Interior Exterior
Q:
I wanted to start this thread to detail my current project to replace the fins on my car with mesh. I know someone has already done this successfully. First step is choosing which pattern to put onto the car. I just recieved my sample set from customcargrills.com. They are all made of aluminum. Thus far I've eliminated the larger sized mesh (diamond xxl flat, diamond extreme, diamnond xxl, stacking oval) from the running. As for the others I'll have to put them up against the car to see what I like best. I'll anodize them matte black when done.
Edit:
The woven wire mesh is not aluminum, but 340 stainless steel. That's out of the running for sure now. Don't want to deal with rust issue.
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Can't wait to see how your project turns out. I was just thinking about how to change my grills this morning. Are you going to try and replace the cheese graters on the sides as well?
Good luck and please take LOTS of pics.
jacob
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Does anyone know which of these is closest to the mesh on the Exige?
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I'm going to be ambitious and try to replace all the fins and maybe the rear panel. *crossing fingers* I haven't decided on what to do with the small fins in the rear yet. I don't like the idea of yanking them out and filling it in as I've seen done before. Maybe small mesh inserts? Dunno just yet.
I looks like the Hex XXL is most similar to the exige mesh.
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As you know I done all of these things on my car already. Let me know if you need any help. I was going to market the fronf grilles but I haven't got enough time to do it since we are busy with other projects. We will get them done sooner or later.
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C'mon.....put together a survey and let us vote.....
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Trieu,
Hehe... sound like another project I'm thinking of doing right after you figure it out first ;-)
Actually, I did this on both my Audi and my Porsche 996C2 (with GT3 aerokit). I also looked at the expensive custom auto grade DIY mesh and got a sample. However, I stumbled onto a DIY source for mesh thats nearly identical to your small diamond and is MUCH cheaper.
Go to Home Depot or Lowes, go to the gutter section, and get a bunch of gutter guard mesh covers. They work great for DIY grilles so long as you don't need one bigger than say 30" x 10".... Plus they cost $1.50 or so and are aluminum so they're light and won't rust. I'll have to measure and see it they are big enough to cover all the openings.
Cheap enough to do a few trial and error attempts.
Are you coming to the drive next Sat? I'll be sending out all the details this weekend. I have some mesh you can have if you want to check it out. I definitely want to do this also so if you want to team up let me know.
BTW, theres a DIY Mesh grille link around here somewhere. Some guy with a Bordeaux did it. I have the link on another PC.
Take care pal
-Dave
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I noticed a lot of debris in my air filter recently, same as many other people are reporting. If you do this project, consider using smaller mesh over the side intakes than over the front and back to help alleviated some of this. I realize it might just keep out the "bowling balls", but it's worth considering, functionally.
Beyond that, I think I like the hex or diamond shapes best.
I'm interested in seeing more people do this mod as I think it looks great. I may consider it too but don't have the time for it this summer, maybe this winter.
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The woven wire mesh is not aluminum, but 340 stainless steel. That's out of the running for sure now. Don't want to deal with rust issue.
As far as I know, stainless steel doesn't rust. I've had a T340 stainless exhaust system on another car for the past 10 years, it's been through 10 New England winters, and it still looks perfect. I would say that it will hold up as good if not better than the Aluminum.
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As far as I know, stainless steel doesn't rust. I've had a T340 stainless exhaust system on another car for the past 10 years, it's been through 10 New England winters, and it still looks perfect. I would say that it will hold up as good if not better than the Aluminum.
It depends on the alloy, heat treat,and environment.Many "stainless steels'' will rust or oxidize, 17/4 and 440c are just a couple that will. Don
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It depends on the alloy, heat treat,and environment.Many "stainless steels'' will rust or oxidize, 17/4 and 440c are just a couple that will. Don
That's what I thought too. I checked the site again and it says 304 Stainless.
Regardeless, it's heavier than AL and the woven weave doesn't look good on the car anyway.
If you do this project, consider using smaller mesh over the side intakes than over the front and back to help alleviated some of this. I realize it might just keep out the "bowling balls", but it's worth considering, functionally.
Beyond that, I think I like the hex or diamond shapes best.
I'm leaning towards the hex shape over the diamond. The hex shape is more equilateral and not as oblong as the diamond. It suits the car.
I think using the smaller hex on the side vents is a good idea too because it's more proportional to the size of the opening. It looks like the CF scoops on Sector 111 uses the smaller ones and it looks good.
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Are you coming to the drive next Sat? I'll be sending out all the details this weekend. I have some mesh you can have if you want to check it out. I definitely want to do this also so if you want to team up let me know.
BTW, theres a DIY Mesh grille link around here somewhere. Some guy with a Bordeaux did it. I have the link on another PC.
Take care pal
-Dave
Yup I'll be at the next drive. I'll check Home Depot tomorrow. I saw the DIY mesh from the BRP car. It's on sandsmuseum.com
Are you going to the car meet in Cedar Park tomorrow?
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As you know I done all of these things on my car already. Let me know if you need any help.
If you really wanna help how 'bout a free set of carbon clams, doors, boot and covers? This would REALLY help me with the mesh.
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If you really wanna help how 'bout a free set of carbon clams, doors, boot and covers? This would REALLY help me with the mesh.
Sorry no free CF stuff. Since you already know everything about it good luck to you on your project. I've been there and done that.
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Dave,
I checked out the mesh at HD. It's way too flimsy for this application. The stuff I have from customcargrills is thicker.
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Trieu,
Yeah, they are a bit flimsy. On my 911 it had very narrow grille openings, so I just cut tabs into it and screwed it into the stock mounting locations. It was very sturdy, but only because it was mounted down in so many locations and was only about 4" at its widest point.
Have you seen these? The pics look very nice.
http://www.eliseusa.com/elisegrille2.htm
They're only $80. Not bad if they are built nicely. Might be more cost effective than spending hours fabricating a DIY solution. Would be easy to paint or powder coat I think (I've been looking for an excuse to get a powdercoating kit for my compressor).
Anyways, I'd also be up for doing a DIY on the radiator grilles and perhaps the engine cover. If you're thinking the same thing, lets chat next weekend.
Know anyone who can lay fiberglass? Some side scoops might also be worthwhile, especially since you've perfected the color matching paint process.
EDIT: BTW, I have some silver stripes coming this week. I figure I can always take them off if I don't like it. Shouldn't be too hard I don't think, and DIY is pretty cheap.
-Dave
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Trieu,
Have you seen these? The pics look very nice.
http://www.eliseusa.com/elisegrille2.htm
They're only $80. Not bad if they are built nicely. Might be more cost effective than spending hours fabricating a DIY solution. Would be easy to paint or powder coat I think (I've been looking for an excuse to get a powdercoating kit for my compressor).
Anyways, I'd also be up for doing a DIY on the radiator grilles and perhaps the engine cover. If you're thinking the same thing, lets chat next weekend.
-Dave
I ordered it through the thread listed above. I wanted see their product and its quality. They charged my credit card more than 2 months ago and I just received an email from them saying that they aren't ready and want to refund my money. Take my advise and don't order one.
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I ordered it through the thread listed above. I wanted see their product and its quality. They charged my credit card more than 2 months ago and I just received an email from them saying that they aren't ready and want to refund my money. Take my advise and don't order one.
Thanks. I figured they were flakey. I emailed them twice about the grills and never got a reply. Glad I didn't order from them.
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Any updates on this mesh grill project? Anyone fabricating these for sale yet?
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I like the last one, "Perforated Mesh". Looks easiest to wash, and reminds me of the black exhaust covering above the rear diffuser.