Experimental 4 Gen/MDX grill
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Experimental 4 Gen/MDX grill
I have been working on this combination grille for my Tl for some time now, the idea was to incorporate the Mdx grille into the Tl grille so that i would be able to use all the original mounting locations,the was many complications along the way and it required a lot of patience and to this point almost 100 hours of labour,i should be able to complete this project by tomorrow as it is in the final stages of painting.I know that Nexon made a one of combo grille and i think that it looks awsome,i appreciate your comments positive or negative on my progress at this point,the good thing is if this does not work out as planned i could always go back to my sports grille,here are the pics
I started with this
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/mdxgrille.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/tlgrille.jpg)
remenants of both grilles
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/IMG_0021.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/IMG_0024-1.jpg)
i have used a combination of epoxy and ss screws to put this together
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/SSPX0270.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/SSPX0266.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/SSPX0265.jpg)
test fitment on the car
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/008.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/005.jpg)
opening at top
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/004.jpg)
i had to make a custom piece to close the top,this piece required a lot of work as it is curved from end to end and rolled at the front,lucky for me i have access to the equipment necessary for this
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/010-2.jpg)
after the epoxy dried i did a refit and had to use a heat gun to close up the gap between the grille and the hood
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/IMG_0018.jpg)
today i had the epoxy primer and sealed done,i hope to paint tomorrow and take some final pics,i hope that i have no issues on final fit.
I started with this
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/mdxgrille.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/tlgrille.jpg)
remenants of both grilles
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/IMG_0021.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/IMG_0024-1.jpg)
i have used a combination of epoxy and ss screws to put this together
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/SSPX0270.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/SSPX0266.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/SSPX0265.jpg)
test fitment on the car
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/008.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/005.jpg)
opening at top
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/004.jpg)
i had to make a custom piece to close the top,this piece required a lot of work as it is curved from end to end and rolled at the front,lucky for me i have access to the equipment necessary for this
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/010-2.jpg)
after the epoxy dried i did a refit and had to use a heat gun to close up the gap between the grille and the hood
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/IMG_0018.jpg)
today i had the epoxy primer and sealed done,i hope to paint tomorrow and take some final pics,i hope that i have no issues on final fit.
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shadow1 (01-08-2012)
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#8
Drifting
Thread Starter
I installed the finished grille,the fit is very good however i am somewhat dissapointed with the finish,while the paint is good the prep was'nt,some pin holes showed up and a few hi/low spots,i am not too concerened with this atm because i will see how it stands up to the elements first and the have it repainted,these are the only pictures that i can take because i cannot go beyond the driveway.
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/009-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/008-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/004-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/003-2.jpg)
this was my winter project and was done just for the fun of it,i prefer to keep busy doing stuff like this.Thanks for looking!!!!!
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/009-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/008-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/004-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/003-2.jpg)
this was my winter project and was done just for the fun of it,i prefer to keep busy doing stuff like this.Thanks for looking!!!!!
#9
Drifting
I actually like the look! Very creative. The 2012 black headlights would set the grille off IMO.
#12
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks,i have a few options now,i want to paint the middle piece (with the logo) that was left over in wdp and use it on the sports grille that i have i think that wil look sharp as well.
I hear you,i am one of the few who like the bold look of the original grille so i don't mind,i did try using a white vinyl wrap on the outer structure (the Tl grille) and leaving the Mdx portion in the original gun metal grey but it did'nt seem right,i might try various color combo and see what looks best.
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
I am not quite sure what you would like me to do,because my car is stored for the winter i can only take pics in the garage or on the driveway,i cannot go on the road for insurance purposes.Help me to understand what you would like to see and i will try,thanks.
Last edited by KarKraze; 01-07-2012 at 11:59 PM.
