Anyone install mesh grilles on XK8?
#21
Install Mesh Grill XK8
Following my bourbon enhanced post last evening, I went to Home Despot and found springs that I believe would work. You get 4 for $4.00+tax. an you would have to purchase about 16-20 springs @$1 each. I found same thing on HarborFreight.com (200 zinc plated spring assortment) for $4.50+shipping. I have ordered them. The size needed would appear to be 1-1/2 inches of spring with curved 'hook' on both ends. I imagine I will fashion a little device to pull them through the mesh and then release. That should be it. And, yes, I will take and post before and after pictures when I'm done.
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Wow, that's a lot of work just to install a mesh grille.
Last edited by bakntyme; 01-12-2015 at 11:47 PM.
#26
Install mesh grill without screws and clips
I got the grill "fitted", Blokes. Using a dozen or so springs I secured the top and bottom of each of the three pieces to whatever non-moving flat I could find. It looks good and feels very tight. In hindsight, I would spray paint the chrome cross member flat black, then install. My tools were: coat hanger to snag loop on springs, parrot nose pliers to cut spring loops, hemostat to lock onto springs and pull to either grill or flat spot. That's it. I have photos...now to figure out how to post for your viewing pleasure.
Last edited by brantman; 01-13-2015 at 07:56 PM. Reason: delete unnecessary sentence.
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Gus (01-13-2015)
#27
I got the grill "fitted", Blokes. Using a dozen or so springs I secured the top and bottom of each of the three pieces to whatever non-moving flat I could find. It looks good and feels very tight. In hindsight, I would spray paint the chrome cross member flat black, then install. My tools were: coat hanger to snag loop on springs, parrot nose pliers to cut spring loops, hemostat to lock onto springs and pull to either grill or flat spot. That's it. I have photos...now to figure out how to post for your viewing pleasure.
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brantman (01-23-2015)
#28
Looks good but I think you would be even happier if you had taken off the splitter. It's meant to sit back much further. And actually, you could have mounted to the black bumper bar behind the chrome splitter once removed, with two black screws in each panel. They totally disappear if black against the black bumper bar. I think I may have used a few back spacers to push out just a bit but I eventually used the full mesh and even removed the over riders.
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I'm in the process of installing a flat black grille from Mina Gallery, which I probably wouldn't have attempted without reading some threads on the subject in this forum. I have the nose off, as well as the splitter and the outrigger covers, now just need to remove the two center outriggers. The grille will be recessed (not flush) with the opening in the nose, and I have a strake/splitter from the 2006 XK8 installed on it. Hoping it will pay homage to the original E-type front end, which I've always loved.
I'll post pictures when I'm finished.
I'll post pictures when I'm finished.
#35
#36
Installing a mesh grille
I thought I’d follow up with some pictures of the end result of my grille replacement project. My original intent was to attempt to have my 2000 XK8 pay homage to the original E-Type nose. After some suggestions from others on the forum (thank you all), I contacted Mina Gallery and discussed with them how best to proceed. They suggested a black mesh grille with a strake from (I believe) a 2007 model which they were able to provide.. The project which, seemed simple from the outset, took longer than I estimated due in no small part to my working in a poorly-heated garage during the worst winter in years. While it’s not as close to the original E-Type design as I would have liked (see attached file), at least the black “fangs” are gone. Many thanks to Chris at Mina Gallery, who patiently answered numerous questions and offered suggestions when I got stuck (which was more often than I care to admit).
I’ve also attached a picture of the round circle on the nose where I removed the original medallion. My plan was to fill in the mounting holes with Bondo, sand the area smooth, and use my Dr. Color Chip kit to blend in the paint. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on how much the paint had faded over the last 15 years, and I now have a clearly darker circle to deal with, which limits my options to either having the entire nose professionally painted, or finding a medallion or badge that will cover the circle and while maintaining the front styling aesthetic. If anyone can offer any suggestions as to how this can be addressed easily and not too expensively, I would be very grateful.
