Nate

First you have to take off your front bumper cover. This sounds hard but is really easy. There is an 8mm bolt in each front fender well, there are 4 clips under the car, and 3 clips where the hood latches.

This is how your fake fog holes look.



Start by cutting off the big part of the plastic with a razor blade. You'll want to start cutting down far enough so that you miss the slats, as seen in the next 2 pics.



Now you've cut off most of it. You can see its still pretty jagged.



Trim it by very carefully cutting off the excess. Steady the blade with both hands because if you slip, your bumper cover is toast! I didn't try to get too close, just cut away the big parts, leaving a small lip.



Now very VERY carefully trim away the final lip. Use sharp razor blades to get a nice cut. You'll notice from the front you still have black showing and its pretty ugly.



Take a file to the remaining black plastic at an angle until it looks nice and clean from the front.



You're done cutting it out! It took me about 2 hours to do both holes because I was going really slow. Take your time -- you don't want to slip and ruin your bumper!!!

Be careful with the razors blades! I got myself once. Also, try not to apply any side pressure to the blades because they break very easily (hehe). It will be helpful to do this project on a sunny day like I did. The sun made the razors cut much easier.

Nate

Now you're ready to put on the mesh. I bought my mesh from a local performance shop but you might want to try these guys.

Start out by cutting the mesh and bending it to form around the hole. Make sure you place the side of the mesh you want showing through the hole correctly before you start bending it.



Now this is a tricky part. How to attach the mesh to the bumper cover?

I used epoxy, an extremely strong glue. I put down epoxy around the hole, placed the mesh on, and then I put a layer of epoxy on over the grill. It didn't stick right away but after a few minutes the epoxy got tacky I was able to press the mesh down and it stuck. I let it harden for an hour or so and then put another layer of epoxy on.



Let the glue harden until you feel confident enough to put the bumper cover back on (this is easier with two people). You're done! I'll post more pics when I redo the mesh on my Mugen grill tomorrow.




I really think this mod will improve performance for those running a short ram intake. With the stock resonator box removed, cool air will flow through the mesh in the fake fog hole and right into the filter of your intake! This should be great for those (like me) who hesitate to install a CAI because of constant rainy weather.

While I had the bumper cover off I flipped over my license plate bracket (props for this mod goes to UW TL! ) and attached it using zip ties instead of bolts. This puts it lower to the ground and back under the bumper more. Looks much better!

BlackTL2K

Great job as usual Nate! Looks awesome.

What did you do with the front under body kit when you removed the bumper? Did you have to take it off as well?
The pictures which represent this are hard to see, but it looks like the kit was still atached to the bumper when you removed it.

Nate

Thanks! I left the under body chin spoiler on the bumper cover when I took the bumper cover off to put in the mesh. Theres no need to remove the chin spoiler.

BigSteve

Just curious what did you do about the wholes in the bumper from the license plate frame?

UW RL

aww... you are so sweet!...


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nate
[B]While I had the bumper cover off I flipped over my license plate bracket (props for this mod goes to UW TL! ) and attached it using zip ties instead of bolts. This puts it lower to the ground and back under the bumper more. Looks much better!
QUOTE]

Nate

Dude, I'm not down with that gay ****!

There were no holes in my bumper. Theres not much you can do about them except to get a new bumper cover.

speed

Good Job! Excellent post! This should definately goto the FAQ section! Nice detailed pix!

Did the blades sink into the plastic easily?

ha 65mph

I am impressed Nate.. Good Job...

Evan

Lawaia

Awesome job Nate! U DA MAN!! :p

wiggingboy

damn...i would pay you to put it on for me if you were close.
GReat JoB!! Where do you buy the mesh from?? And how much do they cost??

Nate

Thanks guys!

speed, yes the razor blade goes into the plastic pretty easily. However, and I forgot to mention this above (edited it in just now), it will be helpful to do this project on a sunny day like I did. The sun made the razors cut much easier.

wiggingboy, I bought my mesh at a local performance shop but you can try these guys.

VTEC Animal

Nate, now that's what's called instructions!!!! If I didn't have a leased TL I'd be following your instructions this weekend, but I don't think American Honda would like me to....

jumpman

damn bro... great job!

TLon19s

Hey Nate, you didnt happen to purchase your supplies from Home Depot on 1st Ave? Tuesday night???

Nate

Yo Mike.. I think that was the day... I had used all my epoxy and had to go get some more to do the Mugen grill. Which, BTW, you should check out! I had it repainted - got rid of the spider cracks, the rough edge where the Mugen emblem was cut out, and the fatty dings - and also re-meshed it to match the fog holes. Pics soon. Hit me up at HIN, check out my TVs!

Shoofin

Now let me figure out how to archive this to FAQ's.
Ed
P.S. GOOD JOB!

Mr Hyde

Nice job Nate, looks very neat and pretty slick

NBP TL

Hey good job Nate. Nice install instructions too. I just did the same thing on my car, now im working on the middle section.

patrick

Great job Nate! Any chance you'll come to Vancouver and help me with it? Would be great if you could though

92legend

Nate or anyone else that knows. Where can I get those little blade things(pictured in this thread) from and what exactly are they called? Thanks.

Nate

They are called box cutters or razors. You can get them at any hardware store. You might want to wear gloves.

etxxz

how about some DIY on how to make the front air dam mesh? i really need thisone.