Aftermarket Grills

[Missay]

u know..i betcha a hot glue gun would work..it would be strong enough to hold it on, but weak enough that you could take it apart after and peel the glue off.....???

[nkx1]

Jeff - Do u have a '99+ or an '02+? If u have a '99+, I made a template, so I'm sure we can work something out. If u have an '02+ though, you're kinda on your own because the grill is so much different.

dbanker - I bought the zip ties, believe it or not, at the $.99 store. Wherever you get them, just make sure they're the small ones. The larger zip ties will obviously by more noticable. The black zip ties work best because if they were any other color, they would be more noticable against the black factory grill. I did see some chrome zip ties at an online import store (forgot the address), but as I mentioned, even chrome would be noticable against the black.

[Guest]

Great- I think I'll go out and grab some gutter guard and zip ties and start to work on it (after I get my car back from getting the hail damage fixed that is!). Maybe I'll try just painting the portion of the zip tie that covers the grill and leave the rest black. Might be worth a shot since those zip ties can be replaced so easily and are cheap. Although it may be hard to do that and have it blend well. I'll see what I can do. Seems like it'll look fine either way...

Thanks for all the imput optimus and nkx1. I appreciate it

[JMSinMaryland]

The whole gutter mesh thing is a bit ricey. The Solara grill is classy by itself and the whole mesh thing doesn't make it any more sporty. Only takes away from the looks and makes you look like those Civic owners. Just my opinion. Jon.

[NASTY]

i dont think its really ricey, but i agree it doesnt look that great on the upper grill
but i love the way it looks on the bottom

[pizan]

I haven't had the opportunity to see it in person but I think it looks good, not "ricey" whatsoever. Though on that basis, if someone professionaly made the grills aforementioned with the same materials without you knowing it and charged $200 you may think different.

Regardless, what really matters is what the owner likes, eh? I think it makes it look MUCH better......imo

[Jackass-Jeff]

damn my 02 *_*

Thanks though Neil

[dbanker]

Have a quick question I thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread...

The grill I have on my Solara right now has many noticable chips in which the chrome/silver detail is gone, and several very large ones as well. Could I just take all the silver detail off with sand paper and maybe spray paint or just paint new silver on? Or would it be a better idea just to have it re-done by a detail shop? Or just even buy a new one? thanks-

[Optimus]

Have a quick question I thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread...

The grill I have on my Solara right now has many noticable chips in which the chrome/silver detail is gone, and several very large ones as well. Could I just take all the silver detail off with sand paper and maybe spray paint or just paint new silver on? Or would it be a better idea just to have it re-done by a detail shop? Or just even buy a new one? thanks-

You're better of finding a used one at a junk yard or on ebay (there's one every few weeks), here's one for sale now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 38217&rd=1

[krook]

Have a quick question I thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread...

The grill I have on my Solara right now has many noticable chips in which the chrome/silver detail is gone, and several very large ones as well. Could I just take all the silver detail off with sand paper and maybe spray paint or just paint new silver on? Or would it be a better idea just to have it re-done by a detail shop? Or just even buy a new one? thanks-

people have sanded it down and spray-painted it black for that "dark" effect. you could do that too.

[TITO]

Funny you ask about that. Just yesterday I finished my grill redo. I sanded off the chrome paint completely, primered it, and painted it to match my color. It's in my garage drying (you have to take the grill off to do a good job). I'm going to wait a few days for it to dry real good, being that they take a beating on the front of your car. When I put it back on, I'll take some pics and post them. Right now, it look real good.

[dbanker]

Yeah I saw that grill on ebay but the owner says it has some chips on it. I'd rather go with a new grill or a complege refinish. I also like the chrome detailing on the OEM grill so that's the look I'm going for.

TITO- I'd love to see those pics once you're done. Based on what you said that's exactly what I'm wanting to do. Just curious though...how did paint the chrome on there without worrying about it getting on the actual grill? Was it spray paint or a hand painting job?

[TITO]

Actually, I didn't go with chrome paint. My car is the pearl white and I painted the grill white also. I carefully taped off the center grill part and spray painted the frame part of the grill.

[dbanker]

Well I think I might just give it a shot! It sounds pretty simple, as long as you're careful with the taping. Which probably would take a little while. You know...if I decide to do this while I'm at it I might also just paint the grill portion black to refinish it. Have you thought about doing that?

I'm glad to hear you've had sucess doing this, now I'm not so hesitant to try it myself.

[TITO]

Actually, my grill is all customized. I cut out the grill part and insert grill mesh ( the real stuff, not gutter mesh). If you want to see a pic of it b4 I painted the frame white (my recent mod) go to:
http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/v ... oyota&mode