Automotive grille

An automotive grille comprising:

• a substrate having a first and second side and dimensions adapted to be mounted to the front of a vehicle, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of decorative members defining a plurality of exposed surfaces and a plurality of front faces positioned adjacent the first side of the substrate wherein the exposed surfaces and the front faces are substantially coated with a coating material to inhibit oxidation of the substrate;
• a plurality of mounting structures attached to the substrate on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the plurality of mounting structures are adapted to secure the substrate to the vehicle;
• and
• a plurality of decorative weather resistant members dimensioned to match a plurality of the front faces of the plurality of decorative members of the substrate wherein the plurality of decorative weather resistant members is adhered to the plurality of front faces to substantially cover the plurality of front faces to further inhibit oxidation of the plurality of front faces of the substrate.

A method of making a vehicle grille comprising:

• forming a substrate having a first and a second side and dimensions adapted to be mounted to the front of a vehicle, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of decorative members defining a plurality of exposed surfaces and a plurality of front faces positioned adjacent the first side of the substrate;
• attaching a plurality of mounting structures to the substrate on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the plurality of mounting structures are adapted to secure the substrate to the vehicle;
• coating the exposed surfaces of the substrate, decorative members, and mounting structures with a coating material to inhibit oxidation of the substrate;
• and
• adhering a plurality of decorative weather resistant members, dimensioned to match the plurality of front faces of the plurality of decorative members of the substrate, to the plurality of front faces to substantially cover the plurality of front faces to further inhibit oxidation of the plurality of faces of the substrate.