Restoring Black Anodized Engine Grill

Silver Surfer · 03-20-2002, 10:45 AM

I have a 73 911 S. The originally black anodized engine grill has now faded to almost completely silver. Some have suggested having it powdercoated, but I do not want to do that. I want to restore it to its original black anodized finish. Does anyone know where I can go to have this done for me?

SS

steve911 · steve911's Garage

SS--

Had the same thought recently:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63024

my plan is to spray it with Wurth's Satin

Silver Surfer · 03-20-2002, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the reply. The link you gave for the PP thread is broken. I would be very interested to read it, could you check it?

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

Try this:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63024

There's not much information on that thread...

john walker's workshop · 03-20-2002, 12:09 PM

i use WURTH matt black lacquer.

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

Just saw this in the back of european car mag. www.oxidizedaluminum.com

Dean71S · 03-20-2002, 01:32 PM

Hi,

We had our grill from our 71S (silver grill) reanodized. You need to remove any metal parts first e.g mesh and clips as they will disintergrate in the anodizing process. The place I took my grill to could anodize numerous colours including black. It cost only $50 Australian so I assume in the US it would be even cheaper.

You need to drill out the rivets to remove the mesh.

Hope this helps

Dean
Brisbane Australia

Silver Surfer · 03-20-2002, 01:52 PM

Thanks Dean. But surely there must be some business somewhere in the world that would perform this service for me--hopefully with hands more skilled than mine. Call me a weannie, but I am just not comfortable with the idea of drilling out rivets in my grill by myself, and then re-installing them when I am done. I am certain I would **** it up! Does anyone know of any shops that do top notch restoration of old Porsches? The kind of place you might take an M-471 Carerra RS or 4-cam 356 to?

Dean71S · 03-20-2002, 05:00 PM

Hi Silver Surfer,

I'm sure most quality anodizing shops could do all the work for you in one hit.

I forgot to mention that they dip the grill first to remove all the old anodizing then metal polish the aluminium tehn anodize.

Regards

Dean

Matt Holcomb · Matt Holcomb's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Surfer
I have a 73 911 S. The originally black anodized engine grill has now faded to almost completely silver. Some have suggested having it powdercoated, but I do not want to do that. I want to restore it to its original black anodized finish. Does anyone know where I can go to have this done for me?

SS

Silver Surfer,

Before I re-sprayed my car, I had the same problem: the grille had faded to the color of the aluminum before it was anodized by the factory!

We tried painting it (I know, I know), but the paint started to flake off, so I had the paint bead-blasted off, and then I powdercoated it. The quality of the powdercoated finish (black satin) is exemplary, and I have no trouble recommending this as a cheap ($60 all up, $25 for the powdercoating) -- but not inferior -- alternative to having a grille re-anodized.

Matt Holcomb
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 Euro
1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE
Dedicated Homepage
Engine Rebuild Homepage
Porsche Owners Gallery Profile
Pelican Gallery Profile

03-20-2002, 08:15 PM

Hi SS,

How's the car doing? I remember driving around in that 73S with my son! Glad to see you're enjoying and restoring it.

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

john walker,
can the wurth be used on a silver momo wheel for that factory black look with successful results?
anybody ever paint their wheel? tia.
bob

Silver Surfer · 03-21-2002, 08:10 AM

Carlo! I'll email you directly. The short story is I am just completing an engine and transmission rebuild. I will post something about it here as soon as I have something to crow about. I am supposed to get my car back from my mechanic next month.

89Targa · 03-21-2002, 10:11 AM

My '89 has the factory original rear grill made out of a super exotic, light weight material called plastic...

Silver Surfer · 03-21-2002, 10:15 AM

I know, Targa, I know, and I am envious. Everything is a little easier for you guys with later model cars. For a lot of things, I can't even figure out what my car is supposed to look like! If I was normal, I probably would just powdercoate the darn thing or replace with a plastic one, but then again, if I was normal I might not have bought this car.