Snorkel Grill Mesh Install

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Snorkel Grill Mesh Install

Reviews	Views	Date of last review
3	18372	Fri January 4, 2008

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	None indicated	7.0

supersize

Description:

I wanted the best looking mesh possible for this which meant going beyond the usual hardware store stuff for gutters. The widest variety of decorative mesh is available from McNichols at this URL. http://www.mcnichols.com/products/expanded/lancet/.
They have specialized expanded and perforated decorative meshes. One of the best looking, Lancet 366R-18, also has the highest air pass-through rate of all the decorative metal meshes at 66%. The bad news is that it doesn’t come in aluminum and a minimum purchase is a 4’x8’ sheet at $100 plus shipping (32ft2 of this stuff is real heavy). It’s also coated with oil to prevent rust so it has to be cleaned with solvent and painted before installation.

Step one is to remove the grill which is covered very well in two articles from K-Man S. There are four attachment points, make sure you get them all unlatched before you start pulling it off.

While the backing is still attached use the external grill as a guide to scribe the outlines of the three bottom holes to be cut out of the backing.

The external grill and the black plastic backing can be separated easily, just look for the molded catches that attach the pieces together and carefully pry the pieces apart laterally at each catch point with a screwdriver until the catch lets go. You can see the scribe marks for the three holes at the small end of the backing.

Detail of the scribed marks, pardon the out of focus

Cut out the holes with whatever tools are appropriate. I drilled access holes and used an open ended coping saw and files. It will make a big difference if you can rig something to hold the piece as ridged as possible.

Use the backing piece to trace it’s shape onto something ridged that you can cut to shape for a pattern. A solid piece of cardboard is better than corrugated cardboard, 1/8” plywood is even better. You will need to use clamps to squeeze the pattern and the mesh together to keep them from slipping when you cut the mesh to shape. Orientation is critical with the mesh I used so make sure the pattern is aligned with the mesh at the correct angle to make the mesh appear like you want when it is installed. Cut out the mesh flush with the pattern perimeter, unclamp it and lightly pound any twisted edges flat.

The mesh I used is dull grey steel and came coated with oil so it had to be cleaned and painted before installation. If you use aluminum mesh I would still recommend a coat of paint to avoid oxidation which will start to show up after several months. If you want to match the color of your car you will have to use an airbrush or equivalent method that can utilize the small amount of paint needed. Go to http://www.expresspaint.com/ and order a small bottle of matching paint, solvent and clear coat. The picture below shows the mesh after a cleaning with solvent (lighter fluid) Arctic Silver paint and clear coat. You can see here why orientation of the pattern to the mesh is important.

I used very small 3/32 dia X 5/16 long aluminum pop rivets to attach the mesh to the backing piece. Don’t bother trying to find them in a store. Google pop rivets to find a specialty vendor and order them directly along with washers if available. With normal size pop rivets there is a danger of splitting the plastic cross struts. I had to make washers from the heads of galvanized roofing nails to prevent the rivets from pulling through the plastic.

Washers have to be used on both sides of the riveted assembly

If tiny rivets can’t be had use black nylon cable ties to strap the mesh to the support piece. Make sure the ties are not to close to the points where the grill and the support piece snap together or the ties will hold them apart. Final assembly looks like this.

Push the assembled grill back into the car. Make sure you push hard enough at each attachment point to hear a distinct snap as the support piece locking tab pops down over the body mounted stud. You're done!! Prepare for compliments from those who recognize your good work.

Keywords:

snorkle mesh grill de-snork


	BJ Site Donor		Posts: 163 Registered: November 2005 Location: California see this user's products

Author

G10ket
Porsche Person

Registered: August 2007
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 8

Review Date: Wed August 15, 2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 7

Pros:
Cons:
Have you installed this Product or Mod?:

Excellent job. Would be good to see a full side shot of the car before and after to appreciate the full effect effect.

Click here to Send this user a Private Message

mcampuzano
PCA Member

Registered: November 2005
Posts: 1

Review Date: Sat September 8, 2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 0

Pros:
Cons:
Have you installed this Product or Mod?:

Great work!
You can find a better mesh (higher flow rate) here:

http://www.mnpctech.com/moddersmeshH.html

PercivalKnight
Porsche Person

Registered: November 2007
Location: New jersey
Posts: 7

Review Date: Fri January 4, 2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 0

Pros:
Cons:
Have you installed this Product or Mod?:

Hi BJ,

im wondering if you have remaining mesh left out of your 32X2 you bought for $100.

are you willing to sell me half of it for $50( that will be 16' by 2 ' ) ? and just ship it by std US postal slow mail and ill pay you the shipping.

thanks.

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