Homemade Mesh (gutter guard) Grill DIY
#82
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if you wanted the rounded look so its flush with the out side of the grill not the back side i would recommend thinking of making some measurements and forming it over the existing grille and still attaching it with zip ties and then you still have your factory look if you don't like it or want to remove it you can and it will give you a different look i plan on trying this possibly this weekend if i can figure out how to post pics i will take many and update as it unfolds and how it looks
#83
#84
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I have a silver truck with a chrome grill. This is a picture of the grill while I was getting it together. I decided to leave the black fins in and just put the mesh behind them.
Photo0295-1.jpg
This is how I bent the lower mesh grill for the bumper valence.
Photo0292-1.jpg
This way, it'll hug the openings' top and bottom edges. I then drilled discrete holes along the inner edge of the openings (top and bottom <-- along the vertical parts). Slipped some clear zipties through and, voila, I was done. Took a bit of time getting the zipties in place with the condenser not giving me much room to work with, but I got it done in the dark with nothing but a head-mounted flashlight. I'll put a daytime picture up tomorrow of the finish job.
Photo0295-1.jpg
This is how I bent the lower mesh grill for the bumper valence.
Photo0292-1.jpg
This way, it'll hug the openings' top and bottom edges. I then drilled discrete holes along the inner edge of the openings (top and bottom <-- along the vertical parts). Slipped some clear zipties through and, voila, I was done. Took a bit of time getting the zipties in place with the condenser not giving me much room to work with, but I got it done in the dark with nothing but a head-mounted flashlight. I'll put a daytime picture up tomorrow of the finish job.
#85
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Photo0304.jpg
I also gave each of the mesh pieces 2 coats of clear coat to help prevent rust and/or tarnishing.
I only used 2 pieces of gutter guard and about 50'ish zip ties for top and bottom. That is a total cost of $5 since I already owned wire snips and pliers to do the grabbing and such. It also took me an evening to get it all done. I put more effort into the front grill since it is the most apparent and I open the hood a lot. I went with the wire hanger going to the side method for the latch. The bottom mesh doesn't ever get messed with so I just needed it to stay put.
I also gave each of the mesh pieces 2 coats of clear coat to help prevent rust and/or tarnishing.
I only used 2 pieces of gutter guard and about 50'ish zip ties for top and bottom. That is a total cost of $5 since I already owned wire snips and pliers to do the grabbing and such. It also took me an evening to get it all done. I put more effort into the front grill since it is the most apparent and I open the hood a lot. I went with the wire hanger going to the side method for the latch. The bottom mesh doesn't ever get messed with so I just needed it to stay put.
Last edited by Rantz; 08-16-2010 at 07:44 PM.
#86
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Can someone please post pics of theirs with a chrome grill? I am still trying to decide whether to put the shiny mesh behind the black fins. Or cut the fins out. Or paint it black and either keeping or removing the black fins. So I'd like to see some pictures to help me decide.
100_0572.jpg
#87
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I might take the black fins out eventually, but i am always hesitant to take too radical of a departure from stock as sometimes it is seen as tacky. My goal is to try to keep it as tasteful as possible. I do think that yours looks really good and fitting. Do you have a before shot as well for comparison?
#88