Grill Mesh- Do It Yourself

[smlzalero]

I've been meaning to do this for a while and finally got around to it so I figured I'd snap some pics and put up a how-to since nobody's bothered to yet :)

I got gutter-cover mesh in 3 foot pieces from ACE. This whole mod cost me under $10.

1. Cut pieces of mesh to fit in behind the holes in the bumper. To do this I eyeballed to get the length and then just snipped corners off until the piece fit enough to cover the hole.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5637/meshgrill0021ju.jpg

2. it helped me to fit the pieces if I bent the top of the mesh forward before putting it in
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1123/meshgrill0128tx.jpg

3. once you have a good fit, put the mesh between the fog light and the bumper.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/8000/meshgrill0086yn.jpg

4. once the mesh is in and it's covering the entire hole, i snipped the mesh to go around this piece so it would sit flush.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1060/meshgrill0130wr.jpg

5. It's a surprisingly snug fit in front of the fogs so I just bent the edges of the mesh around the inside of the bumper and I didn't use any glue or silicone.
it doesn't look bent in this pic, though
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2550/meshgrill0155ir.jpg

6. For the center piece I snipped the mesh to fit around the 2 parts of the center hole that stick in towards the radiator.
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3738/meshgrill0194ci.jpg

7. Then I folded the extra (I should have cut this piece a little shorter, but I wanted to be safe) around the back of the hole.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5240/meshgrill0175kh.jpg

8. Then I applied liquid nails project glue to the mesh AND plastic of the bumper.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/159/meshgrill0222hm.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1848/meshgrill0201op.jpg
hey look, I've got some crap on my radiator, lol

9. That's pretty much it. Just make sure you trim & position the mesh so that it's straight and the pattern of the holes line up all the way across so you have a uniform look.

Finished pics:

http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/2885/meshgrill0164qb.jpg
http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/1408/meshgrill0187uv.jpg
http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/7884/meshgrill0287nb.jpg
http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/9567/meshgrill0308nb.jpg

[Eh_nigma]

Right on! It looks pretty good... I have this ominous feeling that I'll be refering to this in the near future for my Alero.

[King Asoka]

very sharp. ill be doign this mod as soon as school is done.

[cobra621]

I just did my own grille mesh. Excellent writeup :)

[Eh_nigma]

Might sound like a silly question to ask... how impact resistant are they? I do a lot of highway driving, and rocks/bugs/pedestrians are always a threat... oh wait, scratch that last one...

I've never used liquid nails before and I was wondering about that...

[DRA-GON]

Good write up I am going to do that this weekend. Thanks :thumb:

I finally got a digi cam so I can take pics of it when done

[smlzalero]

Originally posted by Eh_nigma@Jul 28 2005, 02:08 AM
Might sound like a silly question to ask... how impact resistant are they? I do a lot of highway driving, and rocks/bugs/pedestrians are always a threat... oh wait, scratch that last one...

I've never used liquid nails before and I was wondering about that...
Quoted post

Well I drove to work this morning and it's still on there :P ... I think, lol.

It's aluminum so it'll probably bend if you get something pretty big flying at it, but it's not hard to do and inexpensive. If something knocks one out just replace it, no biggie. Also.. I would bet the only thing you really need to worry about would be the stuff getting little dings in it but you can just bend it back.

[ptrudel]

cool writeup..only thing, i don't think that glue will hold up to snowbanks :blink:

[Crolero]

looks good smlz, would it be better if you cut out a piece for the fog lights?

[smlzalero]

Originally posted by 2000_olds_alero+Jul 28 2005, 12:19 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(2000_olds_alero @ Jul 28 2005, 12:19 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>cool writeup..only thing, i don't think that glue will hold up to snowbanks :blink:
Quoted post
[/b]
that's liquid nails, foo... lol

I thought about that and I'll probably glue around the entire center mesh to help avoid that.

<!--QuoteBegin-Crolero@Jul 28 2005, 12:25 PM
looks good smlz, would it be better if you cut out a piece for the fog lights?
Quoted post
[/quote]
I was originally going to do that but I didn't feel like jacking my car up or taking the fogs out. I have a good idea for it, though, so it will probably happen in the future :thumb:



And yes, I know the center mesh is reverse from the side meshes... I cut it upside down on accident so I'll probably be redoing the center and I'll trim the sides shorter next time, lol.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

my mesh stayed on fairly well for the month that it was on before it got smacked by a GAGT. :P

also, make sure that you get stainless stuff, or put a clear coat on the mesh, that way you can just hose it down to clean it off.

