Write-Up: Custom Chrome Grill

aight guys..ur wish is my command..ill get u a pic wit da hood closed 2morro lol

Takes my grill to a whole new level. I like it. Glad it worked out for you!

Well, I just got my 1/8 chrome noodle, and I went to town on the grill. Thanks Spacebar (and others) for this idea, it looks great. I saw the every other tooth design, and that looks great as well, but I did every tooth - I'm liking the look so far:


And now, what you've all been waiting for - my SWEET craptastic chrome accented airbox:


Here's what it looks like inside the car (as long as you don't drive it):


For those of you that want to flaunt this totally awesome mod, and can't live without a write-up, here you go:

What you need:
1. Leftover chrome strips
2. Scissors
3. Rubbing alcohol
4. Rag for rubbing alcohol
5. Right or left hand for using rag for rubbing alcohol
6. 10 minutes of free time
7. Bag for garbage can
8. Garbage can for peel-off red strips leftover chrome strips
9. Flathead screwdriver for airbox removal

What you need to do:

1. Remove the top of your stock airbox using the flathead screwdriver. (If you have a custom fenderwell or cold air intake, remove it and replace with a stock airbox before continuing with step 2).

2. Clean off the grooves of your airbox with a rubbing alcohol soaked rag. Make sure it is completely dry before continuing to step 3.

3. Carefully measure out and cut your chrome strips. You're going to need three equal-length strips for this job.

4. Peel the red backing off of your strip and apply it in the groove (repeat this step 3 times until they're all on there).

5. Throw away your red strips in that garbage can & bag combo we discussed earlier.

6. Re-install your airbox making sure not to spill paint thinner or any other solvent on to the strips - these chemicals will surely loosen the chrome right off the airbox.

7. Step back and marvel at the piece of art you've just created.

8. You might as well peel the chrome pieces off now, because they're going to peel away from the box the first time you drive it. Nice try, though.

Now, this is a great mod. Not just because of it's simplicity, but it also improves performance. The extra weight of the chrome strips over the front wheels will give you the added traction you're looking for, especially with that battery under the back seat. Also, after someone views your newly-appointed airbox, they might give you free money. It's that tasteful.

The K&N sticker STILL addz 75 RWHP w00t!!!!!!!11111111

xxsupergman25xx wrote:

[
driver door...
what do you think of that lining? im also thinkin of doin the notch ontop of that peice as well..

I actually thought the interior chrome piece accented the chrome door handles fairly well. I know I'm alone on this for the most part...

woot-woot! That's an awesome write up!
A mod like that will definately keep you on top of keeping the engine detailed.

i had mixed feelings on it Buapo. i liked it...but for me i just couldnt get it professional lookin enough to want to keep it..im also workin on a new innovative interior mod thats kinda the same idea as my chrome strippin there..but what it is the lil pinstripe tape. i havent gotten around to doin it cuz i had to do the grill over (huge Pain in the ass)..im gonna run it a long some of the edges to help bring more black into my interior...(you all know i love my two tone)

here u go...when i get a good couple hours to detail it to my liking ill get some high quality photos..right now ull have to deal with the treo quality camera. lol

oh...and i have not had any engine temp issues..and it was hot as hell yesterday...i got up to 80 mph and they all stayed...

i like..i was thinkin about doin sumthin with my thick 3/4 inch strippin in the engine..maybe sumthin to that supercharged cover..just not sure yet..

jax95riv wrote:

woot-woot! That's an awesome write up!
A mod like that will definately keep you on top of keeping the engine detailed.

Funny, my engine is actually clean as a whistle right now - that intake tube in the picture is the only thing with any real crud on it.

In all seriousness though, as far as these strips go, I don't think this is overdoing it. You guys with your aluminum fenderwells have a lot of flash in your engine bay, this just spices things up a little without falling into the "cheese" category.

Quote :

..maybe sumthin to that supercharged cover..just not sure yet..

Superman, that's not a bad idea. I don't have my cover on just now, but I can imagine if you put the 3/4 strips on those lines, and cut the ends angular to perfectly match the pattern, it could have a nice effect.

