DIY: Gutter Guard Mesh Grill

[ryan13]

I got bored this afternoon while it was snowing out so I decided to make something out of the grill off my 04 STI that I accidentally ran over a few weeks ago. It was already ruined so I figured I might as well try something to make it look better than the white striping paint job I had on it.

Here's the write up.

What I bought from Lowes:
(1) Snap in Gutter Guard - $1.98
(1) 7' All purpose Snips - $8.98
(1) .85 oz. Plastic Epoxy - $4.98
(1) Valspar Plastic Spray Paint - $4.97

Borrowed a friend's Dremel for cutting the factory grill

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060797.jpg

I then outlined the factory grill on the Snap in Gutter Guard
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060798.jpg

Then I cut out the outline leaving approx. 1/4" from outline to give myself a little room to screw up.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060799.jpg

Then took the Dremel to the factory grill to remove the pillar. (notice the cracks in the grill to the left...looked like hell)
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060800.jpg

I then put a layer of epoxy on the front rim of the grill and put the cut piece of Gutter Guard centered on it. I then found a few paper waits left over from the weekend to keep presure on the epoxy. I let it sit for about 30 mins.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060801.jpg

After it was dry enough to handle I took the Dremel and cleaned off the extra grill guard. Then I took some fine grained sand paper to clean up the edges a bit more.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060804.jpg

I then took the plastic spray paint and put 3 coats on it. This paint did not require any primer.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060806.jpg

Let it dry by my heater for an hour or so...


Went out to throw it on the car to see how it looked.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060809.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/DIY%20Grill/P1060808.jpg

This minihttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2a.gif (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1673084#) project took roughly two hours and I did it right in my apartment with very minimal tools. I did not make this to win any awards, I just did it to make the broken grill look a little better until I can buy one that I like.


This is my first DIY write up so be kind.
If I missed anything or you have any questions/comments feel free to post up.

Thanks for looking!!!

[Robk0000]

if you could get the mesh without those bars every few inches this would look really good. Great idea!

[Bu11dogg2]

Not bad!!


I prefer the homedepot gutter guard :)

[mdungelman]

Looks like a good first DIY project! Good job!

[ryan13]

thanks guys!

[RCKSTR]

looks different, I like it:) got any other DIY projects up your sleeve?

[ryan13]

looks different, I like it:) got any other DIY projects up your sleeve?

when it gets nicer out I am going to try to make a lower grill insert too. maybe change up the top one too if i get bored.

I'm also looking at making my own mudflaps and repainting the silver components on the dash inside to black to match everything.

[kgj996]

DIY mud flaps would be cool.

[ryan13]

I just painted all my silver dash pieces black yesterday too... I think I am going to slowly start changing them all to black.. I should post pics when I'm not lazy haha

[Rooster]

Just picked up some gutter guard yesterday...

[wagonmafia]

i did something similar back in the day. i used stucco mesh.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/67GTOchick/DSCN20250008.jpg

badge placemant was a bit off.lol

[ryan13]

i did something similar back in the day. i used stucco mesh.


where did you get the mesh? I need something that is wider than the gutter guard to do the lower grill...

[wagonmafia]

home depot. it comes in huge rolls. i still have sum. you more than welcome to grab it.

[ryan13]

how wide is it?

[ryan13]

the grill looks better now that I cleared the lights... :D:D

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/Blackout%20Lights/P1070226.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/Blackout%20Lights/P1070220.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/Blackout%20Lights/P1070218.jpg

[ryan13]

Got bored and made this tonight...I got the DIY bug for sure!!!

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/aspensubaru/Lowergrill.jpg

I will be redoing the upper one to match this one. :D

[RCKSTR]

home depot. it comes in huge rolls. i still have sum. you more than welcome to grab it.

I'll have to check out home depot so I can do my lower bumper section then, thanks for the heads up :up:

[R-raid]

You can also use metal aluminum sheets like I did for my DIY grill. Check it out in my album.

Sorry for the thread jack, just thought it would add another look on the DIY grill community.

[HipsterDoofus]

Question, im about to attempt the same thing, but my cars a bit older. i see some strange snap things holding my stock grill in place. I need to get it off, but im worried i might snap these things if i mess up. does anyone know how these work? should i provide pics?

[Dusty B]

Question, im about to attempt the same thing, but my cars a bit older. i see some strange snap things holding my stock grill in place. I need to get it off, but im worried i might snap these things if i mess up. does anyone know how these work? should i provide pics?


Jake, if you look down at the top of those clips, there is a little tang to press down on (sometimes easier to reach with a small flathead screwdriver or medium punch with non-round tip). While depressing, hold a little pressure away from the radiator support in the area you're trying to release. Take you time and work your way down the grille. If you break some of them, I'm pretty sure I have a few spares in my tool box. Gl meng.

[Bu11dogg2]

I used to be a vendor on LegacyGT.com and made grills :)

stock:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/wagon/DSC01582.jpg



http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/wagon/householditems016.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/Bu11dogg2/wagon/householditems017.jpg

[HipsterDoofus]

Jake, if you look down at the top of those clips, there is a little tang to press down on (sometimes easier to reach with a small flathead screwdriver or medium punch with non-round tip). While depressing, hold a little pressure away from the radiator support in the area you're trying to release. Take you time and work your way down the grille. If you break some of them, I'm pretty sure I have a few spares in my tool box. Gl meng.

Are they in the same place as your speakers? lolololol

perhaps this weekend I shall give it a whirl

[Dusty B]

Are they in the same place as your speakers? lolololol

perhaps this weekend I shall give it a whirl

As a matter of fact, they might be! :lol:

[HipsterDoofus]

As a matter of fact, they might be! :lol:

im pretty sure the expanded metal i have is way too heavy of a gauge

broke rn to buy anything else

[Crushem]

Going to try the gutter Guard tonight or by Sat.

Thanks for the DIY :)