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arby · 09-17-2012, 04:43 PM

My 07 Diplomat has the curved shower base with a metal grill/vent (aprox 5" X 11") that keeps rusting. I painted the original 2 or 3 times and finally bought a new one from Monaco for somewhere north of $50. After a year or so the new one began to rust also. I had it powder coated which lasted for about 1 1/2 years and it is now rusting again.

I am going to try to find a place that can make an exact replacement out of plastic or aluminum but first I thought I would ask if anyone else has found a source for that. It would be easy enough to simply cut one to proper size but punching the louvers is the problem. Drilling holes for venting would not look very professional. Or, is venting really necessary?

Monaco now wants $68 (part #22906813.006) but it is still made out of metal so why waste more money!

And, before you ask, NO, there is no leak under the shower pan. The sharp edges on the metal grill simply can not hold paint very well...or powder coat either.

HUCKSHAVEN · 09-17-2012, 04:47 PM

I would just go down to a sheet metal shop and have them make it out of aluminum. They can punch the louvers there also. A good hotrod shop can punch the louvers also.

justaroamer · 09-17-2012, 04:54 PM

There exists a vast selection of vents made from stainless for the marine industry that should be cheaper and better than aluminum. Just check out the marine suppliers for a close fit. Just try a search for stainless louver or marine louver . West Marine has a 5x9 that with a minimal bit of ingenuity that should suffice.
The best to ya.

Barlow46 · 09-17-2012, 06:59 PM

See if you can resize the hole instead of trying to find an exact fit. The marine vents are a good idea, just see if you can cut the hole to fit if necessary. One other option would be to put a nice looking solid plate over the old hole and cut a hole in the new plate to fit the 5 x 9 that West Marine has.