Detailing & Appearance Discuss washing, waxing and detailing information as well as interior/exterior cosmetic modifications. This includes neons, body, cosmetic wheels, etc. Even under the hood detailing.

Replaced Front Grille

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Old Sep 6, 2006 | 04:23 PM
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Default Replaced Front Grille

Well, mine had a broken mount and was slowly getting a wider gap on the passenger'* side. After considering a number of repair options, I opted to spend the big bucks and replace it with a new OEM one. Too many pics follow...

Maybe not looking too bad to some people, but it made me nuts.
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I had reglued the logo before, but it had seen better days
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View of broken mount from inside hood
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Ahhh....new grille....I love new parts!!!
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The speed nut was broken in three pieces, I had never seen that before. Of course, that meant I had to buy one of those PITA kits with only one of everything in it. Painted the new one white to match...
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The old and the new
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And the beatiful new grill on the car.
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Total actual labor time, about ten minutes including painting the speed nut and farting around. Now I just need to wash the rest of the car, lol.
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 04:29 PM
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Looks good.
I bet that OEM grill was $$$
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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Yeah I love being able to work on the car in the garage. Some things are just much easier.

I need to get some touch up paint before I do a claybar and polish. A careful application on the chips and it would help the overall look a bunch.

BTW, know anyone who has an interest in a free used, slightly broken grill?
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 07:54 PM
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ohman, what a differnce

i know what ya mean by the some people might not notice but it bothers the crap out of you

like my crooked BC decal
Old Sep 7, 2006 | 12:04 PM
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Ooooooooohhhhhhhh..................Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh hhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Shiney.....shiney


That looks amazing. I am sure it cost a bit o' green, but you definitely would have a hard time finding one that nice in the junkyards. Nothin' like a PERFECT new grille. Great job
Old Sep 7, 2006 | 02:24 PM
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A while ago I learned that the nice little details can make all the difference in how you feel about an aging car.

A sagging headliner and ratty visors can make you want to replace a car, but replace the headliner and visors with new/recovered and it makes a huge difference!

This all assumes that your car is in good enough mechanical condition to make it worth while.
Old Sep 7, 2006 | 04:10 PM
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Any reason you didn't go with the SSE/i grille? Still looks very nice. The little things make cars your own.
Old Sep 7, 2006 | 04:16 PM
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Yes. My car is an SE...
Old Sep 7, 2006 | 06:57 PM
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that would have bugged the crap out of me to Mike

seeing your car, which is hardly ever make me wonder where my old 97 is?
say? do you have beige cloth interior?



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