Custom fiberglass grille installed

[Martin Roy]

Hi all, I received the custom fiberglass grille oredered from eBay last week and I though I would share my experience with you.

First, shipping was OK and I didn't have to pay for any customs or duty taxes even if it came from the US (marked as a gift). It arrived in two layers of plastic bags within a cardboard box. Shipping didn't seem to damage the item.

At first, I was dissapointed. The eBay listing shows the grille as a pure white, so I thought a clear coat would be enough. As it turns out, the grille arrived unpainted, slightly primed and very roughly sanded. You could see some pretty deep marks in the sanding and some "uneven-ness" in the fiberglass.

Then, for the metal net (or mesh), it was your basic metal pattern from any hardware store. They were fixed to the frame using seven metal tabs that could be unfolded to remove the mesh.

The mesh out, I simply painted it black with Krylon paint. Even if it's for plastic, it worked OK.

The frame itself was kind of a challenge for me. Since I'm an absolute newby (noobie, noob, whatever ) at car customizing, I never had any previous experience with painting or sanding, except for my door handles. I decided to use Krylon white paint as a primer, applying many coats until most of the marks were filled evenly. I then proceded to sanding, making sure everything was even and removing a few runs.

I applied some clear coats to protect the paint, but it was getting dark outside, so I wasn't able to fully check my work.

For the installation, after removing the original grille (thanks to CodeRed's tutorial on blacking out the grille), the grille was an OK fit, not more. It got in place without any problems, but the fiberglasse grille doesn't have the six tabs in the lower part to keep it in place. It has some fiberglass extensions that fit in the holes, but not like the real tabs. The top part is a perfect fit with the the holes. Only the lower sides can be pushed to show the small amplitude.

Post-mortem: As a first painting experience, I'm pretty happy with the result. I did notice a few runs that need sanding to even the overall apperance, but I'll correct that in the next few weeks or next spring. Any advices/tips are more than welcomed ! Also, I need your help on something: Whenever I use clear coat, I can't get the paint to show the same "glossyness" (how many words am I making up so far ?) as the rest of the car. Do I have to apply heavier coats ? More coats ? Change brand ?

Thanks guys and girl (Kimber seems to be the only one), this forum has been of great help ! You can check my cardomain page for more pictures.

[matt_a]

Cool grill! Very unique...I like it.

[bulld0g]

looks good....glad to see it went to someone on the site...

[Ever Victorious]

Thanks guys and girl (Kimber seems to be the only one), this forum has been of great help ! You can check my cardomain page for more pictures.

Oh, there's many more than her. She's just the loudest. Danged rowdy crew.... hehehe

[COVersaSL]

Looks very cool. Anyone know where I can get some Sonoma Sunset Krylon? I wonder what it would look like w/o the bug deflector?

[Ever Victorious]

Looks very cool. Anyone know where I can get some Sonoma Sunset Krylon? I wonder what it would look like w/o the bug deflector?

As long as you use the appropriate primer for the material underneath, you should just be able to go to a body shop and have them make spray cans of Sonoma Sunset as an exact match. If the fiberglass/plastic is primed, you don't have to worry about what type of paint coat you use, because it should just stick to the primer.

[COVersaSL]

That probably won't be the same cost as Krylon.... plus $115 for grille not too bad I guess.

[CodeRed]

For the heavy gloss look back at my tutorial. I tell you what clear coat is good and will give it a high gloss. The clear coat you can apply much thicker then the paint coat. This is what gives you that 'shineyness'

[ms_stylin_versa]

Thanks guys and girl (Kimber seems to be the only one), this forum has been of great help ! You can check my cardomain page for more pictures.

I'm a chick too... but usually I just sit back

[shreqboi909]

damn codered...im impressed with ur skills.....i remember when u wanted me to black out ur grill because you were too scared to do it yourself...but im glad u have it under control now

[COVersaSL]

What do you think??

[CodeRed]

What do you think??

To be completely honest, that looks really stupid. I mean.... really really...really stupid. Oh and ugly.

[COVersaSL]

Ouch!

[shreqboi909]

i second that OUCH!

[KimberKenobi]

To be completely honest, that looks really stupid. I mean.... really really...really stupid. Oh and ugly.

O.O

...

O.o

...

no, okay, yeah, he really did type that... sarcasm? maybe just kidding... umm... I'm not sure...

[COVersaSL]

I wonder if he would care to elaborate on the stupid part... did he think it was like a little stupid or alot stupid.. I am getting mixed messages.

[shreqboi909]

it brought tears to my face, to hear someone talk about a V like that and not give an explanation

[CodeRed]

Let me explain myself. I don't like the grille. Period. Not my cup 'o tea. Ask bulld0g for a proper photochop

[COVersaSL]

LOL I can do better I was just doin a quicky. Someone is sure in a pissy mood tonight.

I think the grille is pretty sweet I might do it.

[CodeRed]

Nope im not pissy. I just don't like that grille

[XterraVersa]

Does it look like a Pontiac Vibe to anyone else?

[TrustME]

Not until you said anything.

[versaspeed.com]

For those of you that are not into that type of grill, I will be having a different "more open look" grill in about "Six to Eight weeks" geeze there goes that phrase again!But honestly I do have one being made up now and this is the time to make the gigs etc. and make them which will be here here in the good old US! So.Cal. to be exact.And I hope when you see the finished product it will remind you more of a BMW or EVO or anything sporty........I hope......

[TrustME]

6 to 8 weeks! Jeezeeee... Lol. I can't wait for that.