The Story? Front Bumper Grilles

[lkchris]

Regarding the pre-facelift ('97-'02) front bumpers ...

 

What's the story with the color of the grilles?

 

Not every Boxster I see has them in white (or is it silver?) and for sure the only thing available in spare parts is "satin black."

 

Photos of new cars in my "Porsche Boxster Story" book shows them not all the same color, it appears.

 

Were there officially different colors for different main paint colors?

 

Is there a particular paint to use to achieve the white/silver color when faced with a new satin black part?

Edited June 20, 2015 by lkchris

[Loren]

Usually body color or black for standard Boxsters.

Boxster S got Titanium Silver grilles.

[Dennis Nicholls]

I think the factory black fades to silver with age.  I had to get a new cover put on and the grills were black.  It looks better that way.

[lkchris]

I think so, too, but think it might be deteriorates rather than fades.

I've purchased an S front bumper for my base and the titanium paint on the outer grilles is the great condition. The vertical support bars are however the chalky white, but moreso on the front than the back.

The interesting thing is that portions of the center scoop are also faded, but almost in a manner that looks like it follows a design. That is, the complete circle, top and bottom is the chalky white, and I'd think the top wouldn't get the same sun exposure as the bottom. It's a raised area in the casting, and most of this piece remains black.

There is nothing but all black available from parts for the center scoop, and while it may be nonstock, I think I'lll paint this rim titanium before installation. A little black maybe, too, on those verticals. On the center things, a previous owner melted the tabs rather than installing the factory clips, so it's two new parts.

I'm rainforest green, and frankly the chalky white I currently have looks pretty natural, as all black would be lost in this dark color. Lots of photos I see of black, blue, dark red etc. Boxsters about all show the chalky white on base models.

It's a curious thing.

[lkchris]

Well, more digging reveals the parts are PP+EPDM, that's rubberized polypropylene and Wikipedia lists it as subject to UV degradation. Parts should probably be painted prior to installation.