Home depot grill mod. You want to see my what!!
08-26-2006, 07:49 PM
#1
Home depot grill mod. You want to see my what!!
I haven't seen this done so if it has please don't flame me.
I wanted something different than the stock grill but the aftermarket replacements were a bit too much for me. I'm going for a look that's different but doesn't scream "aftermarket". I wanted to incorperate the stock grill into a mod that was more low key.
I plan on blacking the mesh out to match the lower pieces. I'm planning on blacking out and clearing the lights and painting the chrome trim around the windows also. Basicaly going with the blacked out look.
I did a quick install to show how it looks before painting. I think it looks kind of cool unpainted but it doesn't fit what I'm going for.
I was planning on leaving tabs on the pieces to install them but figured out it would be better without them when I did the bottom two. You can see the tabs a little bit on some of the pieces but those won't be there when I'm done. Like I said, this isn't the final install. Just for pics.
I'll post more pics when I get them painted.
Let me know what you think.
I wanted something different than the stock grill but the aftermarket replacements were a bit too much for me. I'm going for a look that's different but doesn't scream "aftermarket". I wanted to incorperate the stock grill into a mod that was more low key.
I plan on blacking the mesh out to match the lower pieces. I'm planning on blacking out and clearing the lights and painting the chrome trim around the windows also. Basicaly going with the blacked out look.
I did a quick install to show how it looks before painting. I think it looks kind of cool unpainted but it doesn't fit what I'm going for.
I was planning on leaving tabs on the pieces to install them but figured out it would be better without them when I did the bottom two. You can see the tabs a little bit on some of the pieces but those won't be there when I'm done. Like I said, this isn't the final install. Just for pics.
I'll post more pics when I get them painted.
Let me know what you think.
08-26-2006, 08:07 PM
#3
looks good (and familiar) 
Don't know if I've seen any 5.5 guys with it yet, so maybe you're the first....
i assume that's the standard galvanized gutter guard material?
mine is kind of hard to see in this shot because it's painted black....
[img]
[/img]
Don't know if I've seen any 5.5 guys with it yet, so maybe you're the first....i assume that's the standard galvanized gutter guard material?
mine is kind of hard to see in this shot because it's painted black....
[img]
[/img]
08-26-2006, 08:14 PM
#7
oh, I forgot to mention the mesh is GREAT if you like collecting various insects in the grille. My collection includes several wasps, bees, butterflies, moths, and a cicada 
It has also helped out my collection of leaves.
It has also helped out my collection of leaves.
08-26-2006, 08:15 PM
#8
Originally Posted by LA02MAX
You did an excellent job on the cutting. Did you make a bunch of templates first? I really like it like that, but I agree that it does look a little too bright for the color of your car.
If he actually DID cut it though, it's very impressive how straight it is, no doubt.
08-26-2006, 08:20 PM
#9
[QUOTE=irish44j]looks good (and familiar) Don't know if I've seen any 5.5 guys with it yet, so maybe you're the first....
i assume that's the standard galvanized gutter guard material?
mine is kind of hard to see in this shot because it's painted black....
QUOTE]
Yeah, same stuff. I started playing with it to cover the lower scoops because my AC condencer was getting really beat up from debris. I started thinking that one good hit could take it out leaving me with no AC here in Florida.
Does yours install from behind the grill? I think it'll be more visible on the 5.5 grill even after painting.
Don't know if I've seen any 5.5 guys with it yet, so maybe you're the first....i assume that's the standard galvanized gutter guard material?
mine is kind of hard to see in this shot because it's painted black....
QUOTE]
Yeah, same stuff. I started playing with it to cover the lower scoops because my AC condencer was getting really beat up from debris. I started thinking that one good hit could take it out leaving me with no AC here in Florida.
Does yours install from behind the grill? I think it'll be more visible on the 5.5 grill even after painting.
08-26-2006, 08:32 PM
#11
Originally Posted by irish44j
if he did it like I did, it's just one big piece (well, actually 2 - one on each side of the grille center) running behind the OEM grille. Stays in place better that way.
If he actually DID cut it though, it's very impressive how straight it is, no doubt.
If he actually DID cut it though, it's very impressive how straight it is, no doubt.
I did use cardboard templates to get the basic shape then trimmed them to fit. Since they're in front they have to be just right. The edges don't go behind anything. They're right there.
08-26-2006, 09:23 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Skylowmax
DAMN Man that looks HOT...I want mines Just like that!! where u get that grill from?
08-26-2006, 09:28 PM
#18
Originally Posted by misiek
looks pretty sweet are you blacking out the stock grill as well?
Originally Posted by cil1jtr02max
looks real nice withouth the paint, though i do want to see it painted. I may have to bite that mod.
08-27-2006, 10:54 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 663
Perfect! Thats what kind of look I was going for on mine too, but I tried it a few years back with chicken fence, yeah yeah yeah I know! Turned out ok, but hard to see in the back ground like Irish's Max. But I'm definitely diggin yours Derrick. Nice job, looks like it came that way from the factory!
Looks good even just like that.
08-27-2006, 04:18 PM
#25
Great job man... I did this with my stock grille but had the grille painted the same color as the car. With yours being blue you could paint your grille the same color then add the mesh behind it. I think it would set it off for sure having just the nissan biscuit and mesh with the chrome look.
08-27-2006, 04:30 PM
#26
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
looks really good! im looking for something to do with my 2001 GLE...i cant seem to find anything that i like but that looks good! Id love to see a how-to as far as placement and mounting, or pay you to make some for me
08-27-2006, 05:01 PM
#27
Originally Posted by nelainaform
looks really good! im looking for something to do with my 2001 GLE...i cant seem to find anything that i like but that looks good! Id love to see a how-to as far as placement and mounting, or pay you to make some for me
08-27-2006, 05:05 PM
#28
I got the pieces painted and reinstalled today. Here are the pics with them blacked out. I'm going to paint the whole grill soon. The front of the car is still too bright. I didn't have great light for the pictures. The mesh stands out a little more in real life.
08-28-2006, 05:15 AM
#36
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
Your car has a different grill. Irish has a picture of his setup higher up in this thread. He has the same grill as your car.
08-28-2006, 09:04 AM
#37
VERY NICE! 
I was just looking at the aftermarket grills and cringed at the prices. I think it looked better before paint though (no offense). It really "popped". I have the titanium paint, so it will be more subtle, but should look great. Thanks... Now I have something inexpensive to do over the holiday weekend.
I was just looking at the aftermarket grills and cringed at the prices. I think it looked better before paint though (no offense). It really "popped". I have the titanium paint, so it will be more subtle, but should look great. Thanks... Now I have something inexpensive to do over the holiday weekend.
08-28-2006, 09:11 AM
#38
This has been done before by skoodaddy. The only difference is he wrapped his in rubber door guard molding. Looks good 
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=438166
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=438166
