challenge gril. how to wash?

Challenge grills tend to fade and stain over time. They probably washed off armorall or a silicone that someone dressed it with to make it look new again.

 

Put Armorall or something similar on it. Seriously. Ambient engine bay heat and sun will affect the finish quite easily in my experience. Duskybird is probably right.

 

Could be hard water. Try microfiber cloth with vinegar on it. Try small area in inconspicuous place. I've done whole cars that were water spotted/streaked. Rinse/wash with soft water. I have an inline softener on my car hose. HTH.

 

Have a similar problem but mainly on dark coloured cars...trick is to dry the car before the water has time to leave water marks...

 

I use a leaf blower to remove 85% of the water on my car when finished washing. This works the best with the challenge grill, water comes right out of all the little holes! Mine is now a 1.5 years old and looks brand new!

You could always order a new one from Daniel at Ricambi.

Robert

 

I haven't installed my challenge grill yet (it's cming tomorrow). Another owner mentioned to me blow it dry with a compressor. Sounds reasonable to me.

Good luck.

 

+1 on the leaf blower. The small inexpensive units work best. About $50 at Sears. I use it on my Harley as well. Perfect for the challenge grill and it works well at removing water caught behind the side mirrors , and various lenses on the car. I also use the squeegee from California brush co. which removes most all water and then finish with a chamois.

 

yeah, its not the grill. its the method being used

when I take my car to a touchless wash ( no soap just water) it dries how you mention. when I take it to my detailer its streak free.


don't put armorall on it though.




I suggest you talk to a good detailer (which you should have) and they'll explain why it's coming out that way

 

wd40 it and wipe off excess. will look spanking brand new

 

I use tire dressing on mine.

Works for me, just apply light coat, buff, and you're done.

Re-apply every wash, or when grill sarts to look dull.

I've tried acrylic wax, silicone spray, and a couple other treatments, tire dressing seems to work best.

Dealer said use silicone spray, btw.

DM

 

lol

 

Mine used to do that as well.
powder coat the grill. your problem will go away.
I wash my car and just wipe it now - no lines.
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164918&highlight=powder+coating

Chris

 

You really need to work on your delivery. As much as everyone here love's your 3 months of Knowledge lol. Every post I read of your's has a completely condescending tone to it.

 

you really need to shut it, how was that delivery?

 

Something like 303 Protectant that has UV protection would be a better choice for the grill(And if used from the beginning, the piece would be in terrific shape). Especially considering that these pieces(much like similar materials on every other car) do oxidize and end up fading. For what its worth, armorall while the new formula is water based is probably not the best for it.

Silicones, can "protect" in a way but sometimes they end up causing more trouble and either attracting dirt to the surface or even if something like junky tire protectants that have silicone get on your paint, they will stain it.

And while im not a "dealer" I will venture as far as to say that dealers are there to sell cars, mechanics and techs to repair and so on. And seeing the treatment of some cars finishes by dealers, I can confidently say there are alot of dealers who could give a rip less what safest most effective way to maintain a vehicles finish is.

Don't take your car to a carwash ... Its a way more rewarding experience to learn the correct way to wash safely

 

or not... you have been called out numerous times by numerous people. Don't make me bring up the CS comment you made.

 

He's from NY..it's not his fault...

I'm from NY...it's not my fault either...but I was smart enough to leave

It's all good!!

 

Never use a tire shine on plastics unless it's formulated for them. ie Optimum Tire/Trim Dressing.

Never use armor all on them as well. Tire shines and armor all can damage the plastics and lead to browning or cracking.

I use a product called 'Black WOW' on all my clients exterior trim. It's fantastic stuff....

 

I had the same problem but found a readily available product that works well.

Turtle wax makes colored car wax which works really well. The black colored wax is usually in stock at most auto parts stores in Los Angeles and maybe where you live too. I had the hard water soap lines so I tried many products but the black wax is best by a long shot.
First moisten a cloth with the black wax and lightly coat the grille (the cloth must be moist but not oozing or you will clog the holes). Then allow to dry and buff to a shine with a clean cloth, the result is great. The black dye fills in any slight imperfections or scratches and it really comes to a good gloss which lasts for a good while. I could not get a result as good as this with any other product and most just attract dirt to stick or last just long enough to get the car into daylight.

For a change its only a few dollars and takes about 5 minutes which is another plus, here's a link and I have no affiliation with this company other than as a customer.

http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,5

 

303 works great.