Custom Grills

[nsprotege]

Hi, I've decided I want to make a custom grill for my 2003 Protege ES. I've read lots of posts on this topic, and know how to remove the stock grills, and all that jazz. Have most of you who have done this just put the mesh grill over the stock grill, or have you removed the stock grill and made a completely new frame, etc. My idea is to buy the grills out of a smashed protege (if possible), and cut the stock grill out of the frame, and replacing it with the new mesh so it will just clip back in (hopefully that explaination makes sense). Will this work, or does it work just as well to install it over the stock grill?

 

[starflare21]

i've wanted to do something like the idea you stated for awhile just haven't had the time to do it. it sounds like a fairly simple mod. i'll post up some pics when i get the chance to finish it.

 

[MBFamilia]

Hi, I've decided I want to make a custom grill for my 2003 Protege ES. I've read lots of posts on this topic, and know how to remove the stock grills, and all that jazz. Have most of you who have done this just put the mesh grill over the stock grill, or have you removed the stock grill and made a completely new frame, etc. My idea is to buy the grills out of a smashed protege (if possible), and cut the stock grill out of the frame, and replacing it with the new mesh so it will just clip back in (hopefully that explaination makes sense). Will this work, or does it work just as well to install it over the stock grill?

What i did was, I took out the stock grill and got the mesh that I wanted to use and I made an outline of the stock grill. Basically, I made the stock grill from the mesh. It's a lot of work though because you have to bent it to get the shape of the bumper and everything surrounding it.
I also tried placing the mesh over the stock grill and it didn't look nice.

 

[Bremmer]

I wish a company would make the stock grill with the stock plastic look but eliminate the mazda emblem. Just have the black diamond plastic grill. Keep the stock look but make it look better. THat emblem is too big.

 

[Pretzellogic]

I wish a company would make the stock grill with the stock plastic look but eliminate the mazda emblem. Just have the black diamond plastic grill. Keep the stock look but make it look better. THat emblem is too big.

Paint the emblem black. It adds a bunch to the front end

 

[Bremmer]

I personally wouldn't like that, I would either keep it the way it is or get rid of it completely.

 

[nsprotege]

the grill look I'm going for is this;

http://www.onlineshowoff.com/index.asp?section=profile&username=jdmprotege

I think it looks really good, and makes the car stand out from the front

 

[nsprotege]

actually - I like everything about that car!!

 

[MBFamilia]

I think that's a custom grill.

 

[Vitamin J]

Custom Grill

I tried what you were inquiring about, the whole cutting out the stock diamond mesh and using the OEM grill as a frame. I painted it all with Dupli-color Chrome Metalcast afterwards, turned out pretty nice. By no means a pro job, but a simple mod that gives your front end a nice look.

 

[nsprotege]

thanks for the pic Vitamin J - that's exactly what I'm looking to do. glad to see someone that already did it and it turned out!

 

[Vitamin J]

thanks for the pic Vitamin J - that's exactly what I'm looking to do. glad to see someone that already did it and it turned out!

When I cut out the OEM Diamond grill I left Diamonds in all four corners so I would have something to attach the new mesh grill too. That way you can just use some wire to hold it in place.

If you're gonna paint the whole thing like I did make sure you do it after you've attached the new grill, it's pretty easy to scratch stuff up.

Hope all goes well with it, post some pics afterwards.

 

[nsprotege]

OK - I've got a new idea for a custom grill - and have read on here that some of you have used two sided tape to hold the grill in place - what brand/type of two sided tape is best based on your experiences? Thanks again for all the help guys

 

[MazdaSpeedSter]

Now for sale!
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/show...otege+Grill%27s
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[MSP#735]

yea i definately want to do something to 'spice' up the front end without having to either buy the auto exe grill and have it painted (to match the 03.5 blazing yellow - GOOD LUCK) or simply placing an overlay over the existing grill...kinda defeats the whole purpose if you can still see the HUGE emblem...

 

[steplat]

I have been thinking about trying to create a woven mesh grill like those on the cadillac Vs but instead of the stainless steel, using a black coated wire.
The mesh would then go on top of the existing grills.

I couldn't find what I needed at lowes anyone know where to get it or how to do it?

I was thinking you really only need pliers, some type of spacers, and solder.

 

[Vitamin J]

I have been thinking about trying to create a woven mesh grill like those on the cadillac Vs but instead of the stainless steel, using a black coated wire.
The mesh would then go on top of the existing grills.

I couldn't find what I needed at lowes anyone know where to get it or how to do it?

I was thinking you really only need pliers, some type of spacers, and solder.

Before you go through all that trouble, you might want to check out the mesh screen that they use in screen doors (unless you already have). You might be able to find something thick enough for your application. Should be at any hardware store.

 

[nsprotege]

So, I finally completed my custom bottom front grill project. It took a couple hours, but was fairly easy. I removed the stock bottom grill, and cut out all the black "mesh", preserving the outer frame. Then, using APC's universal mesh grill, I cut and bent the mesh to fit inside the frame. Then, I drilled a few small holes in the frame and fastened the mesh using some thin wire. I think it looks really good. I would post some pictures, but I don't know how to post images on this forum (I'm not too bright!!) Anyway, any questions about how to do it - just let me know.

Next project - to do the same to the upper grill!