is wearing much better on my 2012 Roadster
how are your side strakes holding up ? assuming they are chrome. On my 2006 Vantage they were perfect when traded in at 10 years old. On my 2012 Roadster, at 4 yrs old they had pitted quite badly, so bought some new ones (another pain to fit) and now just a few years later I see tiny spots on them starting to come through. Last winter put anti corrosion ACF50 on them in a bid to keep them in good condition, but I think they will need re-chroming next year or go for carbon fibre option.
Maybe Aston Martin changed supplier of the side strakes, as I cant understand how Ive had 2 sets of side strakes with chrome pitted on a 7 yr old car
Right, job done as suggested! how are your side strakes holding up ? assuming they are chrome. On my 2006 Vantage they were perfect when traded in at 10 years old. On my 2012 Roadster, at 4 yrs old they had pitted quite badly, so bought some new ones (another pain to fit) and now just a few years later I see tiny spots on them starting to come through. Last winter put anti corrosion ACF50 on them in a bid to keep them in good condition, but I think they will need re-chroming next year or go for carbon fibre option.
Maybe Aston Martin changed supplier of the side strakes, as I cant understand how Ive had 2 sets of side strakes with chrome pitted on a 7 yr old car
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 24th July 11:59
My side strakes were replaced under warranty - yes they pitted that quickly - but they are starting to go again with small pitting. I'm not doing that this year, I have no doubt they will be a pain to replace, although I'd never thought of rechroming - is that a better option?
Riddochg said:
Likewise. Don't try and remove the grilles, a really tough job.
If you mask up well and use a wire brush to get the worst off, satin Hammerite works a treat. I sprayed rather than using a brush.
I did mine 2 years ago and no signs of rust.
Thanks, I opted out of trying to take the grills out, I have done what you and Bogie did, got to say relatively painless compared to doing the Mirror Arms!If you mask up well and use a wire brush to get the worst off, satin Hammerite works a treat. I sprayed rather than using a brush.
I did mine 2 years ago and no signs of rust.
steveatesh said:
bogie said:
I know ...thankfully revised on later models, the grille material is wearing much better on my 2012 Roadster
how are your side strakes holding up ? assuming they are chrome. On my 2006 Vantage they were perfect when traded in at 10 years old. On my 2012 Roadster, at 4 yrs old they had pitted quite badly, so bought some new ones (another pain to fit) and now just a few years later I see tiny spots on them starting to come through. Last winter put anti corrosion ACF50 on them in a bid to keep them in good condition, but I think they will need re-chroming next year or go for carbon fibre option.
Maybe Aston Martin changed supplier of the side strakes, as I cant understand how Ive had 2 sets of side strakes with chrome pitted on a 7 yr old car
Right, job done as suggested! how are your side strakes holding up ? assuming they are chrome. On my 2006 Vantage they were perfect when traded in at 10 years old. On my 2012 Roadster, at 4 yrs old they had pitted quite badly, so bought some new ones (another pain to fit) and now just a few years later I see tiny spots on them starting to come through. Last winter put anti corrosion ACF50 on them in a bid to keep them in good condition, but I think they will need re-chroming next year or go for carbon fibre option.
Maybe Aston Martin changed supplier of the side strakes, as I cant understand how Ive had 2 sets of side strakes with chrome pitted on a 7 yr old car
Edited by bogie on Wednesday 24th July 11:59
My side strakes were replaced under warranty - yes they pitted that quickly - but they are starting to go again with small pitting. I'm not doing that this year, I have no doubt they will be a pain to replace, although I'd never thought of rechroming - is that a better option?
steveatesh said:
Riddochg said:
Likewise. Don't try and remove the grilles, a really tough job.
If you mask up well and use a wire brush to get the worst off, satin Hammerite works a treat. I sprayed rather than using a brush.
I did mine 2 years ago and no signs of rust.
Thanks, I opted out of trying to take the grills out, I have done what you and Bogie did, got to say relatively painless compared to doing the Mirror Arms!If you mask up well and use a wire brush to get the worst off, satin Hammerite works a treat. I sprayed rather than using a brush.
I did mine 2 years ago and no signs of rust.
when you think about it, its really not good on a 4-7 year old car with flaky paint and chrome ...I note they have changed these finishes on the new Vantage.....
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