Madmiles

A couple of weeks ago I bought a Mina Gallery stainless mesh grille for the 460. It was listed as a 2007 and I have a 2008 but was told (not by them, by others) that 07-09 were the same. Not so (or theirs doesn't fit any of them). Regardless, mine didn't fit quite exactly. So this weekend I began the paint-to-match, beat-to-fit process of getting this installed. I have an awesome set of tools, so I can do anything, right?

Here is the parts that arrived for $250. (available on Amazon too)

No instructions mind you, just parts. That's okay, I bet I can figure this out.

Here's the first test fit. It's hanging a bit crooked, but important is that it's wider than stock.



First thing to do is make the silver on the stock grille go away so it can't be seen. This thing "bolts" over the existing so I painted it flat black.



Here is how the grille is supposed to attach. The black bar goes on the backside of the stock grille, the white plastic pokes through, then you bolt the mesh grille on through the grille into the plastic. Good thought, but the lengths of all components are wrong. The bottom assembly is the modified parts. Thank you Dremel. This took 90 minutes of trial and error.


Here is a PORTION of some of the extra parts I tried. Huge problem - the countersunk head of the supplied bolts is so small it slides through the holes in the mesh. It needs to be ever so slightly larger to hold and not fall through. Tried washers and several different bolts...4 trips to Home Depot


After trimming the grille to fit with the Dremel (can't use an angle grinder, it'll heat and up discolor the stainless, believe me...) and getting the right hardware, it fits.


Now, the lower sections. Again, they didn't fit. Not sure if it's just because it's a 2008 and these were made for 2007 or if they don't fit any of them. The upper one is trimmed, the lower one is ready to be cut. These came with a rubber half-circle around them so I could use the angle grinder and whack away because the rubber will cover the discoloration.


These lower sections only came with screws and I have no clue what they were to ever screw into. There is nothing back there but space. So I got some clear shelf supports and (L to R) ground off the post. Then drilled a pilot hole in them for the screw. Again, needed to add washers to get the screws to hold and not fall through the mesh.


Here are my little angles Super Glued to the existing lower grille. Put the mesh over and screw through into these and I should be there!


Again, much trimming and fine tuning, but yes, it fits.



Finished product. I like the way it came out very much. It was about a 14 hour project and at times, highly frustrating, but at a price point of $250, maybe that's what ya get.




Money shot. Yes, you can see the screws in this shot if you look close. It's because the flash is catching them. And from 4' you might see them, but beyond that, you really can't see them.

Silverpaws

Mad, "She said, "The only thing I"ll ask of you, you gotta promise not to stop when I say when..." What does she say about the grille?
Anyway, it is a good job. I am even excited about the possibility of painting my grille flat black. Will the chrome grill hold flat black paint or did you sand it?

I8ABMR

great job. The car looks great.

Madmiles

Silver, she likes it a lot better. She said it looks sportier and more classy.
I went over the stock grille with steel wool so the paint would adhere.

Silverpaws

I agree with her! Thanks for the info.

PRSUIT460

iTrader: (3)

I like the stock grille better but if you worked hard on it and like it, that's what matters!

Madmiles

Hey James, like this one.

adamls2

hmmm i want to do a mesh grill but in gloss black...

Lextrician

good job, I know the feeling of making something out of nothing.