Mesh Grilles

[323F~SW]

Hey Guys,

I know a few of you have done your own (Home Depot etc.) and they look pretty good.
If I do one, I just don't want any of the mounting hardware to be visible. Has anyone done an installation that can claim this, or has anyone bought a proper kit for a Pro5 or MP3? If so, what do you think of it, where did you get it, and how much did it cost?
Thanks

[p5crazy]

I understand what you mean man...I feel the same way!

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you, but good luck!

[Eds mp5]

I have completed this extremely tedious task.. First off, remove your existing grill this loosens the pain in your arm back. etc, and makes for a much more rewarding experience. This is really a big pain in the ass as (i broke mine) Be careful when removing it. Next, i cut the mest to size. this was easy as i had the template there. The easiest way is to just use some form of rust resistant wire and just hook the wire through the Home Depot grill and the original grill and twist ends togeter. Cut of excess with wire cutters. Continue until grill is nice and flush to original grill. Reconnect and Voila. Shouldn't take that long. the hardest part was trying to get the orignal grills off.

[323F~SW]

Thanks Eds.
Did you have to take the bumper off, or could you just leave everything else in place?
Would I be less likely to break the grille, or would it be easier to get it off if I took the bumper off?
I know it's more work, I just want everything to go smoothly and look great

[cruisinblackp5]

I know the best top grills I have seen have removed the orginal mesh. I think these people used a dremmel to carve the original grill, smoth it and then attach the new mesh behind. BTW don't use cheap mesh that will rust, you will regret it in a week or two.

[Eds mp5]

I didn't remove the bumper because at the time it looked like a big hassel... Tax said that it is only heald on by about 5 or 10 screws so maybe it would be easier. Basically you just have to be able to get to the front and back of the original grill. Mark has a good point with the dremmel tool. i should have done it that way too. When i put my new grill on i think i am going to make something for the bottome too.

[323F~SW]

So just to recap...

My best bet is to:
-remove the stock grille
-use it as a template on the new aluminum or stainless steel (no rust) grill
-use a dremel tool to cut and smooth the new grille
-attack the new grille to the stock one with stainless steel wire and re-install

I just didn't get the part about exactly what I'm doing with the Dremel tool

Thanks for clarifying

[cruisinblackp5]

What I actually meant was to cut all the OLD mesh out of the grill and put in the new mesh. You can mount it behind and will save the scratches to your paint associated with the NEW mesh and your car.

[323F~SW]

Thanks!

That's a great idea.
Has anyone done it that way that has pics?
It seems like if I do it that way, the mesh will be set pretty far back.
I just wanna be sure before I go cutting up my stock grille, just in case I don't like the new one, and then I've got nothing.

[cruisinblackp5]

Not quite sure how this guy mounted his but it looks real good.
http://montrealracing.com/clubs/club%20protege/mp3.jpg

[ChopstickHero]

sorry... a little off topic but damn.. i like that lip.
where can i get one?!

oh yeah... how hard would it to take off the grill and paint it to match factory colours (silver in my case)?

[p5crazy]

hmmm...as far as the lip goes, Sondra may be your best bet to get in touch with the guy, but I am sure Tax could probably set you up in that respect too!

Other then that, with regards to painting your stock grill to match factory colours, dunno how well that would work...I can see the plastic not taking the paint to well without a lotta prep work...hard to say though?

I still wanna do mine in billet alum., I think it would look SWEET!

[cruisinblackp5]

That lip is just a piece of plastis or fiberglass that was traced to shape and cut, then monted to where the MP3 lip usually goes. Some of us saw the car at Autotech. Looked sweet. Wait till you see his header.(Another custom job)

[323F~SW]

Getting back to the grille...

I bought some mesh today. My biggest problem, as anticipated, is that I can't get the stock grilles off.
For the top one, I've undone two screws and 4 anchor like fasteners, but I can't get it off. Is there something I'm missing? It feels like it's still attached to the front bumper, but I can't see where.
If I could just get the little "deck" piece off the top, I wouldn't even have to remove the grille, but I think they are one piece.
Any input would be GREATLY appreciated
Thanks

[cruisinblackp5]

Def ask Tax(Mark) or ED as they have both taken theres off a xouple of times I think.

[ChopstickHero]

I think they yanked it really hard and it came off.
I think Tax even broke his by accident.
But i've heard that on other sites too... that after making sure nothing is holding the grill down anymore, that you yank it really hard and it will pop out.

somebody verify that plz.

[cruisinblackp5]

I'm pretty sure that's how you do it but I think a lot of people have broken them. Just make sure you get all th e bolts and clips off first.

[323F~SW]

Thanks for all the info guys.
I finished the install yesterday, and I love it!

I went to my local dealers body shop, and they informed me that whenever they need to remove the grill, they take the whol bumper off. So, just to be safe, and not break anything, I took the bumper off. It took about an hour to get it off, and 45 minutes to get it back on, but I'm sure I made up that time in installation time for the mesh, and in overall appearance.
I'll post pics soon.
See ya at Brullen http://toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[323F~SW]

Does anyone know how to import a pic onto a post that's NOT from a website, that is, from my hard drive?
As soon as I can get that sorted out, I'll have pics of the job for you guys

[taxmasta]

send it to me... il post it

sorry dident notice this topic.... i could been a big help

aslo paint DID stick good to the grills i had them painted at macco in red
they CAN come off without the bumper being removed....


ASLO the way i cut my mesh was

1. cut a cardboard template to fit the contours of the stock grill
2. staple the mesh to the cardboard (make shure it overlaps)

3. run it threw the bandsaw then touch it up on the sander

alternative to 3 . use snips and cut all the pieces to the template size, and palm sand the sides so that there is no ruff edges

also some masking off of the area around where u are doing the install might help an annoying scratch from happening

[DSlayer]

I had to take my bumper off so you can't see the connectors it was tedius but it pays off in the end my grill looks mint

[clement]

I've done a few Stainless steel grills for my car, a Prot 00 and 2 MP5

Take a look on thie thread, it's in french but look at the last page of the thread.

Stainless steel Mesh Grill (http://pub70.ezboard.com/fmazdamp3mp5clubfrm1.showMessageRange?topicID=847.topic&start=101&stop=114)

http://toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

Clement
members moderator
sexpecialist  http://toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
www.clubprotegequebec.com

[kore32]

Hey, Clement...how did you do the grill? Where did you get the material? I attempted to cut and mount grills on my Pro5 last week...looked like shit. Any suggestions for making a template of the upper and lower grills and then for cutting, sanding and mounting? The pictures look like the aluminum mesh is wrapped around the stock grill...am I seeing that right? Let me know...ciao...

[znole]

I've done mine with double-sided tape and wire ties without removal of original parts.  It's been through winters and ice storms. For pictures, go to 'www.protegeclub.com' (exterior / interior forum), subject: 2000 protege kit.
http://www.chitchalerntham.com/nole/Protege-kit-front

[cruisinblackp5]

That looks really good.

[WeeBieP5]

Im with Mark on that one. That looks very nice! Classy

[znole]

Thanks. I was just thinking, this grill-mesh would also look great on a red, blue or yellow car. Of course, the mesh would be painted to match the car colour with black edge trim.

[ChopstickHero]

god... i want those corner spoilers so bad!