Cleaning the chrome "grill" on an 06

Mauibound · 08-01-2006, 02:09 PM

First of all, is the grill chrome, or is it just a chrome like plastic?

I took delivery of my 06 Prius at night and didn't notice that the chrome grill looks tarnished. (Lesson one: Don't take delivery of your car at night!)

So my question is, how can I clean the that chrome piece, whether it's chrome or not? I've already washed the car by hand and used a little elbow grease on the grill to try to get it to shine...to no avail. I've got some chrome cleaner which I'm sure it will work...if it's chrome. If it's plastic, the cleaner will probably mess things up. Has anybody else come across this issue and if so what did you do?

subarutoo · 08-01-2006, 03:45 PM

I've used Meguier's cleaner wax on mine. It's rated safe for clear coat, so seems to be OK for the grill, even if it is plastic. I used chrome cleaner on my bicycle, and it removed paint where I spilled a little. Be careful with chrome cleaner, unless you're sure its real chrome plated metal. I'm betting on chromed plastic in the Prius grill bar.

Mauibound · 08-01-2006, 05:39 PM

Thanks! I think that's a good bet.

cairo94507 · 08-02-2006, 09:22 AM

I installed the chrome grill on my '05 -it is plastic. Stop into your dealership and ask them to clean it for you so you do not ruin it by trying something on your own.

NorwoodIV · 08-29-2006, 01:29 PM

[quote]
First of all, is the grill chrome, or is it just a chrome like plastic?

I took delivery of my 06 Prius at night and didn't notice that the chrome grill looks tarnished. (Lesson one: Don't take delivery of your car at night!)

I know that this is an old post, but I had the exact sam experience. My logos and "chrome" lettering are all very dull, almost tarnished.

Soap and water did not clear it up, so I wondering if this was something that happened to vehicles in transit.

Kind of a bummer.

I may take the suggestion to swing it by the dealer and see what they can do for me...

Mauibound · 08-31-2006, 01:17 AM

Just an update, I did take my car back to the dealer for another issue and pointed out the grill and they said, "No problem, we'll replace it." I suggested they just try to detail it and the service person said, nope, it's under warranty, we will just replace it. I found that the Toyota emblem on the back cleaned up pretty nicely with regular old car wax. Our cars must have been sitting on top of the ship getting sprayed with salt water or something as they were coming over. The Prius lettering on the back and the "toyota" lettering were also a bit tarnished, but they seemed to clean up ok with was as well.

NorwoodIV · 08-31-2006, 06:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JasonCon @ Aug 31 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]312024[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Just an update, I did take my car back to the dealer for another issue and pointed out the grill and they said, "No problem, we'll replace it." I suggested they just try to detail it and the service person said, nope, it's under warranty, we will just replace it. I found that the Toyota emblem on the back cleaned up pretty nicely with regular old car wax. Our cars must have been sitting on top of the ship getting sprayed with salt water or something as they were coming over. The Prius lettering on the back and the "toyota" lettering were also a bit tarnished, but they seemed to clean up ok with was as well.
[/b]

Weird. Thanks for the update. I'll take it back to the dealer when I go for my first oil change.

Makes you wonder if sea air by the beach will tarnish the simulated platic-chrome again.

08-29-2006, 01:29 PM	#5
NorwoodIV Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 125 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	[quote] First of all, is the grill chrome, or is it just a chrome like plastic? I took delivery of my 06 Prius at night and didn't notice that the chrome grill looks tarnished. (Lesson one: Don't take delivery of your car at night!) I know that this is an old post, but I had the exact sam experience. My logos and "chrome" lettering are all very dull, almost tarnished. Soap and water did not clear it up, so I wondering if this was something that happened to vehicles in transit. Kind of a bummer. I may take the suggestion to swing it by the dealer and see what they can do for me... __________________ Pale Alien</span> <span style="color:#CC0000">Barcelona Red #6 with flux capacitor, CA HOV stickers and Wet Okole seat covers, phasers set to "extra crispy"

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08-01-2006, 02:09 PM	#1
Mauibound Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newport Coast, CA Posts: 62 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	First of all, is the grill chrome, or is it just a chrome like plastic? I took delivery of my 06 Prius at night and didn't notice that the chrome grill looks tarnished. (Lesson one: Don't take delivery of your car at night!) So my question is, how can I clean the that chrome piece, whether it's chrome or not? I've already washed the car by hand and used a little elbow grease on the grill to try to get it to shine...to no avail. I've got some chrome cleaner which I'm sure it will work...if it's chrome. If it's plastic, the cleaner will probably mess things up. Has anybody else come across this issue and if so what did you do?

08-01-2006, 03:45 PM	#2
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,176 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	I've used Meguier's cleaner wax on mine. It's rated safe for clear coat, so seems to be OK for the grill, even if it is plastic. I used chrome cleaner on my bicycle, and it removed paint where I spilled a little. Be careful with chrome cleaner, unless you're sure its real chrome plated metal. I'm betting on chromed plastic in the Prius grill bar.

08-01-2006, 05:39 PM	#3
Mauibound Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newport Coast, CA Posts: 62 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Thanks! I think that's a good bet.

08-02-2006, 09:22 AM	#4
cairo94507 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Ramon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 806 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 1	I installed the chrome grill on my '05 -it is plastic. Stop into your dealership and ask them to clean it for you so you do not ruin it by trying something on your own.

08-31-2006, 01:17 AM	#6
Mauibound Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newport Coast, CA Posts: 62 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Just an update, I did take my car back to the dealer for another issue and pointed out the grill and they said, "No problem, we'll replace it." I suggested they just try to detail it and the service person said, nope, it's under warranty, we will just replace it. I found that the Toyota emblem on the back cleaned up pretty nicely with regular old car wax. Our cars must have been sitting on top of the ship getting sprayed with salt water or something as they were coming over. The Prius lettering on the back and the "toyota" lettering were also a bit tarnished, but they seemed to clean up ok with was as well.