I'm sorry guys, but I just don't get a grille that looks kinda like the other Buick models, full size, Regal and the like. I think the floating Riviera "R" in the black background looks cool. The vertical chrome takes away from the width of the front of the car? I was thinking of putting some green neon string around the inside edge of the chrome in the grille for indirect green light.....

Very nice detail effect... These type of things add class if not over done........

Danger, danger!

I drove around for one day, and not that long, I might add. Checked on my box....

WHOOPS! The chrome strips have already peeled away from the box. Shazbot.

The myth of the chrome-accented airbox?

BUSTED.

thats why i didnt do the engine cover..i kinda thought the engine would heat the strips up to much and bloooppp..melt right off...

now u said sumthin about the grill being covered up 60% which may effect the engine temp....i did talk to spacebar and i plan to put a 180 thermostat in..but my question is...look at the aurora...im using it cuz its similar in engine..look at the "grill"...it doesnt have one really...im sure theres other cars out there the same style such as a cavilier..that dont really have grills...so why does it matter if ours are covered up even up to 80%?

Buapo wrote:

Danger, danger!

I drove around for one day, and not that long, I might add. Checked on my box....

WHOOPS! The chrome strips have already peeled away from the box. Shazbot.

The myth of the chrome-accented airbox?

BUSTED.

Hah it was worth a shot eh?

jimmyriv wrote:

I'm sorry guys, but I just don't get a grille that looks kinda like the other Buick models, full size, Regal and the like. I think the floating Riviera "R" in the black background looks cool. ..........

I'm with Jimmy on this one. While it DOES look like a job well done, I personally have no desire to change the unique styling of my Riviera's grille. I may repaint it black so it looks new again, but that's it. Not criticizing, just offering an opinion.

Looks good Scotty, you made it your own and did it very tastefully.

I like it, very 50's style like the Chrome age of Buick

Harley Earl would get a kick out of it, even would ask to drive it if you'd let'm

Looks like he newer Lincolns.

yeah i saw a towncar the other day and a milan..it does look like a lincoln

1998 Riv wrote:

jimmyriv wrote:

I'm sorry guys, but I just don't get a grille that looks kinda like the other Buick models, full size, Regal and the like. I think the floating Riviera "R" in the black background looks cool. ..........

I'm with Jimmy on this one. While it DOES look like a job well done, I personally have no desire to change the unique styling of my Riviera's grille. I may repaint it black so it looks new again, but that's it. Not criticizing, just offering an opinion.

You did a very good job on it.

SpaceBar wrote:

Hah it was worth a shot eh?

Yeah, I guess... I altered the write-up to reflect the new changes.

Ok after owning my Riv for nearly two years now, I have finally decided to stray away from stock and have begun the first in a series of exterior mods. Starting off with my grille, I have decided to go the chrome route with the slats...but rather that doing it vertical and chroming each slat...I went horizontal and created an almost chrome billet look for the grille. I used a roll of chrome body side chrome trim with 3M backing. Cleaning the grille to ensure it would stick good. I ran a strip across the width of the grille bellow the R, then did the same above the R....finally adding two strips on either side of the R to finish out the look. I may have to adjust the spacing alitte...but overall it looks sweet. Next I had bought a set of Navigator driving lights which are glossy black and feature a blue lens for the HID look. They are shaped like the grille and the R oval...I'm mounting these in the grille, I have already drilled the holes in the top of the grille to conceal the mounting location. Now it''s back out to the driveway to mount them and wire them in. I got a billet toggle switch with an internal green LED light to blend in with the green interior lighting. I'm still looking for a good location for the switch, I have a pre-drilled hole in the dash panel above the headlight switch which used to house the red light for the alarm systm. I'm thinking I may open that hole up a little more and install the switch there. Pics to come once its all complete.

if u want a real billet grille its very easy to do, just messure the grille, and then buy a grille for a 86 GMC or chevy and cut out your grille. thats what im going to do its sound like some good projects