DIY: OEM Emblem-less Grill

[CandlestickPark]

As requested by others bigc and I are posting the DIY for the method we used to make our OEM Emblem-less grills.

This DIY explains one method to patch the hole left when you remove the emblem from the grill of a G35 / Skyline. This DIY does not attempt to replicate the ‘bumps’ on the rest of the coupe’s grill (it’s a lot more work), however, but it does take you through priming the grill for paint.

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK

The basic idea is to use Bondo to patch the gaps left in the two center slats of the OEM grill when you remove the front grill emblem. Using two pieces of foamcore that are temporarily glued to and around the hole in each slat, you’ll form simple ‘molds’ into which you can pour/place the Bondo. After the Bondo sets, you remove the foam-core ‘molds’ which should leave fairly flat top and bottom surfaces. Think of this like pouring Jell-O into a mold - it’s a little more complicated, but basically the same idea. After a little bit of sanding as well as some additional patching, you should have a surface that is smooth enough for paint.

Link to DIY HERE

[dvsmeth0dz]

Thanks guys!! Should make a good weekend project

[bigc]

be sure to take your time - i can't stress this enough

[dvsmeth0dz]

definetly, now i'm in search of some donor grills

[redlude97]

You guys used bondo to fill those molds? Probably not a good idea as its meant to be used as a filler and doesn't have any strength in itself. Its not even meant to be used on dents larger than ~1/2" deep with support and you guys are using it without reinforcement at thicknesses of up to 2 inches. At the very least you should be using "kitty hair" filler which as fiberglass strands as reinforcement. Hope it holds up for you guys

[bigc]

indeed, we used bondo and its holding up great

as we note above, this is one way to patch the holes. randy used one method and got good results - we're using this method and are getting good results. criticism and suggestions are always welcome, however, please note NO ONE on this site besides us has stepped up to date to help others with this project.

[ShanesG]

redlude, its a grill, doesn't need to be bomb proff lol just has to with stand bugs hitting it haha

[Beebo]

Yay... time to buy a donor grill...

Thanks guys!

[Cookie Monster]

appreciate the write up, very thorough and well thought out. propz on the PDF.

[hyperlite21]

it still doesnt explain how to get those bumps on the top where they should be....

[RedG]

yeah FINALLY I already got my donor grill and was gonna give this a try, now the DIY shine some light on some better ideas. Thanks

[Beebo]

Originally Posted by hyperlite21

it still doesnt explain how to get those bumps on the top where they should be....

Originally Posted by CandlestickPark

This DIY does not attempt to replicate the ‘bumps’ on the rest of the coupe’s grill (it’s a lot more work)....

^^^^^^

[zackt69]

Not to jack the thread, and not to make any promises, but I've been working on a part to make the DIY easier.

These are pics of the 2 pieces that I made out of plastic that fit exactly in the holes left by the emblem (the pieces even have the grooved patterns on the back that the grille has). The parts in the pic are the first pieces, and have some bondo on them to fix the small imperfections that happened during the casting. They still need to be smoothed out and straightened a little, and I'm going to add the bumps next.

Once this is finished, I will make a couple of molds and the final pieces will be 100% solid plastic. I'm thinking this will be a good starting point, if you epoxy these in place, and then smooth out the front and all gaps with bondo, you'll have a much more stable patch.

Is there any interest in this? These parts fit my spare 05 coupe grille... so they should fit the 06 as well. Any other years and I would need to make parts specific for those grilles... but once they're made they can be molded and duplicated.

BTW, great DIY Chris and Marcus... the grilles really did come out good!

[bigc]

sweet! you are the man!

[redlude97]

Originally Posted by zackt69

Not to jack the thread, and not to make any promises, but I've been working on a part to make the DIY easier.

These are pics of the 2 pieces that I made out of plastic that fit exactly in the holes left by the emblem (the pieces even have the grooved patterns on the back that the grille has). The parts in the pic are the first pieces, and have some bondo on them to fix the small imperfections that happened during the casting. They still need to be smoothed out and straightened a little, and I'm going to add the bumps next.

Once this is finished, I will make a couple of molds and the final pieces will be 100% solid plastic. I'm thinking this will be a good starting point, if you epoxy these in place, and then smooth out the front and all gaps with bondo, you'll have a much more stable patch.

Is there any interest in this? These parts fit my spare 05 coupe grille... so they should fit the 06 as well. Any other years and I would need to make parts specific for those grilles... but once they're made they can be molded and duplicated.

BTW, great DIY Chris and Marcus... the grilles really did come out good!

Those pieces look good, thats the way I would have done it. Not saying that your guys'(bigc/candlestickpark) won't work, I just felt there were better more durable ways to go about doing this, but props for being the first to make a DIY on it.