My grill ... Updated

[DaZanY4002]

Update on my grill. This is what it was at previously.

Since then, I took what PXL and Solarablue said and was able to fit the TRD logo with a bit of sanding/fiberglassing. I also went and got that mesh from Osh beigecamry said and worked it behind the grille. I needed some chrome though to cover the fiberglass on the center bar, and used the dupli-color chrome, but I'm not happy with it being pretty off, it's not near the original Lara grill's chrome. Here's a few pics of where it's at now. Still unfinished. Anyone know a brand of chrome paint that's close to the Lara grill's chrome? And you'll see a little string tied, it was just on to keep a glue to dry the mesh and center bar together.

[woa_its_j3ff]

I kinda like it yet I kinda dont. I think that badge looks off on the grill, I'd choose a badge that has no background on it, imo.

otherwise it's okay.. but I still like mine better
I like how the chrome is all there, I think it kinda accents the window trim chrome a bit, but I dont like the background of the grille where it looks all "gray or dirty black" if you get what I mean.. look.. empty.. too empty.


thumbs up for a job well done though on a first try.

[PXLpainter]

You're on the right track!

I'd go with a courser mesh or expanded metal for the back instead of what looks like window screen.

The badge doesn't bother me too much nor does the split in the middle bar. Anyway, a big improvement over the OEM - keep up the good work!

[DaZanY4002]

Thanks for the input. I get what you mean by the empty look, and I will switch to a courser mesh like PXL said, very very soon lol, it is window screen at the moment. It still looks kinda sweet in person though.

[CamryOnBronze]

I think its awkward how the center bar just ends... looks kind of weird not being symmetrical. Props for doing it yourself and being different though!

[(K)]

+1 on not being afraid to cut into the grill. I'm still deciding on whether or not to cut into mine lol. I only have one!!

Looks good though, but like Damon said, it's a bit awkward, not symmetrical. Everything else I think looks pretty original.

[---CAMRAZY---]

Very nice!!



+1 on having the cojones to do this to your grille...

[PXLpainter]

Hey I didn't notice that the center bar ends in a strange place on the right side... any way to squeeze a TRD tag in there somehow?

Anxious to see the larger steel mesh too... good start!

[SolaraBlue]

^^^^ i agree, if you could get that trd badge in there i think it would look great... looks nice now, but with some work it could look even better. good start!

[SleeperSolara]

Not bad man.

[Chinky420]

i like the way the chrome is still preserved.

i don't like the way the background 'mesh' is very fabricky-looking, instead of metal mesh (like used for gutter-storm drains)

i like the way that the center bar is worked in

i don't like the way the driver side isn't symmetrical to the pass. side.

i do like that it looks pretty clean though, and that you didn't cheap out and just leave a big gaping hole that shows the radiator behind the grill.

btw, how did you go about mounting that black backing to the grill? and how did you re-attach the centerbars?

any plans on doing a DIY tutorial write up?

overall, looks good

[DaZanY4002]

btw, how did you go about mounting that black backing to the grill? and how did you re-attach the centerbars?

any plans on doing a DIY tutorial write up?

To attach the center bar, I filed the two ends with one of those files you probably used in wood shop class, put gorilla glue on one end and slightly dampened the other. Taped it over night. The next day I removed the tape and placed thin fiber glass sheets with the fiber glass liquid on the inside of the center bars where they meet. For the backing I just used a small power drill, the shortest & thinest self tap screws at home depot. And black window screen. I used 3 of those wires that come in bread packages hehe, to tie the screws on the inside of the middle bar to the backing for support.

It was to test it out. I have plans to replace the backing with actual mesh, not sure if black or silver yet (and not 100% how I'll attach it to the grill but I'll find a clean way hopefully). And I'll be placing the emblem lower so that the bar ends evenly with the emblem squeezed in. I'll put a tutorial up in the near future, when it's done and I have the spare time, see if it's cool enough for somebody to sport it on their Lara.

Oh and btw thanks for the suggestions, props, and compliments to my cojones.

[DaZanY4002]

Update on first post. New pics!

[beigecamry]

I see you found the mesh. Which screen size did you get, the large or the small? Also, where did you get the TRD badge?

I kinda like it, but I think you should have the middle chrome bar extend to both ends or not have it there at all. Not really sure how to incorporate both the bar and badge on the mesh...Anywho, it looks okay right now, are you gonna keep it like this or change it?

[(K)]

I'm looking at this again and it's starting to grow on me haha.

Window screen ftw.