Poorman's complete $2 front-end cosmetic makeover
07-28-2001, 04:26 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 28
Poorman's $2 front-end cosmetic makeover
Click to see the Pic of PoormanĄ¯s $2 makeover project!
http://www.geekazoids.net/~images/dsc01168_copy.jpg
The 2 gutters cost me less than $2 from Homedepo & dat includes tax, too.
They're on sale for .88cents each. It was $1.88 each last week and I guess it was worth the wait! I know I know..I'm cheap.
I only needed 2 pieces and the total job took me 40mins to complete!
It's 3pieces design if you look more closer.
I've decided to cover the entire top grill and botton air-inlet and leave the center-inlet open for sportier look.
The center section is only partially covered from the leftover pieces and I think it matches pretty good.
Next week IĄ¯m going to tint the rear siganl lenses.
I canĄ¯t afford the $160~180 clear lenses and IĄ¯m going to tint the clear backup light & yellow signal with dark smoke tint and leave the red break lights to stay legal.
I will post pic as soon as I finish it.
I've already tested it and dang~ it looks SWEET~
http://www.geekazoids.net/~images/dsc01168_copy.jpg
The 2 gutters cost me less than $2 from Homedepo & dat includes tax, too.
They're on sale for .88cents each. It was $1.88 each last week and I guess it was worth the wait! I know I know..I'm cheap.
I only needed 2 pieces and the total job took me 40mins to complete!
It's 3pieces design if you look more closer.
I've decided to cover the entire top grill and botton air-inlet and leave the center-inlet open for sportier look.
The center section is only partially covered from the leftover pieces and I think it matches pretty good.
Next week IĄ¯m going to tint the rear siganl lenses.
I canĄ¯t afford the $160~180 clear lenses and IĄ¯m going to tint the clear backup light & yellow signal with dark smoke tint and leave the red break lights to stay legal.
I will post pic as soon as I finish it.
I've already tested it and dang~ it looks SWEET~
07-28-2001, 04:43 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 324
I went to home depo and was looking for a metal grill to put on my inlet... but i couldn't find any... your car looks nice... but i am confused on what the gutters are? are they like gutters like the one you put on your home?
07-28-2001, 06:12 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 28
Okie! Jung.
Those are same as your home gutter guards.
If you donĄ¯t like it you could put right into your gutter and make your father happy.
If you like black color like mine and donĄ¯t wanna spray black epoxy paint then you should pick Ą°brown aluminized gutter guards.Ąą
They said itĄ¯s brown but it looks more like black to me.
The scan# is 17857-00125 made by Gutter world for .88cents at your local Homedepo.
Hope it helps.
Those are same as your home gutter guards.
If you donĄ¯t like it you could put right into your gutter and make your father happy.
If you like black color like mine and donĄ¯t wanna spray black epoxy paint then you should pick Ą°brown aluminized gutter guards.Ąą
They said itĄ¯s brown but it looks more like black to me.
The scan# is 17857-00125 made by Gutter world for .88cents at your local Homedepo.
Hope it helps.
07-29-2001, 08:12 PM
#5
RE: Home Depot Mesh...
Its in the gutter section of Home Depot, called Rain Gutter Mesh. Its the only way to go without if you are a real man...no wussy buying off eBay sh*t right? Took me about 2 hours and I think I did a good job (I filled in everything even the top bumper insert around my license plate). Doesn't look like a professional job up close, but atleast you can yell at all the Honda boys to stop wasting their parent's money 
.
.
07-30-2001, 09:31 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
07-30-2001, 10:06 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 741
Originally posted by KCTYPHOON
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
07-30-2001, 11:17 PM
#8
Ok.. guys!
Here's the other pictures.
Now I got sliver ones, too!
Once you made the template the next one is piece of cake!
BTW, do you like mah new ID?
Somehow I couldn't log in so I made a new ID..
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/1.txt
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/3.txt
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/2.txt
I think silver one is little bit better in here.. don't u think?
Here's the other pictures.
Now I got sliver ones, too!
Once you made the template the next one is piece of cake!
BTW, do you like mah new ID?
Somehow I couldn't log in so I made a new ID..
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/1.txt
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/3.txt
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/2.txt
I think silver one is little bit better in here.. don't u think?
07-30-2001, 11:23 PM
#9
How to attach them?
Use the glue? He*l no mah man!
Just use zipties!
here's da pic for you mah man!
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/2.txt
Use the glue? He*l no mah man!
Just use zipties!
here's da pic for you mah man!
