Pete's GS400 Build Thread
#363
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ha, thanks. the orbital is actually pretty easy to use compared to your average buffer. as it wont really leave any swirls or burn too fast etc.. I probably use that thing once every 2 weeks on random projects i have. i love it. and congrats on your GS4. you are going to fall in love with that car.
#364
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Project: Mesh Grille
So, i wanted a mesh grille. But not the one that costs like $200. You know me, Mr. Budget. So i found one for like $79 that looks like the TRD one. Remember, if you skimp on the money, you get what you pay for![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Came pretty fast considering it came from Japan.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g267.jpg)
show you difference
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g268.jpg)
location of hood pull Tab is smaller and needs to be drilled out correctly
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g269.jpg)
The mounting tabs and screws it comes with are garbage and dont line up at all.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g270.jpg)
made a paper template off the old one
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g271.jpg)
you will need to cut these tabs off with a dremel or grinder to flush the lower part of the grille
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g272.jpg)
test fit. looks good. let's paint!
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g273.jpg)
I painted the backside of it first to ensure the mesh angles dont show or reflect the metal / silver
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g274.jpg)
preppin' a new "endless" emblem.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g275.jpg)
couple coats of black primer
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g276.jpg)
i use generic auto store black enamel for my first coats so i am not wasting the more expensive and harder to get Black Onyx. So, couple coats of black enamel.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g277.jpg)
Now the Black Onyx is laid
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g278.jpg)
3 coats of Clear.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g279.jpg)
A lot of people have complained about seeing through the mesh and seeing the angled core supports behind the grille. Member "VVT-i" in the forum swapped the grille mesh with gutter guard. So i got some from the hardware store for like $4.99. I am going to double mesh it though as the gutter guard is very lightweight plastic. That will ensure a dark full mesh i think![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g280.jpg)
Measured and cut new mesh. Then zip tied the outer most edges from the backside nice and snug
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g281.jpg)
Installed!
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g282.jpg)
One more view
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g283.jpg)
I'll probably get used to this, wait for the paint to cure, wetsand, buff and then throw the emblem on.
So, i wanted a mesh grille. But not the one that costs like $200. You know me, Mr. Budget. So i found one for like $79 that looks like the TRD one. Remember, if you skimp on the money, you get what you pay for
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Came pretty fast considering it came from Japan.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g267.jpg)
show you difference
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g268.jpg)
location of hood pull Tab is smaller and needs to be drilled out correctly
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g269.jpg)
The mounting tabs and screws it comes with are garbage and dont line up at all.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g270.jpg)
made a paper template off the old one
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g271.jpg)
you will need to cut these tabs off with a dremel or grinder to flush the lower part of the grille
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g272.jpg)
test fit. looks good. let's paint!
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g273.jpg)
I painted the backside of it first to ensure the mesh angles dont show or reflect the metal / silver
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g274.jpg)
preppin' a new "endless" emblem.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g275.jpg)
couple coats of black primer
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g276.jpg)
i use generic auto store black enamel for my first coats so i am not wasting the more expensive and harder to get Black Onyx. So, couple coats of black enamel.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g277.jpg)
Now the Black Onyx is laid
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g278.jpg)
3 coats of Clear.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g279.jpg)
A lot of people have complained about seeing through the mesh and seeing the angled core supports behind the grille. Member "VVT-i" in the forum swapped the grille mesh with gutter guard. So i got some from the hardware store for like $4.99. I am going to double mesh it though as the gutter guard is very lightweight plastic. That will ensure a dark full mesh i think
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g280.jpg)
Measured and cut new mesh. Then zip tied the outer most edges from the backside nice and snug
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g281.jpg)
Installed!
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g282.jpg)
One more view
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g283.jpg)
I'll probably get used to this, wait for the paint to cure, wetsand, buff and then throw the emblem on.
Last edited by Sevenevez; 08-26-13 at 08:03 PM. Reason: giving credit where credit is due to member VVTi
#370
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
eBay. Be prepared to do a grip of modding to get her to fit though
Here's a link. I think this is the same one i got - http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-98-05-GS300-GS430-V300-ARISTO-SPORT-BADGELESS-FRONT-BUMPER-MESH-GRILLE-/251321409068?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AGS400&hash=item3a83ec5e2c&vxp=mtr
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#375
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
had a chance to get my emblem on and made the grille a little more sturdy.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g286.jpg)
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g284.jpg)
sorry if things are slowing down on my build. think i only got about 3 more things i want to do to her cosmetically ( i think ) haha. i got another project i been focusing on. always regretted the last truck i did that i sold. working on another one now.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g286.jpg)
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g284.jpg)
sorry if things are slowing down on my build. think i only got about 3 more things i want to do to her cosmetically ( i think ) haha. i got another project i been focusing on. always regretted the last truck i did that i sold. working on another one now.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g285.jpg)