GTS Grill Refurb

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
There have been a number of refurbs posted on here where the owners has prepped primed and painted the finished item but I wonder just how hard wearing that will be and how longer before road rash takes over.
We'll have to see... but I can't say I'm driving my QP much these days!

I haven't lacquered my grille (@Gazcw ;))... deliberately to avoid a glossy look, and if it gets road rash or whatever, it's simply a wipe down and another coat of satin black from a rattle can...
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,511
I wonder about PlastiDip rubberised paint and if that would work well. It’s a satin finish and my son had it on the lower edge of his front bumper and it never seemed to chip.
it does say you can peel it off, but I imagine that being a real pain.
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
The advantage of plasti-dip is that you can recoat it without removing the original layer. So it is fairly easy to repair chips every now and then.

Removal isn't that bad, on flat parts its easy enough.
 

BillyBob

Member
Messages
107
Right - any hints and tips on how to re-fit the grille?

I've bought a new one - very quick process - and it's proving a bit of a bugger to fit. The tabs on the bumper that the grille bolts to are quite flexible and I've been unable to get a single lower bolt to bite. The rubber bit gets in the way too. It looks like it might be quicker and easier to take the bumper off.
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,511
The advantage of plasti-dip is that you can recoat it without removing the original layer. So it is fairly easy to repair chips every now and then.

Removal isn't that bad, on flat parts its easy enough.
And it has to be much more forgiving that black rattlecan over grey primer.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Right - any hints and tips on how to re-fit the grille?

I've bought a new one - very quick process - and it's proving a bit of a bugger to fit. The tabs on the bumper that the grille bolts to are quite flexible and I've been unable to get a single lower bolt to bite. The rubber bit gets in the way too. It looks like it might be quicker and easier to take the bumper off.

When I did it I put the rubber in afterwards as it was a pain to get the screws in with it there.
 

Dman666

Member
Messages
1,156
Before and after
 

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BDM

Member
Messages
168
Quick question, i tried this and cant figure out how to disconnect the front parking sensors from the grille? Any tips here?
 

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
Quick question, i tried this and cant figure out how to disconnect the front parking sensors from the grille? Any tips here?
If it's the same as the grill in the QP, push the sensors themselves inward towards the centre of the car, enabling you to remove the grill clear from the car... leaving the sensors dangling on their cable looms. The sensors have little lugs, so at the very worst you'll need to gently pry the parking sensor plastic housings apart at the back to encourage the seniors themselves to come loose as you push them inward.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
If it's the same as the grill in the QP, push the sensors themselves inward towards the centre of the car, enabling you to remove the grill clear from the car... leaving the sensors dangling on their cable looms. The sensors have little lugs, so at the very worst you'll need to gently pry the parking sensor plastic housings apart at the back to encourage the seniors themselves to come loose as you push them inward.
I unscrewed the small screws of the holder and removed the whole thing off of the grill so I didn't snap any brittle plastic.
 

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
I unscrewed the small screws of the holder and removed the whole thing off of the grill so I didn't snap any brittle plastic.
Good point... but I don't think you can unscrew the parking sensor mounts (holder) until the grill is actually off the car - given the small screws you describe are accessed from the rear of the grill?
 

BDM

Member
Messages
168
Good point... but I don't think you can unscrew the parking sensor mounts (holder) until the grill is actually off the car - given the small screws you describe are accessed from the rear of the grill?

yeh i didnt see any screws for them?
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
Good point... but I don't think you can unscrew the parking sensor mounts (holder) until the grill is actually off the car - given the small screws you describe are accessed from the rear of the grill?
Correct on th QP anyway. Hand through grill and used screwdriver bit in a small ratchet. That was on the chrome grill also thinking about it so a bit more space.
 

BDM

Member
Messages
168
So ive tried pushing the camera through and feels like im going to break it :-S any tips or just brute force? Tried getting a small screwdriver behind to undo the screws but 1 i cant see much so probably destroying the thread but 2 they seem pretty tightly on.
 

BDM

Member
Messages
168
SOLVED for a GTS. Documenting for others so you have a reference. Don't push the camera or look for clips at the side. Once you take the screws off the grill you will see the camera connection. Get a small flat head screwdriver in and push the clip shown below forward towards the rectangle notch and pull the top of the camera off. Thanks all.

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