Max
I’ve also attached a picture of the round circle on the nose where I removed the original medallion. My plan was to fill in the mounting holes with Bondo, sand the area smooth, and use my Dr. Color Chip kit to blend in the paint. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on how much the paint had faded over the last 15 years, and I now have a clearly darker circle to deal with, which limits my options to either having the entire nose professionally painted, or finding a medallion or badge that will cover the circle and while maintaining the front styling aesthetic. If anyone can offer any suggestions as to how this can be addressed easily and not too expensively, I would be very grateful.
Max
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I thought I’d follow up with some pictures of the end result of my grille replacement project. My original intent was to attempt to have my 2000 XK8 pay homage to the original E-Type nose. After some suggestions from others on the forum (thank you all), I contacted Mina Gallery and discussed with them how best to proceed. They suggested a black mesh grille with a strake from (I believe) a 2007 model which they were able to provide.. The project which, seemed simple from the outset, took longer than I estimated due in no small part to my working in a poorly-heated garage during the worst winter in years. While it’s not as close to the original E-Type design as I would have liked (see attached file), at least the black “fangs” are gone. Many thanks to Chris at Mina Gallery, who patiently answered numerous questions and offered suggestions when I got stuck (which was more often than I care to admit).
I’ve also attached a picture of the round circle on the nose where I removed the original medallion. My plan was to fill in the mounting holes with Bondo, sand the area smooth, and use my Dr. Color Chip kit to blend in the paint. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on how much the paint had faded over the last 15 years, and I now have a clearly darker circle to deal with, which limits my options to either having the entire nose professionally painted, or finding a medallion or badge that will cover the circle and while maintaining the front styling aesthetic. If anyone can offer any suggestions as to how this can be addressed easily and not too expensively, I would be very grateful.
Max
I’ve also attached a picture of the round circle on the nose where I removed the original medallion. My plan was to fill in the mounting holes with Bondo, sand the area smooth, and use my Dr. Color Chip kit to blend in the paint. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on how much the paint had faded over the last 15 years, and I now have a clearly darker circle to deal with, which limits my options to either having the entire nose professionally painted, or finding a medallion or badge that will cover the circle and while maintaining the front styling aesthetic. If anyone can offer any suggestions as to how this can be addressed easily and not too expensively, I would be very grateful.
Max
If I were you I think that the first thing that I would try is something like this
Last edited by Kevin D; 03-09-2015 at 12:46 AM.
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max224 (03-09-2015)
#40
I thought I’d follow up with some pictures of the end result of my grille replacement project. My original intent was to attempt to have my 2000 XK8 pay homage to the original E-Type nose. After some suggestions from others on the forum (thank you all), I contacted Mina Gallery and discussed with them how best to proceed. They suggested a black mesh grille with a strake from (I believe) a 2007 model which they were able to provide.. The project which, seemed simple from the outset, took longer than I estimated due in no small part to my working in a poorly-heated garage during the worst winter in years. While it’s not as close to the original E-Type design as I would have liked (see attached file), at least the black “fangs” are gone. Many thanks to Chris at Mina Gallery, who patiently answered numerous questions and offered suggestions when I got stuck (which was more often than I care to admit).
I’ve also attached a picture of the round circle on the nose where I removed the original medallion. My plan was to fill in the mounting holes with Bondo, sand the area smooth, and use my Dr. Color Chip kit to blend in the paint. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on how much the paint had faded over the last 15 years, and I now have a clearly darker circle to deal with, which limits my options to either having the entire nose professionally painted, or finding a medallion or badge that will cover the circle and while maintaining the front styling aesthetic. If anyone can offer any suggestions as to how this can be addressed easily and not too expensively, I would be very grateful.
Max
I’ve also attached a picture of the round circle on the nose where I removed the original medallion. My plan was to fill in the mounting holes with Bondo, sand the area smooth, and use my Dr. Color Chip kit to blend in the paint. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on how much the paint had faded over the last 15 years, and I now have a clearly darker circle to deal with, which limits my options to either having the entire nose professionally painted, or finding a medallion or badge that will cover the circle and while maintaining the front styling aesthetic. If anyone can offer any suggestions as to how this can be addressed easily and not too expensively, I would be very grateful.
Max
You won't be happy with a second badge. I tried the same thing and bought one of the winged jaguar badges. It covered holes but the faded paint and the faint circle left from the badge always showed. I think I paid about 150 to have the nose painted.