Slide_Rite's HHR - Pics, Mods & More!
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2012
Posts: 1,430
From: Atlanta
Yep, gutter guard is what I got for mine. Got some metal snips to trim it easily for around $8 @ home depot. Careful though, it's sharp as sin after cutting...had to wear my mechanics gloves while handling to try and clean it up a bit around the edges.
My plan for attaching the mesh is to use Permatex Ultra Black RTV Sealer/Gasket maker. That stuff is waterproof, high temp, and is almost as strong holding as the black sealer used to hold headlights together, so I am hoping a nice bead of it all the way around the outside of the mesh will do the trick. I have already formed the mesh to the backside of the openings so it fits to it like a glove.
I'll get some more pics up tonight, including this new glue I found & used. It is thick like toothpaste, holds on contact, is water soluble prior to curing, and in my experience doubled almost like a putty...allowing me to fill in areas to sand smooth after drying. I used it to fill in the spots where I removed the verticle tabs from the bars.
Now I wish I wasn't @ work...I want to work on the ride!
Good luck with your grill!!
My plan for attaching the mesh is to use Permatex Ultra Black RTV Sealer/Gasket maker. That stuff is waterproof, high temp, and is almost as strong holding as the black sealer used to hold headlights together, so I am hoping a nice bead of it all the way around the outside of the mesh will do the trick. I have already formed the mesh to the backside of the openings so it fits to it like a glove.
I'll get some more pics up tonight, including this new glue I found & used. It is thick like toothpaste, holds on contact, is water soluble prior to curing, and in my experience doubled almost like a putty...allowing me to fill in areas to sand smooth after drying. I used it to fill in the spots where I removed the verticle tabs from the bars.
Now I wish I wasn't @ work...I want to work on the ride!
Good luck with your grill!!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 03-20-2012
Posts: 292
From: Dallas, TX
Been hoping the weather would clear up, but no luck. It looks like I might catch a break in the next few days....hopefully.
Here is the glue I found. Planned on using it to secure my emblems, but after opening it, realized it would work better for something else. Used it to glue the scrap top on my grill emblem, and fill in some pit marks and cut marks from where I removed the verticle bars from the grill. It makes a great filler and is easily sandable when dry.
The gutter guard grills, finally got to throw some primer on them...now just gotta lay down some flat black!
Here is the glue I found. Planned on using it to secure my emblems, but after opening it, realized it would work better for something else. Used it to glue the scrap top on my grill emblem, and fill in some pit marks and cut marks from where I removed the verticle bars from the grill. It makes a great filler and is easily sandable when dry.
The gutter guard grills, finally got to throw some primer on them...now just gotta lay down some flat black!
Last edited by Slide_Rite; Apr 15, 2012 at 08:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 03-20-2012
Posts: 292
From: Dallas, TX
Had some beautiful weather lately, was able to get another step done. Decided to get some pics with the copper...was pretty close to leaving it that way. I like the look with the orange...but ultimately decided to proceed to the next step.
Here is the grill with a better view of the side cuts.
For those inquiring on how to hold the grill in place, this bar will do most of the work.
Emblem top turned out ok.
Just a pic to see how it looks with the copper parts.
Really like the copper with the black on orange.
Still thinking about removing the rear wiper.
Dirty, boring brake light...lol!
New improved info distributing brake light
And one more just for the heck of it...
Here is the grill with a better view of the side cuts.
For those inquiring on how to hold the grill in place, this bar will do most of the work.
Emblem top turned out ok.
Just a pic to see how it looks with the copper parts.
Really like the copper with the black on orange.
Still thinking about removing the rear wiper.
Dirty, boring brake light...lol!
New improved info distributing brake light
And one more just for the heck of it...
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2012
Posts: 1,430
From: Atlanta
The grill turned out great! I did mine this weekend and I have to say it's one of my favorite mods. I actually left the grill chrome, but I sanded it down with a fine sanding block and gave it a brushed look. I ended up do that to all the chrome on my wagon and was pretty pleased with the end result.
I think changing the bowtie to black was a smart move...I did the same. One suggestion...if you are set on keeping the copper on the grill and mirrors, check with your local dealership and have them order some rattlecan to match. The pictures make it really stand out that it's not a 100% paint match. Other than that, she's looking good!
I think changing the bowtie to black was a smart move...I did the same. One suggestion...if you are set on keeping the copper on the grill and mirrors, check with your local dealership and have them order some rattlecan to match. The pictures make it really stand out that it's not a 100% paint match. Other than that, she's looking good!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 03-20-2012
Posts: 292
From: Dallas, TX
The grill turned out great! I did mine this weekend and I have to say it's one of my favorite mods. I actually left the grill chrome, but I sanded it down with a fine sanding block and gave it a brushed look. I ended up do that to all the chrome on my wagon and was pretty pleased with the end result.
I think changing the bowtie to black was a smart move...I did the same. One suggestion...if you are set on keeping the copper on the grill and mirrors, check with your local dealership and have them order some rattlecan to match. The pictures make it really stand out that it's not a 100% paint match. Other than that, she's looking good!
I think changing the bowtie to black was a smart move...I did the same. One suggestion...if you are set on keeping the copper on the grill and mirrors, check with your local dealership and have them order some rattlecan to match. The pictures make it really stand out that it's not a 100% paint match. Other than that, she's looking good!
Probably throw the pieces back on for pics with them in black before I sand em down for the final step.
I actually wasn't trying to match the paint. I wanted to do something different, and no one I have seen is rockin copper accents. Also, thought this might give me a steampunk/rat rod kinda look...especially if the grill comes out like I envision it.
Last edited by Slide_Rite; Apr 23, 2012 at 02:52 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2012
Posts: 1,430
From: Atlanta
Steampunk look...ok. Wouldn't have thought of that, but hey, I think everyone's ride should be to their own taste. I definitely love the zombie third brake light. I'm a huge zombie geek myself...would have never thought to do that to mine. I say throw everything back on as black and lets see what it looks like. I thought about doing all mine black as well...ended up with just the mirror caps and gutter guard black...well and my bowties.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 03-20-2012
Posts: 292
From: Dallas, TX
I definitely love the zombie third brake light. I'm a huge zombie geek myself...would have never thought to do that to mine. I say throw everything back on as black and lets see what it looks like. I thought about doing all mine black as well...ended up with just the mirror caps and gutter guard black...well and my bowties.
I'll get it mocked up again with black parts and post up the shots when I do. I'm sure I will like it even more then...lol!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 03-20-2012
Posts: 292
From: Dallas, TX
So after some careful sanding I achieved the look I was going for. Unfortunately, it's a long slow process...so this all I've gotten done, haha! Pretty anxious to get it all finished and see how it looks.
Trying to sand off the black and leave just the copper is pretty tedious...
Trying to sand off the black and leave just the copper is pretty tedious...
Last edited by Slide_Rite; Apr 24, 2012 at 08:11 PM.
