DIY: 3.0R custom grill
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:32 pmHopefully this can be included in the DIY section
I have had a look around for a grill for my 3.0R but was quite undecided about the selection avaliable
The Corazon was great but i wanted to keep the chrome surround as i like the classy aspect considering the chrome sideskirt bits and the future scuff plate at the rear. I loved the Subaru sports mesh grill but did not like the mesh used in that type ( i prefer the GTB honeycomb mesh) and i did not wat the carbon fibre type.
So i decided to make my own....
I sourced a spare grill as i did not want to do it to my original considering the time it would take, and then began the journey.
Difficulty: Meduim
Skills: Meduim
Time: 5-7 hrs
Items i have used to go this include;
Rockwell multi purpose tool
Rockwell rotary tool (cutting discs and grinding stones)
Masking ake
Race tape
Blade putty
Wax and grease remover
Microfiber cloth
Mesh
Side cutters
Black paint
Plastic primer
Cardboard
Liqid nails
I started by removing the wing and badge from the grill. I also masked the chrome from being scratched.
Once that was done i took at it with the multi purpose tool cutting each side of the wings and then tidied up with the rotary tool
Once that was done i used my race tape to cover the outer gaps in the grill where the wings were attached. I then applied the blade putty to the inside of the tape which held the shape for the putty to set.
After that was done there was the issue of filling the middle section next to the badge mount. there was two different angles on that part so i had to do one part, let it set and then do the other angle. I used a spare piece of cardboard to cut the shape left from cutting out the wings, taped it into place and filled it with blade putty. Once that dried i taped across to the other point and filled that with the putty too. After i had let that dry came the fun part.... sanding. i sanded for hours making sure i could smoothen it to be un noticeable (at this point the middle was not done).
Once i was happy with the feel i decided to re-tape the chrome, apply wax and grease remover to the grill and paint it.once that was done i wanted to see what the look would be with the mesh in. So i cut the shape around the grill for either side ( i thought two pieces would work better than one long piece. The result so far....
i finished the rest of the mesh and held it in with race tape to see the look of it completed...
i then took it outside to test fit onto the vehicle.... the final result-
I have since removed the grill so i can re-sand a few imperfections and re-paint with matt black instead of midnight which i did. I will then softly bend the mesh around and liquid nail the mesh around.
That is pretty much it
Im sure i missed a bit but this is my first real diy project on the lib so hopefully people like it
I have had a look around for a grill for my 3.0R but was quite undecided about the selection avaliable
The Corazon was great but i wanted to keep the chrome surround as i like the classy aspect considering the chrome sideskirt bits and the future scuff plate at the rear. I loved the Subaru sports mesh grill but did not like the mesh used in that type ( i prefer the GTB honeycomb mesh) and i did not wat the carbon fibre type.
So i decided to make my own....
I sourced a spare grill as i did not want to do it to my original considering the time it would take, and then began the journey.
Difficulty: Meduim
Skills: Meduim
Time: 5-7 hrs
Items i have used to go this include;
Rockwell multi purpose tool
Rockwell rotary tool (cutting discs and grinding stones)
Masking ake
Race tape
Blade putty
Wax and grease remover
Microfiber cloth
Mesh
Side cutters
Black paint
Plastic primer
Cardboard
Liqid nails
I started by removing the wing and badge from the grill. I also masked the chrome from being scratched.
- FIRST PREP.jpg (121.81 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
Once that was done i took at it with the multi purpose tool cutting each side of the wings and then tidied up with the rotary tool
- WINGS OFF.jpg (135.73 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
Once that was done i used my race tape to cover the outer gaps in the grill where the wings were attached. I then applied the blade putty to the inside of the tape which held the shape for the putty to set.
- FILLING SIDES.jpg (117.02 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
After that was done there was the issue of filling the middle section next to the badge mount. there was two different angles on that part so i had to do one part, let it set and then do the other angle. I used a spare piece of cardboard to cut the shape left from cutting out the wings, taped it into place and filled it with blade putty. Once that dried i taped across to the other point and filled that with the putty too. After i had let that dry came the fun part.... sanding. i sanded for hours making sure i could smoothen it to be un noticeable (at this point the middle was not done).
- SANDING DOWN.jpg (140.2 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
Once i was happy with the feel i decided to re-tape the chrome, apply wax and grease remover to the grill and paint it.once that was done i wanted to see what the look would be with the mesh in. So i cut the shape around the grill for either side ( i thought two pieces would work better than one long piece. The result so far....
- HALF MESH.jpg (146.44 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
i finished the rest of the mesh and held it in with race tape to see the look of it completed...
- FULL MESH.jpg (163.09 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
i then took it outside to test fit onto the vehicle.... the final result-
- RESULT.jpg (116.72 KiB) Viewed 4123 times
I have since removed the grill so i can re-sand a few imperfections and re-paint with matt black instead of midnight which i did. I will then softly bend the mesh around and liquid nail the mesh around.
That is pretty much it
Im sure i missed a bit but this is my first real diy project on the lib so hopefully people like it
