It is early in the project, but it looks promising so far. Once again, using odds and ends in my shop along with dollar store things. Will post more pics as it progresses. Using 1/8” aluminum. The X’d areas will be removed and filled with a mesh material designed for cooking fish or veggies on a bbq grill (the Dollar store items). They will be attached to the tire side of the piece using a bead of construction adhesive. The adhesive will squish through the mesh and then can be smoothed to look half decent (I hope). When everything is dry, it will get a coat of rattle can red to match my other trim items. Mounting bracket fabbing will also start tomorrow! Trying to keep it simple. If it looks reasonable (it’s hard to compete with our various SS vendors), I’ll post more.
Trying to make front covers - below headlights
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How about making them like this?
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I do not have punches or stamping equipment that make louvers.
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Looks good! Looking forward to seeing the final results.
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The project continues. First pic is of the 1/8” aluminum frame, second is the bbq grill I used as filler. Wanted the mesh type, but couldn’t find it locally (Amherst, Nova Scotia). Third is with the filler panels in place, held using construction adhesive. Once dry, the inside (tire side) will get a coat of black rubberized gravel guard while the visible outside will get a coat of red.
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Progress. Trim colour goes on in the morning. The view is of the back (tire) side.
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I made the straight cuts in the aluminum using plunge cuts with my Ryobi One+ circular saw. It easily cuts aluminum up to 1/4”. The shorter ones were scored with a 4.5” mini grinder then bent to break the metal. Used files to smooth things out. I agree. DIY is cheaper and rewarding. Spending $500 for plastic or fiberglass pieces does not work for me.
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More progress. After the paint dries, I will install and take pics. But only if they look half decent! So far, $18 in “out of pocket” costs. In the first two pics, the aluminum angle mounting brackets can be seen and are installed using pop rivets. The upper ones will be attached using screws into the underside of the black plastic below the headlights. The lower ones will (reluctantly) require drilling into the bumper/spoiler for attachment.
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Right side installed. I’m thinking rather than red they should be either body color (gray) or semi gloss black. I’ll give it a few days before a final decision!!
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Right side installed. I’m thinking rather than red they should be either body color (gray) or semi gloss black. I’ll give it a few days before a final decision!!
Those are sharp looking!
I agree either great or black would make them blend in much better -
Those are sharp looking!I agree either great or black would make them blend in much better
or, go red with the center radiator grill. It looks really good! Well done! I painted my center radiator grill cover with a four dollar can of rattled paint. If you want to pay $100 for a colored plastic one you still have to take the old one out. Why not paint it?
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Those are sharp looking!
I agree either great or black would make them blend in much better@ MACAWS
Please go gray! That way I will know what mine will look like!
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Right side installed. I’m thinking rather than red they should be either body color (gray) or semi gloss black. I’ll give it a few days before a final decision!!
You've got the hard part done...and they look great. Changing the color with a rattle can of the color you want is pretty easy. Nice work.
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Fini!!! Still undecided about the colour though. It is easily changed, so it won’t be an issue.
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Fini!!! Still undecided about the colour though. It is easily changed, so it won’t be an issue.
My thought...trim in red and 'field' in dark gray/black I know you have things trimmed out in red on your Slingshot.
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Might just try EJ’s idea. The perimeter can easily be masked off and left red and allow the field to be sprayed in gray. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Here's a web page with a good selection of mesh products if you want to try to go that way. Welded or Woven Wire Mesh in a square pattern defined by the number of openings per inch(mesh).
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Fini!!! Still undecided about the colour though. It is easily changed, so it won’t be an issue.
Just remember that after a few thousand miles you will need to repaint because of the sand blasting on the front. I also agree with @EjFord on the colors, if you stay with the red do the grill also.
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Good stuff! I still want those side inserts you made out of plastic...