Styling Mesh Grilles

[Stilomeister]

Thinking of replacing grilles with mesh. Anyone got any good photos after having this done to theirs?

 

[ChrisMClark]

indeed I do:

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I used sticks like sh*t and a few white cable ties. All I need to do still is tidy up around the outside of the lower centre one (slots cut from original plastic grille)

 

[twincamms]

In a non-horrible way, nuh-nuh, they look horrible, original grilles look better, sorry, they look put of place, specially without the upper grille being done.

 

[reinventingyourexit]

I would love a honeycomb grill for the stilo.. Only if it was made to replace the original parts though none of this mesh stuff. Otherwise the grill stays.

Anyone know of any companies doing these?

 

[ChrisMClark]

I couldn't find any, that's why I took the approach I did.

 

[twincamms]

Yeah, but it looks incomplete with the upper grille not being done, don't take it personally Chris, it's only constructive critisism, we should all be open to other members views.

 

[ChrisMClark]

While I disagree that the lower grilles look out of place and not as good as the original, I do agree that it looks pretty dumb with the top grill still being black. Once I've done all the MOT prep on it I'll be looking at cracking on with the modding again, but until I've at least changed the shocks, all modding is on hold.

 

[PNL]

I will be looking at the possibility of having a completely new grill made for my stilo as in the new Audi's ..its going to mean that the bumper is going to be cut about and modified but thats par for the course

 

[Stilomeister]

I am looking at using black or silver honeycomb for all 4 grilles. I think it would look better if the surround could be retained somehow. It looks a bit odd without then replace the middle section.

 

[reinventingyourexit]

Does the schui bumper have different plastic bits(plastic fins or plastic honeycomb style)?


Edit: Having checked, they do. I know the bumper bits are different on it but the side grill bits might be one piece not split up.

 

[Stilomeister]

Does the schui bumper have different plastic bits(plastic fins or plastic honeycomb style)?


Edit: Having checked, they do. I know the bumper bits are different on it but the side grill bits might be one piece not split up.

That might work but I may try removing the horizontal slats and inserting honeycomb inside the frame. It may even be possible to use mesh even if retaining the slats. Just needs to be cut well

 

[Shminkypinky]

Have to agree with Twincamms - does look a bit incomplete - but each to their own.

I like the idea of the mesh but can't help thinking it would suit the car more if it were black or even black chrome.
Could the original grills be cut to form a bezel/frame to fit the mesh inside so it looked complete and not so much of an add on?

 

[ChrisMClark]

had a quick look and I think it is doable, but would be rather tricky. I decided not to butcher the original grilles because if I ever do come to sell the Stilo I can restore the car back to standard without forking out silly ammounts of money for lumps of plastic.

 

[reinventingyourexit]

Have to agree with Twincamms - does look a bit incomplete - but each to their own.

I like the idea of the mesh but can't help thinking it would suit the car more if it were black or even black chrome.
Could the original grills be cut to form a bezel/frame to fit the mesh inside so it looked complete and not so much of an add on?

Thats sounds like whats needed to get it looking right anyways but looks like a big job

 

[1.8Stilo]

here you go, ive replaced all four grilles on mine. The top grille is the lester grille with black fine honeycomb mesh! The others, well i butchered the centre grilles and used it as a frame and fibre glassed the gaps and smoothed it all out and fitted the mesh behind in to give the bumper more depth. Then with the sides i placed the mesh behind the bumper, but to warm you were the orignal grilles were the bumper wasn't sprayedproperly, so i had the inner parts resprayed to make it look like it was original.

ill try and get some more up close images!

 

[reinventingyourexit]

here you go, ive replaced all four grilles on mine. The top grille is the lester grille with black fine honeycomb mesh! The others, well i butchered the centre grilles and used it as a frame and fibre glassed the gaps and smoothed it all out and fitted the mesh behind in to give the bumper more depth. Then with the sides i placed the mesh behind the bumper, but to warm you were the orignal grilles were the bumper wasn't sprayedproperly, so i had the inner parts resprayed to make it look like it was original.

ill try and get some more up close images!

Does the lester grill come with the honeycomb mesh?

 

[Stilomeister]

ill try and get some more up close images![/QUOTE]

I like what you've done there. Like to see the close ups

 

[1.8Stilo]

no the mesh didnt come with the grille, didnt like the mesh they sent out! Had to buy 3 sheets of mesh which was £40 odd quid! I originally wanted the mesh they use on the MG ZR's! But that was silly money - like £20 something quid per sheet!

Just looked though me photos havent really got any of me grille! They not easy to see in most pictures being black! Im going to give her a real good clean tomorrow morning! Well thats the plan, as she hasnt had a propa good un (3-4hours jobbie!) since before xmas!

If you look for a thread started by firewarrior in the styling section about his grille all the details about the grilles are in there. Quite a few of us had em at the time! But most of those members have left now....

 

[1.8Stilo]

im sure phil wont mind me borrowing this one of the same grille for the 5door, but with silver mesh!

 

[twincamms]

I'd actually like a new centre grille, as standard but without the middle bit for the FIAT badge, anyone know where I can get one?

Cheers.