GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

DIY Aristo Grille

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Old 04-03-11, 02:43 AM
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Redline26
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Default DIY Aristo Grille

I know this mod has been done numerous times before, but this is my first official write up. So please try to sit back and enjoy =]

My name is Paul and I have a 1999 GS300 with about 108,000 mi. I purchased this car back in the Fall of 2010 and I've been cruisin around it in philly since then, working and waiting for grad school to start. I don't plan on goin too crazy with anything (front lips/bumpers) cuz the streets are ***, but I'm doing what I can. This is a daily driver for me so I'm trying my best to keep it in good shape.

First off I would like to thank VVT-i for this idea.. you can catch his thread here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-new-mesh.html

I wanted something different than the stock 99 grille, which I had painted all black. So I did some research online and purchased a LEXUS 98-05 GS300 ARISTO SPORT FRONT MESH GRILL GRILLE from this ebay seller: http://stores.ebay.com/racing-raven-store
Not a bad deal for about $65.

Next I purchased P42 spray paint from LLC paint company and I picked up a bottle of primer and clear coat from an Autozone down the street.

Lastly, I picked up a Lexus emblem from ebay for like $5 with 3M backing. Pretty good deal.

This is the original grille:



Last edited by Redline26; 04-03-11 at 03:01 AM.
Old 04-03-11, 02:46 AM
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I detached the mesh from the outside grille, which was connected by little metal fasteners. The reason why I chose to use the white primer is b/c the 4p2 paint was a little darker than my faded 99 GS. Here is a pic of the outside grille with the primer:
Attached Thumbnails DIY Aristo Grille-grille1.jpg  

Last edited by Redline26; 04-03-11 at 02:57 AM.
Old 04-03-11, 02:47 AM
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Then I spray painted a light coat of the 4p2 paint. This was probably the most difficult part because I had to make sure the paint was even. I had to redo this step twice, but here it is (bad picture):
Attached Thumbnails DIY Aristo Grille-grille2.jpg  
Old 04-03-11, 02:49 AM
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Here's the grille put together. You can see the stock 99 black grille to the left of it:
Attached Thumbnails DIY Aristo Grille-grille3.jpg  
Old 04-03-11, 02:50 AM
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The mesh holes that came with this grille were small, so unlike VVT-i, I did not have to replace it. Also, I did not want to keep the mesh silver, so I spray painted it black followed by several coats of gloss.


Here is the FINISHED PRODUCT:




Attached Thumbnails DIY Aristo Grille-hid1.jpg   DIY Aristo Grille-hid.jpg  

Last edited by Redline26; 04-03-11 at 02:59 AM.
Old 04-03-11, 03:04 AM
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My next MOD is a set of new wheels and tires just for the spring/summer. I am leaning towards 18" ADR Rydox:


I'm workin with a budget here...thoughts?
Old 04-03-11, 08:18 AM
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AshburnM3
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Looking good!
Old 04-03-11, 09:45 AM
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YviE
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Not bad at all!!!
Old 04-03-11, 10:06 AM
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ThomasGS4
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Great job!
Old 04-03-11, 10:47 AM
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BlackoutGS
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The grill really turned out nice. I like it a lot.
Old 04-03-11, 11:20 AM
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did the paint have a brand name? i have the same grill/color car and would like to repaint it myself.
Old 04-03-11, 11:43 AM
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charris
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Looks great. Good write up
Old 04-03-11, 05:13 PM
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Redline26
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Appreciate it fellas...btw the website I got the paint at is in this link:

http://www.touchuppaint.org/Lexus/Gs300
Old 04-03-11, 05:29 PM
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Great DIY, this might come in handy one day for me.
Old 04-03-11, 08:54 PM
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5t341th
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looks good. altho jdm aristo's have the same grill as the USDM gs
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