Advice on grill build...

[harrison]

Now is the time to decide whether to treat the chrome outline with black, wrap with Cf film, or paint red/another color ??

[KfabR8]

Have you seen black chrome? That might look really wicked with it.

I've only seen the stuff a couple of times - buddy had a 1979 Corvette with a black chrome shift knob and the color's stuck with me over these many long years. Being that I can't stand regular chrome, I'd be doing anything other than leaving the OEM finish.

I'm looking forward to seeing this when it's done and installed. I'm wondering what the structure behind it will look like with the large mesh. The bumper piece that runs across is going to be tricky to make look subtle and not stick out like a sore thumb. It's not a pretty piece in it's natural state.

[harrison]

My stock set of wheels have been Black chromed. The outer piece of grill is primarily made of plastic.

[harrison]

My main objective is to NOT have a bumper bar/license plate holder anymore. WILL have to black out the radiators and metalwork behind grill though.

[desperado]

I dropped by your house to see the grill, but you were not home.

[harrison]

Decided to stay a while longer in Az. Happy Easter, everyone.

[harrison]

Been tinkering again...Started ownership with a stock grill , then switched to the PPI carbon graphite grill, now I am making my own. Can I better the OEM-or PPI ?? Ever since I first met Desparado and saw his Audi TT with a custom grill- I have been wanting something similar. So far I have high gloss powder coat on the new mesh material. And smoke chromed the grills' trim ring. Should the frame be high gloss,or satin finish?(Black of course, my intake area in front is GLOSS black). Trying to make an R8 look better is truly a challenge. This might just be another failure. But could I fail any worse than PPI or OEM? These are two pics of the PPI grill now on my car...it certainly would take less effort to trim the Bar off of the PPI grill and change to a more stock looking mesh, similar to the intake grills' mesh inside the sideblades -- but then I wouldn't be able to pass the PPI grill on to someone --- IF I'm satisfied with my results. ............................Here are mock up shots--with out the smoke chrome trim ring attatched.. THIS is what CHOP- CUT- REBUILD is like on an R8 grill.

[technomania]

where did u buy the mesh??
I really would like more the ppi mesh, but yours is close to it.

[harrison]

The mesh is left-overs from a Hummer project of mine. Found it on the internet. I think the PPI mesh is too large compared to the rest on car. My mesh is closer in size to the OEM mesh on car. Pics of trim ring and Exhaust tips.

[technomania]

looking good!!
and thx!