Alternative to Grill Insert

**KahanaReef** · 05-14-2009, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by levityinc3

Not done yet hahaha. Rain is postponing everything. Plus last weekend I met up with JoshieDoom and I felt awkward going there without my insert; I felt naked. So I put it in without the final touch.

Did you order those inserts?

And, I envy you your rain. Sure could use some out here!

**levityinc3** · 05-14-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by mild2wild

Well... Get yer naked AZZ back to work and finish it!

Gahhh. It's coming god dammit.

Originally Posted by KahanaReef

Did you order those inserts?

And, I envy you your rain. Sure could use some out here!

Not yet, but I'm going to.

**levityinc3** · 05-14-2009, 05:13 PM

Had a little photoshoot. It's not done yet; I've still got to order the red inserts for the CAMARO part. The low resolution camera phone pictures don't do the shininess justice. You can't see the holes that were drilled into it from the license plate bracket, and it's a lot glossier, so I think I did a pretty good job.

After my first go. I did a shitty shitty job.

Almost done.

**KahanaReef** · 05-14-2009, 05:17 PM

You did great!

**levityinc3** · 05-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by KahanaReef

You did great!

Thanks Dena! I may take it out again and give it a real fine sand. Probably 2000 grit, wet. And then spray some more to make it glossier. I was just sick of that holey sun-faded matte gray/black.

**KahanaReef** · 05-14-2009, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by levityinc3

Thanks Dena! I may take it out again and give it a real fine sand. Probably 2000 grit, wet. And then spray some more to make it glossier. I was just sick of that holey sun-faded matte gray/black.

I think that would be good. I know you wanted a bit more shine to it.

But, you really did do a good patch job on it

**mild2wild** · 05-14-2009, 07:06 PM

You did a hell of a job, looks great!

**levityinc3** · 05-14-2009, 10:51 PM

For those that don't want to buy a new insert, and either want to repair their stock insert from bracket damage, or just want it to look better, this is for you.

Remove the insert. Plastic clip-ins on the sides and bottom, and plastic bolt things on the top three. It will look like this without it.

After that, wash the stock insert. Then fill the holes with either bondo, or plastic repair caulk. I used plastic repair caulk, and it was runny, sort of messy, but worked beautifully. Tape the back of the holes, and fill.

Then sand it. When they molded the piece they had it texturized so that it has that rough feel/look. I wanted a smooth, glossy texture. I started with 120 grit, and had a drill attachment which helped speed it up. From 120 I went to about 220, or finer if you want. The sand paper will tear it up pretty good, but don't worry. Should look like this when you get the shit off.

After that then sand a lot more. Once you feel that it is smooth, then use glazing putty and a spreader to fill in any other pits or holes that you either created or missed. Let it dry, then sand some more with fine sandpaper. I used 2000 grit, and it got smooooooth. It will look like this. As you can see I didn't put it in the slotted parts. I didn't really sand their either, looks pretty cool.

After it's real smooth, then spray with primer. Then sand with more 2000 grit, then put on another coat. Then sand again.

After it's nice and primed and smooth, then you're ready for paint. I did mine black, but seeing another color would be pretty sweet.

After drying, you can either paint the inside of the CAMARO, or you can buy inserts for it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camar...RCHQ3aUSQ3a105

Mine is without inserts currently.

**c5z28** · 05-14-2009, 10:57 PM

looks good-sticky worthy?

**levityinc3** · 05-14-2009, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by c5z28

looks good-sticky worthy?

Hm, dunno. Not sure if there's any demand for it.

**mild2wild** · 05-15-2009, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by levityinc3

Hm, dunno. Not sure if there's any demand for it.

I would say hell yeah! Not everyone has the $$ for a new SLP or CF nose piece (grille) and this is an excellent way to save money and make that piece POP again.

It's HOTNESS thats worth STICKINESS!

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-15-2009, 05:57 PM

The idea is worthy of a sticky, but I would prefer you start a new thread with all the technical info and then I can sticky that.

**KahanaReef** · 05-15-2009, 06:04 PM

Hey... your first sticky

**mild2wild** · 05-15-2009, 06:13 PM

**mammoth713** · 07-15-2009, 11:47 AM

about the Styrofoam.... has anyone figured out a mod to cut it out and make some kind of ram air or something? cuz it seems like that would be good use of the 2 big holes in front... hahaha

**chuckie669** · 07-15-2009, 07:10 PM

How long do you have to wait between primer'ing and sanding? I've never learned myself. Then after you sand, do you rub back down with rubbing alcohol or something else before re-primering?

Thanks, I'm a paint noob.

**levityinc3** · 07-15-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by chuckie669

How long do you have to wait between primer'ing and sanding? I've never learned myself. Then after you sand, do you rub back down with rubbing alcohol or something else before re-primering?

Thanks, I'm a paint noob.

A couple hours will do yah. And yeah it couldn't hurt to rub it down after you sand. I would use acetone however, and maybe some tack cloth. You might not even need the primer, I just did it because I had some. Good luck, let me know how it turns out.

**GMPPDEALER** · 07-18-2009, 11:53 AM

how do you get to the 3 nuts on the back of that front molding? the peice that you painted.

**KING Z28 HAWK** · 07-20-2009, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by GMPPDEALER

how do you get to the 3 nuts on the back of that front molding? the peice that you painted.

you can do it the "right" way and take the bumper off or you can do it the quick way…. Pop the little clips on the sides out and the 3 on the bottom then grab hold of the grill and keep yanking and pulling till it pops off. Might sound and seem like you are ripping the whole front end off but you wont.