Stone chipped/Rusting Grills....

[purdy84]

The large front grill on my exige is starting to look a bit tatty...

What would you guys recommend? Matt Black Hammerite or similar?

Could it be painted without removing if not how difficult is it remove...(front clam off?)

or just buy a new one from Lotus?

Ta

[Philygumbo]

The front grill on the Elise is plastic, can't be stone chipped and is held in by clips, you can remove it in seconds for cleaning. I don't know if the Exige is different. If it's the same the clips along the top can be pressed to release and the bottom is held by locations in rubber grommets, so it will tilt forward and lift out.
The towing eye bracket can be painted but can't be removed without taking the clam off.
HTH
Phil.

Edited by Philygumbo on Saturday 5th April 14:54

[purdy84]

Its definitly metal, got some replies over on Seloc....looks like satin black hammerite is the answer.

[Philygumbo]

Yes I just looked at some pics and I can see it's a metal mesh grill.

[Esprit]

On my Elise, I pulled it off (just two screws) and took it to a powdercoaters... for a tenner they sandblasted it and powdercoated it satin black again for me... as good as new and stayed that way. Will be doing the same in 2 weeks on the Exige as that one's a bit tatty too. Will do the towing mount too as well as some other bits.

[Gad-Westy]

I'd go for the shotblast and powedercoat option. It'll be much more durable than Hammerite. There's a good place down at Bill Quay that'll do a quality job for a £10'er or so.

[sa_20v]

Useful info, mine could use a touch up. Anyone know how easy it is to remove the engine and radiator grills on the S2 too?

[MrP80]

The grills are bonded to the clam on the exige (same as the side pods), you need to remove the clam and cut the mesh bonding to release. Best wait till you need to remove the clam for another job and powder coat at teh same time.

In the meantime as already said hammerite seems to work best

[sjw]

I am also considering what to do about rusty grills, but as the Exige is only a year old, I am going to see if I can get it done under warrenty.
Both the grill and the towing bracket are alrady rusty. Not good enough, I wonder why they didnt fit a plastic one to the Exige like on the Elise, could have been another weight saving ?