Mesh Grille

[BeachRat]

So IPD, EST and Heico were way too expensive for my desire to upgrade the grille. So I went to Home Depot, got some mesh and did it myself. I wanted to keep the hash on, Charles' car inspired me to do so.

I apologize for mine being so dirty, but here it is!

I was also sick of the little bottom peices getting so dirty/waxy so I did those as well.

I've made the passenger side portion a one-peice ordeal. It looks much neater that way!

Comments, questions, concerns? The top part is held on with a sealant expoxy, the lower portions are held on with screws; I wanted to be able to remove them if I ever get to paint the bumper. Someday, someday I will get it painted to remove the curb rash on it.

This has been another "Andy is bored, what will he do next?" job by BeachRat!

[Deltablade]

Looks sweet dude. I've been contemplating putting mesh inserts in the lower part or the front airdam. You said you just used screws. How exactly did you do this? Thanks.

[volvoamg]

On my S80 I actually just did the same for the foglight holes (since I don't have fog lights). My mesh is the silvery-grey, did you buy the same stuff and paint it black? It came in rolls of different widths and lengths, was the only mesh that I found in the store.

And I've been thinking of making the grille itself mesh next, how did you make the liner (outline) for the grille so perfect? That seems to be the hardest part about making the mesh grille for me.

Yours looks great and you should maybe consider doing the whole lower intake portion as well between the two small "intakes" that you have. Otherwise, sweet job

[theunderlord]

andy... or should I call you.. McGuyver...

nice work boss. that mesh is pretty small, but it looks good man, you need to paint the yellow tabs black around the grill inserts... but other than that.. looks great.

[Guest whitecw]

Where did you get that shirt?!

[Asinine]

That looks really nice.

I've orderd the iPd insert, but after seeing this kind of wish i hadn't! I wanted to get something along those lines (close knit) like is on the CTS-V, but opted for the iPd one instead...

That looks hella sweet. How much do you figure it cost you?

[Veneficus]

How do you open the hood? :huh:

[Plan_B]

How many chest reps do you do

Looks good, and I also would like to know how you did it?, did you remove the the chrome bars and place the mesh over it or did you gut the center, if so ...what did you glue the mesh to? :unsure:

[Che'_Moderator]

How do you open the hood? 

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Probably just removed the 3rd catch. Looks tight. Good to finally inspire something that did not end in violence.

[Plan_B]

Probably just removed the 3rd catch.  Looks tight.  Good to finally inspire something that did not end in violence.

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3rd catch?

[Che'_Moderator]

3rd catch?

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Hood has three catches. One on each side controlled by the cable and one in the middle thats manual. The middle one is only there for a back-up.... though I would not remove mine

[Zag-Town Rider]

Custom and home made! Thanks Brian.

[(n)A-GAME]

what kind of mesh (brand) did you use? I went to go do this for my pontiac last year and all I could find was aluminum gutter guard, which needless to say didn't look as cool as your mesh....and did you use a knife or scissors when you cut off your edges? that was the hard part for me, getting the clean edges.

nice job!

[BeachRat]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

You said you just used screws.  How exactly did you do this?  Thanks.

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The little tabs that held the plastic covers in have slots in them. I just drove a screw through a hole in the mesh and then through the slots in the tabs. Since I didn't have black screws I used silver ones and touched off with black fingernail polish. If you look closely you can see them.

-My mesh is the silvery-grey, did you buy the same stuff and paint it black? It came in rolls of different widths and lengths, was the only mesh that I found in the store.

-how did you make the liner (outline) for the grille so perfect?

-consider doing the whole lower intake portion as well between the two small "intakes" that you have. Otherwise, sweet job

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1) It came black, from Home Depot, in a huge 6'x4' sheet. I had to repaint it after cutting/grinding/ect.

2) I cut the basic outline, then used a bench grinder and a LOT of patience.

3)I had thought about that... my biggest dillema is attaching it. I thought of maybe gluing it around the edges.

that mesh is pretty small, but it looks good man, you need to paint the yellow tabs black around the grill inserts... but other than that.. looks great.

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It is small, but no overheating problems yet. I'll know for sure this summer if it's TOO small. Slow traffic in AZ heat will be the ultimate test. As for the tabs, I'm not sure what I want to do. It doesn't bug ME that much... but if I get your opinion a few more times I might since I'm on the wall about it.

Where did you get that shirt?!

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I made it. The freaks know it's the 1993 850 GLT ad, I just photochopped it to a T5-R and printed it on an iron-on.

How do you open the hood? 

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The third catch is still on there. I have to pop the hood open, then use a pen to flick the plastic tab down, then reach up and pull. It's a bit of a pain in the jerk, but I'm not so frustrated by it I'm ready to get rid of the safety catch yet! :D

[BeachRat]

How many chest reps do you do

Looks good, and I also would like to know how you did it?, did you remove the the chrome bars and place the mesh over it or did you gut the center, if so ...what did you glue the mesh to?

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I don't do much strength training... or weightlifting for that matter. Pushups/crunches/pull-ups at home.

I pulled off the front grille, removed the hash and used a big jigsaw to cut out the "blades." A dremel cleaned them up really well, and I left the very top and bottom horizontal portions to glue the mesh to. I cut out a basic shape with a dremel and cutting wheel, but I used a bench grinder to smooth it out and get it to match the shape I needed exactly. It was glued on in several "stages" using LOTS of clamps and dowels to hold part down, then glue the next part... etc. For the hash I just drilled holes in the mesh where it needed to be (tis a bit high.. ). I used an RV sealant glue which was flexible and clear. Then I taped it off and painted.

The lower portions were made with the original plastic as a template. Dremel a basic shape, bench grinder to polish it off.

The biggest drawback is that it catches bugs... a LOT of bugs. But I guess that means they're not getting in to the radiator. Meh, they don't hurt either part.