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/2.txt
07-30-2001, 11:26 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 741
Originally posted by sickmen
How to attach them?
Use the glue? He*l no mah man!
Just use zipties!
here's da pic for you mah man!
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/2.txt
How to attach them?
Use the glue? He*l no mah man!
Just use zipties!
here's da pic for you mah man!
http://www.geocities.com/kwelhand/2.txt
07-31-2001, 05:41 AM
#11
Those things are very secure with just some Zipties!
Here's the tip!
When you cut it make sure the new grill is slightly smaller(1/4) than the stock opening to avoid contact otherwise the sharp edges of your new grill will scratch up your bumper like your galfriends nails on your back! OUCH~
You dont have to take your grills out in other to cut it properly!
Just align it onto the grill and use the marker to draw a line then start to cut it!
Very easy to do it yet custom looking & durable!
Try it one for yourself today you wont regret your $2!
Just trying to help my fellow Maximan!
Here's the tip!
When you cut it make sure the new grill is slightly smaller(1/4) than the stock opening to avoid contact otherwise the sharp edges of your new grill will scratch up your bumper like your galfriends nails on your back! OUCH~
You dont have to take your grills out in other to cut it properly!
Just align it onto the grill and use the marker to draw a line then start to cut it!
Very easy to do it yet custom looking & durable!
Try it one for yourself today you wont regret your $2!
Just trying to help my fellow Maximan!
07-31-2001, 06:23 AM
#13
Originally posted by Lime
hey I have been working on this myself. I painted my mesh with rustoleum and then a clear laquer finish. I am just not sure how to deal with the top grille. I can't figure out how to take the damn thing off.
hey I have been working on this myself. I painted my mesh with rustoleum and then a clear laquer finish. I am just not sure how to deal with the top grille. I can't figure out how to take the damn thing off.
Originally posted by Daniel B. Martin
Raise the hood. Locate two plastic fasteners in the upper corners of the grille. They look like black square slotted screw heads. Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver into the slot and turn CCW 1/8 turn to release the clip. Gently tug the grille upward and outward. Elapsed time, 30 seconds.
Installation is almost as easy. The two plastic fasteners stayed in the car. Use a small pair of pliers to squeeze the legs together, and remove them. Insert the square heads into the hole in the grille, working from the back of the grille. Turn 1/8 turn to click into place. Place the grille into the vehicle body, taking care to line up the locating pins near the lower edge of the grille. Gently push those two plastic fasteners into their respective mounting holes. Snap! The job is done. Elapsed time, 60 seconds.
Raise the hood. Locate two plastic fasteners in the upper corners of the grille. They look like black square slotted screw heads. Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver into the slot and turn CCW 1/8 turn to release the clip. Gently tug the grille upward and outward. Elapsed time, 30 seconds.
Installation is almost as easy. The two plastic fasteners stayed in the car. Use a small pair of pliers to squeeze the legs together, and remove them. Insert the square heads into the hole in the grille, working from the back of the grille. Turn 1/8 turn to click into place. Place the grille into the vehicle body, taking care to line up the locating pins near the lower edge of the grille. Gently push those two plastic fasteners into their respective mounting holes. Snap! The job is done. Elapsed time, 60 seconds.
07-31-2001, 06:37 AM
#14
so the top part....
did you remove the factory grill, or is this one just laid on overtop of it (I am talking about where the nissan emblem is..)
Looks good, I did my mid hole w/ black gutter guard stuff but it is crappy, since it wasn't metal it wont stay in shape.. so Im gonna pull it off-
Looks good, I did my mid hole w/ black gutter guard stuff but it is crappy, since it wasn't metal it wont stay in shape.. so Im gonna pull it off-
07-31-2001, 07:39 AM
#15
You don't have to take the grill out and if you did then what? Just put the gutter onto the grill and draw the line then cut it accordingly.
However, you need to take the Nissan badge out if you want to put it front of your new grill.
Make sure heat it about a min before you take it out coz those thing is fragile.
Use 3M double sided tape to mount them again.
Hope it helps!
However, you need to take the Nissan badge out if you want to put it front of your new grill.
Make sure heat it about a min before you take it out coz those thing is fragile.
Use 3M double sided tape to mount them again.
Hope it helps!
07-31-2001, 09:31 PM
#17
Jung! The possibility is endless! Just use your imaginations!
However, thick metal one is pretty tough to cut & shape.
I've seen the thick metal gutters at Homedept but oh boy! those things are pretty thick man!
