DIY: OEM Emblem-less Grill
DIY: OEM Emblem-less Grill
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
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
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
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.
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.
redlude, its a grill, doesn't need to be bomb proff lol just has to with stand bugs hitting it haha
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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)....
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!
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!
Last edited by zackt69; Apr 20, 2008 at 09:09 PM.
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!
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!