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
Okay,i removed the grille from the car yesterday after i took the pictures that i posted,as i said there are some things that i am not happy with and will try to fix them,here is where i wish i had the skills that you possess.I can take any pics from the back that you guys want and here is a few
close up side
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/005-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/008-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/007-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/006-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/005-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/002-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/001-2.jpg)
i hope this helps,let me know if you need anything more,i will keep working on this until i am completely satisfied with it,thanks for your input.
close up side
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/005-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/008-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/007-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/006-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/005-1.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/002-2.jpg)
![](http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/KarKraze/001-2.jpg)
i hope this helps,let me know if you need anything more,i will keep working on this until i am completely satisfied with it,thanks for your input.
Last edited by KarKraze; 01-08-2012 at 09:52 AM.
#20
holy cow catcher...Way to Big.
#21
Drifting
i painted my upper/lower grill gunmetal last night. got rid of the chrome and used metallic silver.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/defcon008/6661755093/http://www.flickr.com/photos/defcon008/6661755093/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/defcon008/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/defcon008/6661755093/http://www.flickr.com/photos/defcon008/6661755093/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/defcon008/, on Flickr
#22
i painted my upper/lower grill gunmetal last night. got rid of the chrome and used metallic silver.
![](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6661755093_7c02acfa00_b.jpg)
_MG_9329 by defconskylude, on Flickr
![](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6661755093_7c02acfa00_b.jpg)
_MG_9329 by defconskylude, on Flickr
![Tongue](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
The following users liked this post:
rockstar143 (01-08-2012)
#25
Drifting
Thread Starter
Appreciate it,thanks.
.
I was concerned that if i eliminated that gap i would weaken the original grille too much,i also thought it would help with the air flow.
Not sure about air flow,this was also one of the reasons i left the space at the bottom.
Mr Marco you sir are my favourite poster,you always manage to say something funny,i am not sure how you do it but somehow you manage lol.The front end of the Tl always catch a lot of bugs,but a cow........i am not too sure.Maybe if i painted the original Tl grille in wdp and left the Mdx grille in the gun metal it might help minimize the effect over having it in silver,that's why the title say's experimental,i will consider all input and once again thanks to everyone.
I was concerned that if i eliminated that gap i would weaken the original grille too much,i also thought it would help with the air flow.
Mr Marco you sir are my favourite poster,you always manage to say something funny,i am not sure how you do it but somehow you manage lol.The front end of the Tl always catch a lot of bugs,but a cow........i am not too sure.Maybe if i painted the original Tl grille in wdp and left the Mdx grille in the gun metal it might help minimize the effect over having it in silver,that's why the title say's experimental,i will consider all input and once again thanks to everyone.
#28
Drifting
#30
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KK-very nice work! You should be proud of that grill. It's definitely a "one of a kind".
#31
Drifting
Thread Starter
One of a kind indeed lol,i kinda think of it as my winter stress buster,spending a few hours when i have the time working in total seclusion is good for me.
#35
Advanced
Bravo Bravo. Dude, your persistence is to be applauded. i have to say every time i saw an 07-09 MDX, i thought why not THAT grill for the TL, instead of the one on there. The one on the MDX had the same basic branding but was MUCH more rugged and attractive.
I am sure you got discouraged, but you were not dissuaded. Well done!!
I think it looks great. You should be on Acura's design team.
I am sure you got discouraged, but you were not dissuaded. Well done!!
I think it looks great. You should be on Acura's design team.
Last edited by drive4show; 01-12-2012 at 04:59 PM.
#37
Drifting
Thread Starter
Bravo Bravo. Dude, your persistence is to be applauded. i have to say every time i saw an 07-09 MDX, i thought why not THAT grill for the TL, instead of the one on there. The one on the MDX had the same basic branding but was MUCH more rugged and attractive.
I am sure you got discouraged, but you were not dissuaded. Well done!!
I think it looks great. You should be on Acura's design team.
I am sure you got discouraged, but you were not dissuaded. Well done!!
I think it looks great. You should be on Acura's design team.
Thank you both for the compliments,i am repainting the outer grille in a matte titanium and leaving the Mdx section the original colour,no rush now as the fitment is very good,i just need to refine the finish.
#40
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thank you,the silver i used was way too shiney lol,i plan on using a matte silver/titainum on the outside and leaving the Mdx section the original colour.
Appreciate the comments,thanks!!!!