I dunno how you gonna cut it though...
Just trying to help!
However, thick metal one is pretty tough to cut & shape.
I've seen the thick metal gutters at Homedept but oh boy! those things are pretty thick man!
I dunno how you gonna cut it though...
Just trying to help!
08-16-2001, 02:34 PM
#19
i just went to home depot and i guess i couldn't find the right one so i got KWIKMESH utility screen rool 1/8 galvanized expanded metal roll...i think this should do this job and says it won't rust but the holes are like tiny
08-16-2001, 03:12 PM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Jung918
all this seems a little ghetto... why not just buy a metal grill and cut it out and insert it?
all this seems a little ghetto... why not just buy a metal grill and cut it out and insert it?
08-17-2001, 09:41 PM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
me 2
Originally posted by Lime
hey I have been working on this myself. I painted my mesh with rustoleum and then a clear laquer finish. I am just not sure how to deal with the top grille. I can't figure out how to take the damn thing off.
hey I have been working on this myself. I painted my mesh with rustoleum and then a clear laquer finish. I am just not sure how to deal with the top grille. I can't figure out how to take the damn thing off.
08-18-2001, 07:34 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,760
well my problem is i have a custom made 97 bumper, and i ma not have places to attach it to, first it was just a gxe/gle bumper but i had the middle bars in the outer holes cut out, so its more like an SE without the fogs, also i had the piece that the liscense plate is attached to removed so it would look better, so my real question is wha am i going to connect the mesh to
08-18-2001, 07:46 AM
#30
Originally posted by KCTYPHOON
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
08-18-2001, 10:21 AM
#31
Originally posted by KCTYPHOON
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
just some info for you guys, if you decide to paint the metal black, dont use regualar black spray paint. what you want to use is black applaince epoxy from home depot. regular paint WILL chip. the epoxy dries much harder and wont chip off, its just like spray paint and in the same cabinet.. take a look at the finished product..
08-18-2001, 10:47 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,760
ok well i went to home depot but found nothing for $.88 or plastic gutter gaurd, i did find a $2 roll of metal 6inchX20ft gutter gaurd stuff, im thinkingi will go t another home depot and if i still dont find the stuff i will get the other one
08-18-2001, 11:51 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,869
all this is giving me MASS confusion..
Are there any websites with pictures explaining this?
Here are lot's of newbie questions for you: please answer ^^:
1. Can I use white paint instead of just black? or does white paints chip off more then black ones?
2. For the front grill, do you just take the stock ones off then do it? how are you going to install the nissan emblem after that?
3. How do you do bottem ones if there aren't any holes to stick the zip thing in?
4. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH confusion.. I'm just going to buy those stuff first and wait for an answer ^^
Thanks~
Are there any websites with pictures explaining this?
Here are lot's of newbie questions for you: please answer ^^:
1. Can I use white paint instead of just black? or does white paints chip off more then black ones?
2. For the front grill, do you just take the stock ones off then do it? how are you going to install the nissan emblem after that?
3. How do you do bottem ones if there aren't any holes to stick the zip thing in?
4. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH confusion.. I'm just going to buy those stuff first and wait for an answer ^^
Thanks~
08-18-2001, 04:44 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,760
ok well i went to the other home depot and found some other stuff that cost like $1.28, so i got two of them, they were like 6 inches by 3 ft, and they also had clips on them which made it a breeze to attach it to the bumper, in order not to scratch it i took off the 6 screws under the bumper and pulled back the black plastic and slid it up under there, then clipped it on, and it stayed fine, took maybe 30 minutes and looks great, i only did the bottom 3 holes, not the one between the grille and the bottom holes, i will take some pics tomorrow and post em up, btw its a 97-99 front, l8r
08-21-2001, 09:38 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,869
Ok I finally bought the metal gutter thing.
And spray painted with the heat protectant, and then clear coated it.
Now... How to get UNDER then bumper and where to ZIPTIE them?
and also for the TOP front grill, Please explain detaily how to take the thing off.. and then Where to use ziptie for the top one.. shouldn't it be ziptied on the bottom too?
Please help. Thanks.
those grills look AWSOME!
And spray painted with the heat protectant, and then clear coated it.
Now... How to get UNDER then bumper and where to ZIPTIE them?
and also for the TOP front grill, Please explain detaily how to take the thing off.. and then Where to use ziptie for the top one.. shouldn't it be ziptied on the bottom too?
Please help. Thanks.
those grills look AWSOME!