Modified Front Grille
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: WA
Modified Front Grille
After debadging the front, the car took on a more pronounced "smile" effect. I've balanced that by making the vertical elements of the grille subtlely more visible. Looks more aggressive a roadster I think with the change. Just the thing to continue the fun of watching drivers squint and frown in their rear view mirrors as they try to figure out what just pulled up behind them.
Took about half an hour using square shaped, uniform pieces of aluminum tape. Take care to center each piece and smooth down the leading spine first!
Pict in the gallery. (Added pict of unmodified grille so you can compare the two looks)
Took about half an hour using square shaped, uniform pieces of aluminum tape. Take care to center each piece and smooth down the leading spine first!
Pict in the gallery. (Added pict of unmodified grille so you can compare the two looks)
Last edited by Seattle SCone; Jul 28, 2002 at 10:47 PM.
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From: WA
Thanks for posting the images into the thread.
A couple of friends who have seen the new look have asked me where I took it in to have it done. When I tell them I did it in my garage, they were quite surprised.
A couple of friends who have seen the new look have asked me where I took it in to have it done. When I tell them I did it in my garage, they were quite surprised.
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From: WA
Today's debadged fun came from pulling up behind a guy and watching the usual puzzlement...... only a little more than usual this time. The guy was so distracted by the mystery in his rearview mirror that he momentarily missed the traffic light. The next two minutes he frantically stared between his rear view and side mirrors. I mean really stare with putting his face physically towards the mirrors. It was a wonder he stayed on the road. Finally at a stop light he mutters something to his dog and then throws up his arms in surrender. Just plain priceless 
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: WA
Not a lot to the procedure.
Obtain a roll of aluminum duct tape from the local hardware store. Get one which is nice, shiney and without printed lettering on the metal.
Clean and dry the grille.
Cut strips of aluminum tape which are slightly narrower than the spacing between the horizontal grille elements.
Peal off the tape backing from a strip. Cut off a square of the tape.
Keep each piece oriented the same way as you apply them to the vertical plastic struts of the grill.
I have fairly small hands so I just used my two forefingers to position each piece centered and square to the struts. Don't position the pieces too low or else you'll get an unsightly bulge at the bottom of the piece when you stick it down.
Stick the front edge down lightly and recheck positioning of the piece. Once verified smooth and burnish down the front edge first and then each side. Get it nice and well applied.
Repeat for each strut.
The result is an slightly different look which I prefer over the plain horizontal grill. If you don't like it, you can peal off the aluminum tape, albeit with some effort.
Obtain a roll of aluminum duct tape from the local hardware store. Get one which is nice, shiney and without printed lettering on the metal.
Clean and dry the grille.
Cut strips of aluminum tape which are slightly narrower than the spacing between the horizontal grille elements.
Peal off the tape backing from a strip. Cut off a square of the tape.
Keep each piece oriented the same way as you apply them to the vertical plastic struts of the grill.
I have fairly small hands so I just used my two forefingers to position each piece centered and square to the struts. Don't position the pieces too low or else you'll get an unsightly bulge at the bottom of the piece when you stick it down.
Stick the front edge down lightly and recheck positioning of the piece. Once verified smooth and burnish down the front edge first and then each side. Get it nice and well applied.
Repeat for each strut.
The result is an slightly different look which I prefer over the plain horizontal grill. If you don't like it, you can peal off the aluminum tape, albeit with some effort.
RX 300 & 350Z Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Georgia
Originally posted by TOPLEXS
I like what you did to your grill, but I don't understand what that goofy looking black "bumper protector" is doing mounted on the front center of your bumper?
I like what you did to your grill, but I don't understand what that goofy looking black "bumper protector" is doing mounted on the front center of your bumper?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6
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From: NC
Not truly knowing but is this an entirely new grill you guys are using or is this simply the existing grill with the "L" taken away?
I would have thought the "L" would leave a mark or at least have a housing around it.
I would have thought the "L" would leave a mark or at least have a housing around it.