[Cyber Knight]

Originally posted by Eh_nigma@Jul 28 2005, 12:08 AM
Might sound like a silly question to ask... how impact resistant are they? I do a lot of highway driving, and rocks/bugs/pedestrians are always a threat... oh wait, scratch that last one...

I've never used liquid nails before and I was wondering about that...
Quoted post

You can also get plastic gutter mesh which obviously won't dent, and it's super light, I just used a few cable ties to fasten mine in place.

[smlzalero]

^ I never understood that... what did you tie it to? I found nothing to tie to.

[Cyber Knight]

I drilled some holes around the edges, four for the centre and 2 for each side area. The cable ties are tiny so the holes are only like 1/4". You wouldn't be able to notice unless you had your head under the car.

[smlzalero]

Ahh... I guess I was assuming people were using preexisting stuff. I suppose that would be as noticable as turtle's use of screws. I still think my liquid nails is better :P

[UnoWHO]

your a bugger lol I was gunna do this mod this weekend so i guess ive got some pointers now, Nice job, your goin CRAZY on ur car ;-D

[bigmikerlo]

I used some good old fashion bondo on mine all the way arround the edges after it was folded and pressed arround the openings, good write up thow.

[Nik1128]

I reccomend you wear gloves while doing this mod... I sliced my hands up pretty good before I gained the sense to put some gloves on.

[cherrington17]

yes, being careful when working w/ metal and tin snips is a good plan. its just like me w/ my soldering gun. i have some wicked scars from it.

if your a little more wreckless (like most guys are) hand protection is mandatory!

[Redog]

Looks like the way I did it :thumb:

[Blue87]

Nice Job smlz

i Just went and got that mesh and a thing of liquid nails for 10$ :biggrin: so i'll be doing this soon I'll have pics up then

[InFaMoUs_ALERO_210]

cool writeup..only thing, i don't think that glue will hold up to snowbanks :blink:

just use some of those self tapping screws they will hold even impacting a racoon lol the only thing is that it is uncomfortable to screw down there lol :haha:

[[ion] C2]

The last post in this thread was on August 8, 2005.

FYI. :)

[SittinOnChrome]

I drilled holes and used zip ties lol

[bizarre179]

Very good tutorial. Never thought of using liquid nails... I was always told to use a small amount of bondo of fiberglass. I applaud you sir.

[cherrington17]

sir? smlz was a female, is no longer a member, and posted this 3 years ago!

[TheMeaningOfLife]

Just so you know, thats not a sir.

[Midgear]

lol.. why start a new one when this one already exists :P

look at all the interested people- dead threads do deserve a second chance :lol:

does this mesh have a specific name?

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

lol.. why start a new one when this one already exists :P

look at all the interested people- dead threads do deserve a second chance :lol:

does this mesh have a specific name?
just grille mesh. easy to find on ebay.

[Midgear]

just grille mesh. easy to find on ebay.

im not ordering something off a website if i can find it locally O_o


thanks for suggesting though lol

[adam337]

^menards. Gutter mesh.

[01oldsgls]

hey thread jesus, easter was MONTHS AGO!

nice mesh though

[darksobsession]

cool, i gotta do this for my body kit!

[Alero_1986]

where is a good place to buy the metal gutter guard in Canada? Home Depot doesn't stock it. I have checked a few

[tw0123]

you could check canadian tire... they have some stuff there, usually in the ricer section of the auto parts section of the store... or just try waiting a bit... fall is coming fast and as the leaves fall, stores will bring in the gutter mesh again...

[Alero_1986]

been to Canadian tire.. no luck.

Home depot sells plastic gutter guard here. I have checked a few times.

[Justin081]

i got the aluminum gutter guard from home depot and did it myself. i like the way it looks...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/something_dumb/DSC00359.jpg

[AbHeLlRaZoR]

been to Canadian tire.. no luck.

Home depot sells plastic gutter guard here. I have checked a few times.
I've looked in every city in Alberta I've been to since I've gotten my Alero and all I find is the plastic crap so I'm going to check some automotive stores when I got to Edmonton this weekend.

