I'm getting there with the grille now. It's taking my mind off all the SVA issues that I have to address!

The grille is 0.9mm stainless steel and the surround 1050A 1.5mm pure aluminium. The surround will be powder coated black and the grille slats polished. All i've got to do is to devise a method of fixing the grille.

John

Looking really good. Have been planning a redesign for my front grille for ages and you have just given me inspiration.

Are the slats made from strips of ali bent double along their length or are they solid?

Rich

[Edited on 14/2/07 by jamesbond007ltk]

Hi Rich

Thank you for your encouragement. It is much appreciated.

The slats started as 40mm wide strips. I folded at the halfway mark down the length to as far beyond a right angle as i could with my folder. I then used the vice with soft jaws to fold util the two tear edges were 15mm apart. Then using a 1mm thick cutting disc I removed a 12mm strip from one of the sides leaving an 8mm return. This made it easier for attaching the spacers and I though would cause less impedance to airflow.

alb

John

Very very nice John


Would the studding extend into the frame?

atb
Paul G

Good question Paul. I'm sleeping on it and hope for inspiration tomorrow.

Thank you for your kind words.

Best wishes

John

I made my grill from B+Q oval plastic conduit and sprayed with chrome spray. Bonded this to rear of nose cone with polyurethane adhesive. For some ereason after a year of use it warped a bit so might remake.

Pic in archive under Finished car 2006 (top one).

Paul, I thought long and hard and decided to fix the uprights through the surround and I am quite satisfied with that bit. However, what I didn't notice was that the the recess that the surround sits on is not flat, it's on a slight curve. This was easily accommodated by the aluminium which was why I didn't notice it. The grille on the other hand is straight so it projects with sharp edges forward of the grille recess. Fortunately, my shrinker was able to put a set just outside of the outer uprights to bring in the ends of the slats so that solved that problem. This has left crinkles in the slats. Nasty!

If it were aluminium it could be easily addressed. My question, TREV D are you out there, what is the best way of removing the suface damage to the stainless. All answers gratefully received.

John

In the absence of Saint Trev, may I suggest the following;

Flap wheel. Use like you would a sweeping brush,
bringing it down onto the metal, apply a little pressure, then lift off, keeping it moving all the time through each pass.
Don't attempt to dig into the mark or it will end up looking like a dent.

Try first on scrap.

Stitched rag wheel with soap, then un-stitched rag wheel.

If your s/s is mirror finish this should do it.
If you have a grained finish then use Scotch pad to bring it back to original.

Looks damn smart John. Well done.

Atb

Paul G
Rescued attachment polish-wheels-s.jpg

Thank you very much for the advice Paul. I'll give it a go and post the finished result.

Best wishes

John