Mesh Grille Mod

[MH3.0R]

Gave it a quick rub down with 400 grit and it was smooth as a babies bu.....

Added two more coats of spray putty and filled a few more dips and tiny holes. Will give it another coat tomorrow then prepare for the paint.

[MH3.0R]

Well, through last week, I managed another several coats of spray putty with light rub back in between. Managed to "fill" out some of the imperfections, good enough as I wanted the job finished this weekend.

Yesterday, did 3 coats of spray paint, got all excited that it was finished, removed the masking tape, and some of the edges peeled and cracked at the line of the masking tape. Doh !!!

So, today, remasked with no overlap (just the chrome bits), then a light ub back over the cracked / rough edges, then two more light sprays, just to cover nicely.

And hey presto......





Now I am thinking about the mesh. Do I want to fix it to this assembly or do I want to leave it as a second piece?

I am going to turn up at the Melb Cruise next week with the two piece version and take opinions at that time, then I will just do what I want anyway!!!

[castek]

Looking good. Id do the mesh as one piece, it'd look more finished

[MH3.0R]

Well, I am kinda enjoying the two piece idea as last week I ran the matt black mesh and this week I am running the silver mesh. They are both growing on me. So the flexibility is only limited by the different colour mesh I can obtain! I just might get a blue and a red, hell, maybe even a gold if I can find one

A couple of very basic pics of the finished grilles in black, and then silver:

BLACK.....



SILVER....



BLACK....



SILVER...



I did warn you all, that I would just do what I want anyway....and still doing it

[hamish_023]

Black 100%. silver looks cheap to me, see it on all the lancers and commodores gross fibreglass bodykits.

Looks lost without a badge though

[Greenman]

Nice touch Mark.

[MH3.0R]

Hamish, still toying with the idea of a badge. Kinda like it without, but.....

John, thanks. Bit of effort, but I think it was worthwhile. Learned something new in the process.

[cruisn]

Black mesh and add the factory badge to it. Finished.

[MH3.0R]

Yeah, I am leaning toward the black mesh. Now for the badge, I will think of a way to make it removable so I can play with it a bit!

[Kekotic]

Mark have a look through japanparts for some of the badges.

The K2 gear have a wet carbon style Subaru badge, looks the goods I reckon.

[MH3.0R]

Good spotting Kieran. I had a look, but fell off my chair when I saw the price! Here is a guy who thinks nothing of spedning six weeks tinkering in the shed occasionally to mod his own grile (cost $100 approx). Now to spend another $200+ for just the badge You got me thinking, how hard would it be to make my own...

[Kekotic]

You got me thinking, how hard would it be to make my own...

You are officially insane!

I'm not sure on what the price would end up being if you went through PHAT, might be at least worth a look if you really do like the look of the badge.
Although I agree the price on those K2 badges is absolutely insane.


This badge is only around $60, not sure how much different it is to your original one though, maybe you could buy one and pull it apart and put the carbon backing inside?
The original replacement ones are $40, so I guess the above one is a much brighter blue maybe with a better finish?

[castek]

i used the factory badge, areldited two small threaded screws to the back of it and fixed it to the grille with washers and nuts on the other side, easily removed

[MH3.0R]

Yep, Like that mount thanks John. Thanks.

[MH3.0R]

Not quite as professional as the shot of the blue one posted above by Kieran, but here is some shots of the badged black version: