Write-Up: Custom Chrome Grill

I've thought about that, but I prefer this method for two reasons. One being that if I ever want to go vertical and do each slat, I can do that without having to buy a new grille, and two I can always go back to stock in a jiffy with just removing the chrome. As far as the finished product goes, the chrome is done and in place and the driving lights are mounted in the grille and wired. The toggle switch is mounted right above the headlight switch. The grille looks SWEET and really adds ne wlife to the front of the Riv. I hope to have pics sometime this week, stay tuned.

I have to see this one!

Ok the car was really dirty but you get the idea combining thick and thin to fill it

yes it goes under the ''R''

wat do you think?

i think heat is the engines enemy.

Not so much heat anyway,i live in the laurentians mountains up north
86 here in summer and it's party time no difference exept in heavy
traffic but a country guy like me don't see it too often so it's not that bad.

let me ask u thought..aint it a bitch and a half!?!?

and did u get the idea from me to use the thick or did u have it done prior to joinin the site..jw

I did it prior to joint,but from a picture of your i've seen as guest and i really liked it ,look more modern peaople even ask if it's a 2002 or a 2003!!
Scuse-me but i'm not shure wat you'r say'n wit the bitch and a half
(My english is so so it's my second language)

my bad frenchy..i mean wasnt it tough to do the grill? to get the angles measured right and stuff? it was such a pain for me..i messed up like 8 times. hahaha..i agree with the modern thing. it def looks more modern..cuz chrome grills are super sweet.

Hard times mesuring but lot easier from rear and way easier
without the ''R'' Merci beaucoup mon ami lol
and with the wheels it's defenitly make a full chrome statement
so much better in person than in a pic i'm shure you agree.

LOOKS GREAT!

To whomever or anyone who knows, what size chrome stripping did you use for that? I'd like to do the same to mine. Where can I buy chrome stripping at and does it already come with adhesive? Would like to know today before I go out to the store!

1/4" with 3M backing adhesive. You can find it at most autozones and stores like that. Good luck!

Ah, thanks! Exactly what I needed to know

Wait wait....

Did you want to put the chrome strips that are just as skinny as the black plastic fins?

If so, the size you need is 1/8th inch, not 1/4!!

Just lettin' ya know...

And my AutoZone didn't even know that they had them, but they certainly carry them.

....Now he tells me after I bought it and took a close look and realized they looked too big. Fortunately I didn't open it so I'll just take it back. I didn't see 1/8th inch anywhere though. Do they keep them in the back or something?

They might have been out of them. Even calling around is a waste of time because they won't know what you're talking about.

I went to several auto parts stores and AutoZone was the only one that had them, and not one employee knew they carried them. Don't they stock the shelves from time to time?

Anyway, I'd try another AutoZone or maybe try to find them online. Sorry for being late on the advice...

If they don't know they carry them, then how will it be any different if I show up in person and don't see them and then ask? Surely you just must have some stupid people at your AutoZones (Not that we're much better though...). I'll try calling tomorrow and see if any of them claim to have some. Would it possibly be at O'Reillys, Advance Auto Parts or Pep Boys? I have several of those in the area as well as a couple AutoZones.

You'll have the best chance at Pep Boys, I got a feeling.

Shintsu,

I was just saying that as far as AutoZone (and my area is considered) you'd be better off just walking in a finding them yourself rather than calling around.

I follow a certain rule: if I can't find something in a store I'm very familiar with, chances are the employees won't help much either. Usually they give you a run around quote:

"The truck's coming in later this week, maybe we'll get them then."

or...

"I'm not sure... let me get my manager." (I.E. pass the buck to someone who knows even less).

Thats all.

You're forgetting the ever used "That's not my department" line. Get that all the time. I had to go into a craft store today (Boooooring!) to buy some stuff for a project I've gotta do and that store is designed for women. There are no signs over the aisles saying what's in them, it's just a gigantic store almost as big as a Wal-Mart full of crafts.

It's designed so women can just wander around and look at crap there all day but not find specifically what they're looking for (Like most guys like to do - find the crap, get it and go). It took me forever to find the simplest things I was looking for (Adhesive magnet and a custom button) and I tried to ask this lady who worked there and she looked like she was 90. She couldn't hear me and then when she did she said she'd get someone who worked in that department but she was going so slow I told her that I found it just because I didn't want to be there all day...

Wow, you just made me remember how much I hate craft stores.

I went in there to find glue one time. GLUE. Took me 15 minutes to find it, had to glance down every isle.

Arg.

Ok guys, I'm gonna attempt this tomorrow (Hoping it doesn't rain AGAIN). What do you all recommend using to cut the chrome strips with? Would tin snips be good?

Tin snips are overkill. Just a nice, sharp pair of scissors will do just fine.

Some long tweezers will really make the job easy for you, though. That way you won't have to stick your fingers in there to stick the strip to the slat, you can use the tweezers which will allow you to eyeball it, and get it on straight every time.

Doing around the "R" is a bitch, but it really doesn't take all that long. Expect this to take you about an hour, mainly because you have to keep cutting the strips over and over until they're the right length.

Have fun, and don't forget pictures!!

Oh, so basically that chrome isn't so much chrome but some really chincey imitation crap that's just shiny? lol, I should've expected as much for $15...

It looks good, don't worry about it.

If you want a chrome grill, this is your most economical way to get there.

Plus it lasts through the winter!