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$20 Mesh Grill

42537 Views 77 Replies 26 Participants Last post by  zumchikara
Parts:
(2) Lowes 12x24 19g Steel Mesh
Paint (Optional)

Tools:
Dremel, Sawzall, or Razor knife
Flat Head screwdriver
Tin Snips or Shears
Sharpie Marker
100grit Sand Paper
Towel


I got tired of looking at the big Nissan burger in my grill and wasn't a fan of the clip on grills, so I did a little DIY over the weekend.

1. Remove Grill.

2. Seperate the two grill pieces from each other minding not to break any clips. This is where your flathead comes in handy. Work the seperation from one side to the other.

3. Take the painted/chrome front grill bezel, flip it over paint/chrome side down on your towel so you're looking at the inside.

4. Place your steel mesh over the center hole to get an idea of what excess you need to cut for it to sit flush on the opening's lip.

5. Use your snips/shears to cut the excess so the mesh is sitting flush on the opening's lip.

6.Repeat steps 4. and 5. for the left and right openings with your second mesh sheet.

***Make sure none of the white clip ends are being blocked by the mesh. If so, cut or adjust the mesh.***

7. Now that the mesh is flush against the opening, use a marker to outline the openings lip on the mesh. This will be your final cut, so be precise.

8. Since the mesh now sized you can paint it the color of your choice and while drying move to step 9.

9. Begin cutting the honey comb out of the inside of the rear grill panel. I found it easier the use the snips to cut out a large portion and then follow with the dremel taking off excess around the opening. Keep in mind the plastic gets hot and may fling at you, so eye protection is advised.

9. Use your sand paper and razor to refine the inner opening of melted plastic. Pay extra attention to the bottom lip as this will be the most visible area.

10. Take the cut mesh, place it on the inner part of the painted grill (mind the tabs) and then take the rear grill backing and push it into the front grill, sandwiching your mesh in between. This should hold tight if your cuts were precise, but I added also added a zip tie looped around the lower mesh and the female clip openings on the black grill backing for a little insurance.

11. Admire the new grill.

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Nice work. That looks great.
Thanks!
Looks great .... thanks for the great report
I should have taken more detailed photos, but it gives the jist of it.
I always wanted to do somethin' like this on my 2004 Frontier, you just helped a lot ! Mine looks different from your later model, the lower part is just empty, seems like something should go there (see photo, not my truck, but gives the same view).

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And I need to figure out how to R & R that lower grille, unless someone already knows how and would be nice enough to post how....

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11. Admire the new grill.
12. Admire the new grill.
13. Admire the new grill.
14. Admire the new grill............
:urock:

Cant wait to do mine!!
And I need to figure out how to R & R that lower grille, unless someone already knows how and would be nice enough to post how....

The Orange Thingy Express - OnlyOneDR's Salsa 2K1
^^^check out his grill insert under the mods section of his website
Thanks fellas. Let's see some pics when you're done!
Been on the hunt for an old Datsun badge, but can't find one under $50.

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That looks awesome! :goodjob:
Thanks man. It's still holding up very nicely.
Damn think I need to bust this out. Issue is my truck is metallic blue and getting the paint to match will be an issue. guess the chrome stays. But that Burger is gone. Also I am totally stealing your Datsun idea. Other wise ecellent work.,
Damn think I need to bust this out. Issue is my truck is metallic blue and getting the paint to match will be an issue. guess the chrome stays. But that Burger is gone. Also I am totally stealing your Datsun idea. Other wise ecellent work.,
You can get color matching touch up paint at Nissan for pretty cheap. Brush on enough thick coats, then lightly wet sand it to correct any imperfections.

Another option. I do graffiti art as a side business and there's a brand of spray paint called Montana. You can get them in any conceivable color you can imagine. You'd just have to match it to your blue.
I've used this business for metallic blue for my Mazda truck, good. I got aerosol cans and clear coat.
Touch Up Paint and Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup
^ Bam!
I've used this business for metallic blue for my Mazda truck, good. I got aerosol cans and clear coat.
Touch Up Paint and Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup
Maybe this will be just like the Nissan Electric Blue. And flake off...
That's cool, it's very subtle and looks like the factory plastic one (with smaller sections)... and much better than the chrome bar look IMO. Nice job
do you think a 12x12 piece would fit in the middle. Im out of town and I dont have truck with me. Having trouble finding 12x24 in stainless. thanks
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