Detailing Tips for Honeycomb Grills ?

[57Rambler]

The trend of honeycomb grills on vehicles looks nice, but they appear to present a challenge when detailing. I want to do something to protect the grill on our new vehicle, but I am torn on what type of product to use, and esp. on what kind of applicator works the best. I am leaning towards using WETS or the similar Mckee's 37 product instead of a coating like Q2 or Dlux, mainly because I am concerned about it being difficult to properly / evenly apply a coating to a honeycomb grill. But I would really rather have the longevity that a coating offers. Are there any tips/tricks to doing a honeycomb grill ? To me it seems like a foam finger or MF glove would work for a sealant, but I can't think of anything that would work with the coatings as they usually rely on using the sponge applicators + MF suedes included with them.

Thanks,
Rob

[Bruno Soares]

Some pros spray the coating on and then don’t need to level/wipe off the excess. Wastes more product but sure is easier to apply.

[rlmccarty2000]

You can buy large Qtip looking applicators of all sizes on the CarPro site. A coating applied to the honeycomb would be a tedious process, but it would last a few years and provide great protection. The applicators are not sold by AG.

[FUNX650]

...I would really rather have the
longevity that a coating offers.

Are there any tips/tricks to doing
a honeycomb grill ?

Air-brushing is the way that some AGO
Forum members like to “dress-out” those
honeycomb grilles.

Here’s just one of many done by RaskyR1:

Opti-Guard application -
Paint was done using CarPro Suede MF applicators,
trim/wheels were done with foam applicator,

plastic grills done with air brush.



Front and rear grills were a little dull and very intricate....a PITA to clean too!



Perfect candidate for Opti-Guard via airbrush!



Better!

Bob

[57Rambler]

Thanks for the replies. The air brush method looks trick, but the other half might kill me if I bought one (and a better compressor) just to detail a car grill.

[FUNX650]

The air brush method looks trick,
but the other half might kill me if
I bought one (and a better compressor)
just to detail a car grill.

•Get a kit that’s not only compact (‘scuse
the pun); but also one that you both can
learn to enjoy.
-Luminess Air Basic Airbrush Spray System:







Bob

[BillE]

You can buy large Qtip looking applicators of all sizes on the CarPro site. A coating applied to the honeycomb would be a tedious process, but it would last a few years and provide great protection. The applicators are not sold by AG.

The 'giant Q-tip' thingies can also be had for a 'dollar', great (for me) on honeycomb stuff.

Bill

[rlmccarty2000]

CarPro sells a great variety of the Qtip thingies. One of my favorite has a pointed end and it works fantastic to get dirt and old wax that has gotten into places where nothing else will work. I bought a car where the previous owner must have been a Turtle Wax user and the good old white residue was caked into many areas, one being where the mirror cover snaps on. I tried wax removers and brushes and microfiber towels, then I found the pointy Qtip, mind blown. I use these Qtips on every detail I do now. They are super helpful on interior details where crumbs get smashed into cracks and around the dash area tight spots. I wish I would have found these years ago. They are not discussed at all. Maybe I should do a photo shoot of the many different types and functions. They are very useful for many projects.

[davidc]

The worst part is getting the dang thing clean, there's a lot of holes to use a brush, qtip etc. and I just do not have that kind of patience.

[Mike Phillips]

As mentioned... cleaning and then protecting these types of trim is time consuming and a real paint. Takes both time and patience. The cleaning part is not to bad if you have a good brush like the Wheel Woolies Boar's Hair Brush I show washing the grill of this Maserati.


How to safely wash a ceramic coated car by Mike Phillips - Traditional Hose & Bucket Approach



Here's another place the Wheel Woolies Boar's Hair Black Wheel Brush comes in handing and that's for washing intricate and hard to reach areas like front grills.














Then rinse....