Stealth (Invisible) Grill Block

[brucey]

Well, while I'm still working on the smooth clear wheels, I have the lexan laying around. I haven't found a good way to cut a perfect circle 18.5" wide just yet. But, I have found that tin snips work excellent for cutting (roughly) straight lines. So here it is:





I took multiple pictures, and these are the two where it's most visible.

You can also see the block heater plug hanging down beneath the bumper. Might relocate it.

It's 1/4" thick and covering the entire bottom half of the grill. I know the top grill is usually whats recommended, but with this car the fan seemed to run too much while I blocked it.

Just need to round the edges a bit to match up with the curve of the bumper, as right now it sticks out slightly. Probably the only thing obvious in this picture is I wiped the salt off the front bumper before I installed the block itself.

[XYZ]

How did you attach it?

1/4" lexan is quite thick a material to use, and not very flexible. I suggest that you try aluminum trim coil, used for trim in siding on houses. It's very easy to cut with snips and it will bend for contours in a grille. It weighs almost nothing, and it won't rust. It's excellent for fabricating belly pans, too.

If you want it to be invisible, simply spray paint it black.

[brucey]

Hardly visible, but 24" zip ties hold it to the factory grill.

I was considering U bolts with wing nuts for a long term solution, but going to try to get the corners molded correctly first. (Will post pictures tomorrow.)

[nemo]

Nice job! The tire look pretty wide might benifit from some air deflection.

[Superfuelgero]

Use a band saw.
Drill a hole in the center, Place a dowel in said hole into a board. Clamp board to table so it is 18.5"/2 (9.25") away from saw blade. Rotate the lexan with blade running. Can be done without a hole being drilled by use of adhesive, but might become unstable.

[poomanchu]

Looks fantastic I really like this! I might try to do the same with plexiglass as I can't afford the Lexan

Originally Posted by XYZ

How did you attach it?

1/4" lexan is quite thick a material to use, and not very flexible. I suggest that you try aluminum trim coil, used for trim in siding on houses. It's very easy to cut with snips and it will bend for contours in a grille. It weighs almost nothing, and it won't rust. It's excellent for fabricating belly pans, too.

If you want it to be invisible, simply spray paint it black.

Or the OP can just use what is being shown, without resorting to using house siding that flaps in the wind as it is already cut and mounted? I don't know, I always thought clear is a bit more invisible than an opaque coating

[brucey]

I got a good deal on some blemished lexan. The glue doesn't adhere properly so taking the protective coating off is a pain, but as you can see it looks fine once you DO get the coating/paper off. Plus I developed a new technique of removing.

It was actually about the same price as plexiglass. I wonder if the seller still has it available. Will check into it.

Here is a daylight picture, lot more obvious since the reflection doesn't match. Is there such a thing as matte reflective lexan?

[XYZ]

Originally Posted by poomanchu

Or the OP can just use what is being shown, without resorting to using house siding that flaps in the wind as it is already cut and mounted? I don't know, I always thought clear is a bit more invisible than an opaque coating

If you fasten it properly, sheet aluminum won't "flap in the wind" any more than any other material might. Considering that a radiator is basically black, and that most grilles are either chrome or black, you won't notice a grille block that is black.

[LeanBurn]

Here is a pic of a Cruze diesel with factory grill blocking: 2014 Photo Gallery

...very interesting how this is making its way into main stream quietly.

[brucey]

Worked on it a bit now that the weather is nicer. Sets a lot more flush since it's actually inside the grill now.

Now to finally get around to those wheel covers.