[TheMeaningOfLife]

When you get the aluminum make sure you like clear coat it or someting because over time itll turn this dull chalky shittyness color and looks like arse

[Justin081]

uh oh .... i never did anything to mine. just cut it and put it on. looks like i will be taking it off soon to clear coat before it starts looking like crap.

[TheMeaningOfLife]

it takes about eh.... 5 to 6 months but i just painted mine white after that!

[Valley olds]

Just wondering, this is something I want to do to my car in a little while. One thing that makes me hesitant though, is the cooling. With all that air blockage in the bumper, does the car heat up any more than it normallly would?

[01OldsAleroGt]

its a mesh.. lol.. no difference

[Valley olds]

^Hey that is a lot of blockage. Sure its just mesh, but how can you compare there being nothing at all, to having mesh in the way of the air. In Ram Air Trans Ams, the platic pieces with holes on the hood provide around 25% blockage. Im sure something similar applies to the mesh grill. I just dont know if itd be enough to make a difference in cooling.

[01OldsAleroGt]

hmm good point.. but i still think its not that much blockage

best bet would be do the grills and take a laser thermometer and see if there is any temp difference... thats what i think

[Valley olds]

^Hmm, sounds good. Do you have any spare laser thermometers I can borrow? :p Nah, just kidding, I guess Ill try it with my next paycheck.

[travis-alero]

So all in all what is the best mesh to buy?

[Valley olds]

^Im assuming that the stailess stee cus it wont rust and is stronger than aluminum.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

^it's a matter of opinion and your budget. definitely get metal, not plastic. and definitely make sure it's either stainless, aluminum, and/or painted. don't want rust showing. check ebay for sure.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

^Im assuming that the stailess stee cus it wont rust and is stronger than aluminum.
how strong it is has nothing to do with anything. it's a piece of cosmetic material.

[darksobsession]

my kombat bodykit came with mesh in the center hole that was affixed by thin metal tabs with brads glued to the inside of the bumper. the mesh is secured by putting the brad through the mesh and bending it. went to home depot and bought mesh for the other holes, but can't find the tabs. i don't want to drill holes for zipties, so i might just make tabs out of sheetmetal or just glue the mesh to the inside of the bumper. dunno how i can hold the mesh to the bumper while the glue dries cause the area isn't flat, tho.

[darksobsession]

got some sheetmetal, gonna cut out T shapes to use as tabs for the mesh.

pics to come

[TheMeaningOfLife]

This thread will not die

[darksobsession]

everybody needs grills

|=|=|=|

[darksobsession]

tabs made out of sheetmetal, epoxied with tape to hold while drying

http://i37.tinypic.com/vgl6ip.jpg

[darksobsession]

then bend the mesh to make it look all nice like the grill on the right

[ryanthefizz]

looks nice, going to mesh my car soon, will keep this technique in mind.

[jrim]

definitely not a 5min project for the freezing ass cold at nighttime with garage lights providing sole visibility. lmao. i'll try again tmrw during the day

[smlzalero]

sir? smlz was a female, is no longer a member, and posted this 3 years ago!
was? what am i dead?

no longer a member?

gay

[TheMeaningOfLife]

Omg Zombiiie.... thread and poster

[ServO]

I'm a noob, and dude told me to abuse the search...found this zombie thread, and wanted to say that it should never die because it's a cheap and easy mod for your car that adds alot of pop to the overall look. I only worry about snow. Not necessarily snow banks, but when I'm driving during a blizzard, and the snow starts to congeal and pile up around the mesh...THEN we might run into some blockage/temp issues, but the added sexy might be worth the heat.

[jhubbz]

Bringing it back!

Im gonna do this today :)

[XanderWiFi]

I can't find the mesh anywhere in the local auto stores...

[Cashdollar2009]

I can't find the mesh anywhere in the local auto stores...

Just get some gutter guards at Lowes or Home Depot and call it a day. Cut to size then hit with some gloss of whatever color you want, then some clear. ;)

[robalero]

yea as the original post said he said he went to lowes or something like that nowheres near an auto store you gotta hit up your local hardware stores

[jhubbz]

Yep, I got two pieces of gutter guard from Home Depot @ $1.94 each. Wayy better than $50 or w/e for the real stuff.

[Ttop191]

benefits of working at a hardware store, i can get a 3'X9' sheet for $7 haha :D


although..i don't have an alero to put in on :(

[XanderWiFi]

hit it with gloss?

