4G '09-'11 & '12 Combination Grille, Planning and Worklog
07-30-2011, 02:54 PM
#1
-Brian
Thread Starter
4G '09-'11 & '12 Combination Grille, Planning and Worklog
Hello Everyone!
As we know the 09-11 grille has caused a certain amount of controversy. Some love it's bold look, some not so much. Anyway's as for myself, I really was never a fan of the 09-11 grille, but the positives of the 4G TL overweigh the grille. I found the solution to paint the grille which made me happy, however there is something missing. IMO a grille should have some sort of "chrome" too it, to bring some classyness to it. With the painted grille, it sort of all just blends in, which is still nice, don't get me wrong.
So since I don't want to lose my left leg for a Ron Jon grille, and being a fabricator; I decided to come up with a possible solution. The plan is to combine the top portion of the '12 grille (with Shield) with the lower portion of the 09-10 (with the mesh).
Will this all work? Who knows? I just have the desire to try. Worst case scenario is that I loose a few hundred. I will take that chance with the possibility of having a one off grille, that I desire.
Anyway's, I will pick up the top '12 grille on Tuesday. I got a white painted one, as it would come in the soonest. I already have the '10 grille and '12 Shield and Chrome Surround.
My plan is to essentially cut both grilles in half and mend in the middle. The '12 chrome surround will be molded into the '10 and '12 grille, so there will not be a chrome surround on this grille. I will update with pictures once I get started!
Thanks Con5179, I stole your picture!!
As we know the 09-11 grille has caused a certain amount of controversy. Some love it's bold look, some not so much. Anyway's as for myself, I really was never a fan of the 09-11 grille, but the positives of the 4G TL overweigh the grille. I found the solution to paint the grille which made me happy, however there is something missing. IMO a grille should have some sort of "chrome" too it, to bring some classyness to it. With the painted grille, it sort of all just blends in, which is still nice, don't get me wrong.
So since I don't want to lose my left leg for a Ron Jon grille, and being a fabricator; I decided to come up with a possible solution. The plan is to combine the top portion of the '12 grille (with Shield) with the lower portion of the 09-10 (with the mesh).
Will this all work? Who knows? I just have the desire to try. Worst case scenario is that I loose a few hundred. I will take that chance with the possibility of having a one off grille, that I desire.
Anyway's, I will pick up the top '12 grille on Tuesday. I got a white painted one, as it would come in the soonest. I already have the '10 grille and '12 Shield and Chrome Surround.
My plan is to essentially cut both grilles in half and mend in the middle. The '12 chrome surround will be molded into the '10 and '12 grille, so there will not be a chrome surround on this grille. I will update with pictures once I get started!
Thanks Con5179, I stole your picture!!
Last edited by Nexson; 07-30-2011 at 02:57 PM.
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Phenomena (08-01-2011)
07-30-2011, 07:03 PM
#3
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08-01-2011, 11:24 AM
#8
Drifting
this should be interesting. ive never seen you do fiberglass work before. did you have any fiberglass projects on the fiberglass forum?
good luck man!
good luck man!
08-01-2011, 01:20 PM
#10
-Brian
Thread Starter
http://myfloridasrt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6082
http://myfloridasrt.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=45
And this grille will not be fiberglassed. The chrome finish is just a finish. Underneath it is plastic. I need to sand to plastic and treat this job as if I am repairing a crack in plastic.
08-01-2011, 07:51 PM
#12
-Brian
Thread Starter
Tomorrow the last piece I need comes in,. which is the top painted portion of the grille. Right now I am able to start prepping the pieces I have, and get some sort of an idea of how I am going to frankenstein this grille together.
First off, this is the grille surround as I call it. Like the entire grille, it has a chrome like finish, which sands off, but not easily. Since you can't bond chrome plating to chrome plating, you need to get down to the plastic, and grind up the plastic to provide some tooth for the epoxy.
Here is the grille all grinded down. I also cut the bottom portion off to start to give me an idea of how this is going to work out. The back of the grille is also sanded down, because the strength will come from the back, where I can really load up the epoxy.
Here is the 09-11 grille that will be used.
Here is a mock up of how this thing is going to work out. The grille surround with the shield will be flush with the 09-11 grille. it will not be molded in place like the picture suggests. The open space up top will be replaced with the top' 12 grille. The '12 grille gives me the body line in center.
First off, this is the grille surround as I call it. Like the entire grille, it has a chrome like finish, which sands off, but not easily. Since you can't bond chrome plating to chrome plating, you need to get down to the plastic, and grind up the plastic to provide some tooth for the epoxy.
Here is the grille all grinded down. I also cut the bottom portion off to start to give me an idea of how this is going to work out. The back of the grille is also sanded down, because the strength will come from the back, where I can really load up the epoxy.
Here is the 09-11 grille that will be used.
Here is a mock up of how this thing is going to work out. The grille surround with the shield will be flush with the 09-11 grille. it will not be molded in place like the picture suggests. The open space up top will be replaced with the top' 12 grille. The '12 grille gives me the body line in center.
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Litt (08-08-2011)
08-02-2011, 03:55 PM
#18
-Brian
Thread Starter
The grille would essentially fit like oem since it will be using the OEM's back black mesh structure. I have to see how easy this is to make for myself, then test to see its durability at the seams where it has been joined.
08-02-2011, 11:52 PM
#19
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Nexson, you really might be on to something here! Anxious for more!
08-04-2011, 11:25 AM
#20
-Brian
Thread Starter
^^Thanks! I went to pick up the '12 grille and murphy was there to greet me. The grille arrived damaged...with a crack in the middle.
Tomorrow he can get a new one in, my color, not that the color really matters.
Tomorrow he can get a new one in, my color, not that the color really matters.
08-04-2011, 02:06 PM
#21
Racer
They obviously don't get the UPS girl to put 5million foam popcorn things in the box w/ the grille... bc mine arrived beautifully!
I'm very anxious to see how this turns out!
08-04-2011, 03:24 PM
#22
-Brian
Thread Starter
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Wooty Woo (08-05-2011)
08-05-2011, 07:48 PM
#27
-Brian
Thread Starter
While working countless hours today, it came to my mind, that it is a sin to not use your God given talent. Do what you love and be great at it. I was given the chance to change the face of the oh so controversal Acura TL grille. Thank you God for giving me a brain and two hands.
Enjoy
Enjoy
08-05-2011, 08:34 PM
#30
16GS FSprt,03Max,12 335is
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Nice, definate improvement. You might make some money from other 09-11 guys wanting you to do the work for them as that is definately a much better looking combo 
08-05-2011, 11:33 PM
#36
takin care of Business in
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holy shit...well done dude....
in for the final results...
in for the final results...
