Bonnet/hood grille

I believe more like anodized Aidan. You surely already know what work is involved in cleaning these things up, I think this is an often somewhat overlooked area of detailing. It's a timely process & a delicate one @ that, for me anyway because the my daylight flashers (foglights for others destinations) are not behind the grille but on each side. So the outside sections are unsupported at the ends.
The finish on mine went south somewhat on mine so I polished it w/Simichrome, & like it more than original...especially w/the chrome cavallino.
Bruce
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Oop, my bad. I haven't seen a Series 1 up close & personal but my guess would be the same finish as the front grill. Dave could set this straight. Series 2's & 412's switched to body color. I did use Mothers on mine but it didn't bring it up like the Simichrome (W. German product). The radiator heat probably works on that grill big-time.

http://simichrome.factoryoutletstore.com/?cid=44378&chid=1&gclid=CL7ju43-368CFUFo4Aoda33_CQ

I noticed that Daniel listed the cavallino on a 'call' basis, did he have any in stock??

Right back at U!
Bruce
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I must have bought it at least 3-4 yrs. ago, he couldn't get NOS but had reproduction ones available so I jumped on it for the time being.
I don't know if there's a cleaner for anodized finishes, you certainly don't want to use metal polish for fear of removing the finish. You may have to re-anodize to get it back to factory finish. B.

 

Kind of an anodized finsh in the grills and semi shiny on the top flats, but they are two different finishes. I have seen them on ebay. Check the part numbers they may be the same as the BB's

 

I check what is being talked about here on a daily basis - and of course enjoy reading what others have been up to, particularly as I am engrossed in the restoration of my own 365. Whilst waiting for parts to reassemble the engine, I have been working my way through the box of lamps/trims/etc etc (which I took off before sending the shell for paint) cleaning and painting as necessary - and the day before yesterday I spent a happy hour cleaning the bonnet vent/grille being discussed here. Imagine my surprise when I read this thread on the same day as I was getting up close and personal with my own one. For the record, I first washed it a kerosene based parts wash tank before running it through the hot-wash so I could really see what the condition was. When dried and and not covered in general grime you could see the burnt on stains (engine side), whilst the outside just looked a bit 'tired'. I experimented with various solvents on the engine side, but eventually resorted to a gentle glass bead blast of the middle support bar, then a gentle scrub of the 'blades' themselves with a fine industrial scouring pad. This hasn't touched the annodised satin surface, plus has brought back the sheen on the polished blade 'ends'.
I am attaching a picture of the finished article - I hope it helps!!

Howard.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Very nice detailing on the finish side ie satin finish. not sure about polished blade ends I think they would be satin also but just reflect more light!
Alastair

 

The thought had passed my mind about how important it was to be wondering about the polishing of blades on my grille until I realized something!
Ive just spent the last 4 hours hacking around a golf course with a set of blades MP33s to be precise and for the record I would have spent better time on my grille!!
Alastair

 

I'm up at the ranch but I'll check my spec sheets when I get back to the city. You are right Bruce that the series 2 cars went body colored. I'm prettty sure that a series 1 car has a semi shiny hood grille.
I'll confirm on Thursday when I get back in town.

 

My 1980 400i Ser. I #28903 has the semi- shiny alum/silver color hood grill and radiator grill. I am going to research/experiment with the proper refurb color. Hope this helps. Jacques.

 

That looks very nice.