Facelift for the little Lady!

[Claws]

Did this yesterday, I know I'm not the first, but just in case someone is interested.

[Old Peter]

Looks good, Steve.

 

While the "waterfall" still looks OK, the mesh always seems more modern.

 

Peter.

[Claws]

Thanks Peter,

I have taken photos of every stage (practically) but can't upload on the site due to size, would be happy to e-mail to anyone who would like to see them, there are about a dozen or more, but unfortunately it would mean multiple e-mails, because the one e-mail would be to big (mega byte wise) to send all in one go

[Claws]

Hi All

Have managed to sort out the size of the pics showing all stages. Hope they all come out ok? If anyone fancies having a go, I can let you know what I found out while I was making the change.

Steve

[Phil58]

Hi Steve. Noticed All your pics are at side of a static, is it your holiday retreat? Or do you live in it. Phil

[Claws]

Hi Phil

Weekend getaway!

[Phil58]

Can't beat it. I live in mine, well for 10,5 months anyway

[Tim Jag]

Nice Job Steve,

 

Im going to do the same to mine next week. thanks for the pics

[Claws]

Hi Tim

The first cut is the scary one (no going back!) if you are getting your mesh from Adamesh, I would advise ignore the instructions that suggest using a Jigsaw! The plastic is way to soft / flimsy and would be quite easy to cut in half, much better to use the hacksaw. The lower mesh, behind the plate, is a bit of a Faff, you will get some aluminium blocks to use, to anchor the mesh to the existing grill, again I would advise thread the blocks first with the screws provided, rather than trying to do it while holding the mesh / blocks and a screw driver all at the same time. the screws provided, have very small heads, and will actually pass through the mesh, when you have decided where to place them, use pin nose pliers to squeeze the mesh around the head, or use some very small washers

If you can post some pics, and keep us up to date

Regards Steve

[Tim Jag]

Thanks Steve this was very helpful, 

 

yeah i bet the first cut is the worst, did you have to sand down the leftover from the cuts?

[Claws]

Hi Tim

Apologies for delay in replying.

There were little bits left after all the vertical strips came out, I used the hacksaw to take them as close to the remaining 'Frame' as possible, then simply used rough grade glass paper to smooth it all around. When happy, I used a rag soaked in clean water only to clean it up. Left it for a couple of minutes to dry (enough time for a !Removed! and a slurp of my pint ) took it in the storage shed, and gave it a spray. While that was drying, I got on with the lower air intake.

If you do this and have to buy the hacksaw I used, get your self some spare blades, the one supplied is about as useful as stick of liquorice! I used 32 TPI.

A couple of tips, to separate the chrome surround from the back piece, use a small flat blade screw driver, 1/4 - 1/2 inch wide to gently lever apart, bear in mind the plastic has got soft / brittle with age and weathering, there are tabs on the underside that should click together, they really are very soft, and would easily break, the problem you will have, comes when introducing the mesh, the tabs are not designed to cater for the extra thickness of the mesh ( your basically making a sand which the mesh being the filler) I had to flatten the mesh slightly, I found it to be too rounded, I used my knee and a little bit of pressure to reduce the arc, be careful not crease it, it will be ruined if you do.

Once I introduced the mesh to the 'Frame' and then lined up the chrome piece on top, that was a faff!, I 'persuade' the tabs on the back to engage, thereby locking the mesh in place, I used the same flat blade screwdriver, again please note the tabs are soft, and will break quite easy, I was lucky! One thing I was really lucky with, was the type of mesh to get, I ordered it, and one of the guys from adamesh actually phoned me to make sure I have the correct one, it turns out I didn't! I sent a photo of the car, and the guy adjusted the order for me.

Next thing for me, will probably be the rear boxes, I have the Sport model so may as well have the boxes! CD needs replacing, but I'm not brave enough just yet, the guys have been really helpful, just need to get my head around the info given to me.

Anyhow, please shout if I can help in anyway

Regards

Steve

[Nightwing]

Steve, very nice.

I have to say, the mesh just wins it for me in the looks department.

Is yours a V6 or V8?

[Nightwing]

Although in darkens colours, like Tim Jag, the waterfall(?), looks awesome too.

[Claws]

Hi Amal

Mines the 3.0 Litre V6, I would love the S type R! But out of my price range I'm afraid.

I am still in two minds about adding some mesh to the two final openings, bottom left and right of the bumper? Not sure whether it would finish it off nicely or would it be OTT?

I just fancy doing little jobs to improve (in my opinion) her looks, even in the engine bay

Regards

Steve

[Nightwing]

Oh wow! I just noticed the mesh under the grill....nice. More? Not sure...could be too much. Tricky. See if you can find another that has it on already.

[Claws]

Perhaps your right, 'er' in doors, said no! and the cost of the mesh for just a couple of little strips perhaps not worth it. As they say sometimes less is more

[Tim Jag]

Hi steve,

Thanks so much for the reply, I'm actually away at the moment, decided to have new years out of the uk. all the parts have arrived and i was very careful on making sure i had ordered the correct one (300mm) it cost me 35 quid though, is that normal? I'm back in the uk sunday so will attach it monday, your advice is priceless, i will make sure i have spare liquorish and beer haha

 

Happy New Year

[Claws]

Hi Tim

Happy new year to you to.

35 quid? I think you got yourself a bargain!

Good luck with making the change, don't forget keep us up dated, and add some photos if you can

Regards

Steve

[Tim Jag]

Hi Steve,

So i have done it (pictures below) please excuse the cable ties still on, I'm waiting for the epoxy to set.

A dremel is a hobby tool i suppose, it will pretty much cut, sand and drill any material with a million different heads (also great for grinding back rust)l, I am actually a Private yacht/ship officer and in my younger years a bit of a shipwright working my way up through the ranks so i have a fair amount of experience with a tool like this, anyway what do you think? took me about a hour to do after i stopped fussing around with cups of coffee and rain coats (typical Welsh weather but then at least its not snowing)

[Simjag]

Looks great, I think it's about time I did mine!

[Claws]

Great Job! Tim

got to say does look good 👍👍 and let me guess a huge grin of satisfaction to boot? I was 'Well pleased' (as they say) when I stood back and admired her. More to the point are you pleased? Did you have any particular probs Along the way ?

[Tim Jag]

The only issues I had were:

making the first cut haha

And I decided to epoxy it first then pair the areas I cut while I waited for it to stick, It just made things a little awkward.

But in saying that, if I did it again it would be perfect, so if anyone wants me to do it for them then just ask, I could buy and old grill, update it like this and then post the entire unit to them so all they have to do it take the four screws out and screw the new one in 😊

[Tim Jag]

The only issues I had were:

making the first cut haha

And I decided to epoxy it first then pair the areas I cut while I waited for it to stick, It just made things a little awkward.

But in saying that, if I did it again it would be perfect, so if anyone wants me to do it for them then just ask, I could buy and old grill, update it like this and then post the entire unit to them so all they have to do it take the four screws out and screw the new one in 😊

[Claws]

Hi Tim

tried to reply earlier today but had probs 

got yourself a niche market 😉

I only have one criticism you we're drinking Coffee! Pints of beer are mandatory 

regards

Steve

[Tim Jag]

Hi Steve,

Normally i would have had several beers making the job last a lot longer but i had sadly i had to drive to my brothers after, where we had a large amount of beers, rum and a curry, today i can't look a beer in the eye

 

Tim