[Ttop191]

he meant if you want to paint it, spray with gloss of w/e color you want, then clear coat it

[robalero]

I think might do it but body match it to the same color of the car

[XanderWiFi]

white mesh? Blecht...wonder how I could get some chrome...

[cavaliers60]

I'm thinking of doing white mesh on my car. I'm thinking of doing a white/blue type theme for the car, so it will look pretty good.

[XanderWiFi]

I'm trying to do this right now and it is infuriating...the mesh doesn't stay flush with opening and the liquid nails doesn't set fast enough to hold it in place. Driving me crazy...maybe it is just the perception of the angle i see on others or something

[robalero]

try zip ties, but I gotta say must be nice to be able to be outside and do that stuff this time of year!

[XanderWiFi]

like drill through my bumper and feed zipties through? Won't that be seen pretty easily unless you have a specific location in mind?

Hell Paso, TX. It drops below freezing at night but gets to the 40-60 range throughout the day so I can do it in my garage though it gets a little cramped.

[XanderWiFi]

Kind of bad lighting but anything terribly out of wack so far? I let the liquid nails set overnight with some foam pads pushing the grill against the bumper and in place and it seems to hold very firmly.

[XanderWiFi]

maybe it will work this time...

[XanderWiFi]

why aren't these posting dammit...

[03Sleepr]

Looks good...I may do mine with black mesh..where did you get the mesh at?

[robalero]

that looks way more then fine it looks natural to me there in the pic

[XanderWiFi]

I bought my mesh from andysautosport.com. Expensive for what little they give you but I haven't been able to find it at any local stores so I just went ahead and got it. I did the other side and have it setting right now-the trick is bracing foam pads to push it to the front. Just have the center and reinforcement and hope they all hold together.

You can see the defects if you look closely and know what to look for but front on it isn't too shabby. Just had to tell the perfectionist in me to let it go.

[sleepyalero]

i need to do the center on my bumper. i only got the fog light holes done.

[XanderWiFi]

I finally took a look and some pictures of my work. The side ones turned out okay, but it looks messy as hell underneath it all. The center looks like crap...I ran out of material, the metal is too malleable to manipulate much without breaking, but not enough to get everything to conform properly. You would only see the defects on the sides if you got up close. But if you are able to see the center you can see that it did not set evenly in my opinion. Thinking about tearing that out and redoing it or just not doing the center.

On the center there is not a flat flush opening to comform to. At the bottom there are two wings that jut out about an inch and they jacked it all up for me. The shadowing on the mesh is just dirt-need to wipe it off.

[AleroDrime]

are yall laying underneath the car doing this or pulling the bumber off?

[XanderWiFi]

i was laying underneath.

[alero_bmxer]

much easier to pull the bumper off if you can. it takes a little longer but it is much easier and and you can conform the mesh to the bumper better that way imo.

[XanderWiFi]

I imagine it would be much easier. But since this is my daily driver I could not afford the time. How terrible does it look?

[AleroDrime]

i know the rear comes off easy but i thought someone said the front was a bit of a headache to take off but luckily my younger brother is working to the hardware store so ill have to get him to pick up some stuff

[whiterider00]

Theres all the little trees in the wheelwells, the little push in things up top btwn the lights, then a bunch of bolts underneath holding the plastic guards on. Get all of those out then take out the headlights to get to 3 bolts holding the bumper to the fender. If youre lucky, they wont b all rusted to shit where you have to cut them to get it loose. Fairly simple process, might take half an hr if its not too rusted. Mine took a lot longer and i ended up just ripping the bolts on the underside right out of the plastic, they were so rusted i cudnt do it any other way.

[XanderWiFi]

Does the job look that bad that everyone is changing the subject from the original request? Lol.

[Fuzzyspudkiss]

I put the grille mesh on my car because it was a cheap and easy mod ($7 + a couple cuts on my hands). It looked good and I got quite a few complements on it. I did it last summer, well after about 4-5 months I noticed that the drivers side mesh started to rust? Has anyone else had this problem...

I noticed that there is some sort of condenser/radiator piece behind the fogs where it is rusting. Could this be the cause of it or am I not using good enough gutter guard? The other one is perfectly fine...

I have the 3.4 L engine if that helps get the orientation of stuff.

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/FuzzySpudkiss/Alero/HPIM4436-1.jpg

This is an old picture but the rust was already starting its much more noticeable now...and yes it was falling down but it isn't normally like that lol