Working of the full mesh project - LotusTalk

madden · 02-18-2009, 08:15 PM

Seems like this winter everyone is working on meshing out their elises, so I figured I'd give it a shot. My preconditions were that the clams couldnt be removed, everything had to be reversible, no new holes could be drilled, and no tape could be used. I am using the XXL hex mesh from customcargrills. So far I have came finished the front and am almost done with the side vents. I'll update my progress as I go on, just thought some may want to see the what I did in case they want to try it...

The front bolts on to the bottom holes, and has welded on tabs that pop into the stock grill brackets. The tow cutout is made from aluminum (I tried to make it as stock exigelike as possible)...

Here are the side scoops I'm working on. It is a total pain to fill in the top hole that the slats leave. I fiber glassed it shut and then smoothed it with filler. The XXL mesh is really hard to bend around the tight curves of the scoops, I almost gave up and used smaller mesh, but I really wanted to have the same mesh throughout the car so I finally got it on using hours of bending and epoxy resin. They are not done yet, hopefully tomorrow they will be on the car. Stay tuned for the radiator, oil cooler and engine cover grills...

SweetDaddyD · 02-18-2009, 08:47 PM

Very cool. Can't wait to see them on the car. I think I'm really going to like the sides. Are you also doing the rad. and engine vents?
Edit: I'll learn to read one day. lol. I see my answer in your post.

Exigin · 02-18-2009, 08:50 PM

I thought you already did this? Must have been another CO elise.

LOok good.

Update when you done!

andrewgotanelise · 02-18-2009, 09:56 PM

you want to do my fronts ?

jpryor27 · 02-18-2009, 11:10 PM

Keep up the good work! I was hoping to be lazy and just pay someone for a complete set (that wasn't overpriced), but i may just have to bite the bullet and DIY it. Thanks for the inspiration.

cd4age · 02-19-2009, 12:02 AM

Keep up the good work man! it's looking great so far!

This just reminded me that u asked me for more pics of the side grills I did in the other thread and I totally forgot! Sorry, it's probably 2 late but I'll still take some tomorrow.

Whiskey · 02-19-2009, 08:02 AM

I couldn't see the front mesh. I had to brighten the image a bit.

madden · 02-19-2009, 08:06 AM

sorry, i had to take pics in my garage because the car is up on stands.
I'll pull the car out and take better pictures when its all done

shadowhusky · 02-19-2009, 08:24 AM

Looks great!!!!!

LotusStig22 · 02-19-2009, 03:30 PM

Great car Madden, when I get an Elise in a few years (maybe 3-4 lol) You should do mine XD Make a kit and sell it, a no-clam change/no-drilling Elise Mesh Kit for all Fin-sections is a Winner, I'd buy it =D

V-RAPTOR · 02-19-2009, 04:00 PM

Wow great job! I am still trying to work up the courage to try this my self.

madden · 02-20-2009, 10:25 AM

finally got the right side vent on the car and I am in love with the look. It was a pain to get it perfectly smoothed and fitted but I got it on. Cant wait to get the LH vent on now.
I went with satin black and it fits perfect, check out the difference compared to stock...

skottoman · 02-20-2009, 10:58 AM

That looks awesome! Nice Job!!!!
CHeers,
Skottoman

A7594217 · 02-20-2009, 11:51 AM

Good job. Can you give more details on making the front grills. How you shaped them etc.

Thanks

Cali · 02-20-2009, 11:59 AM

Nice work, man. The side vents look amazing...

madden · 02-20-2009, 12:10 PM

I made like 5 templates out of posterboard first to get it fitting perfect, then cut out the shape of the opening from a 1" thick piece of wood. I extended the mesh about 1" off the dies when I cut it out, then hammered it around the wood cutout to get the right angle bends as close as possible. Test fit it to the car, did some more pounding to adjust it.

Bob Dz. · 02-20-2009, 12:19 PM

Great job. Looks a hell of a lot better then the plastic crap fins.

I wonder how it would look if you had the mesh the car color?

sleepe · 02-20-2009, 07:54 PM

looks oem.

What size wheel spacers do you use?

madden · 02-20-2009, 09:55 PM

I dont think I have any spacers on there.

madden · 02-26-2009, 01:40 PM

here are a few updates.
I ended up having to grind out the oil cooler grill brackets and adding the mesh.
finished up both side scoops and am in the process of smoothing the radiator plastic...

02-18-2009, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 807	Working of the full mesh project Seems like this winter everyone is working on meshing out their elises, so I figured I'd give it a shot. My preconditions were that the clams couldnt be removed, everything had to be reversible, no new holes could be drilled, and no tape could be used. I am using the XXL hex mesh from customcargrills. So far I have came finished the front and am almost done with the side vents. I'll update my progress as I go on, just thought some may want to see the what I did in case they want to try it... The front bolts on to the bottom holes, and has welded on tabs that pop into the stock grill brackets. The tow cutout is made from aluminum (I tried to make it as stock exigelike as possible)... Here are the side scoops I'm working on. It is a total pain to fill in the top hole that the slats leave. I fiber glassed it shut and then smoothed it with filler. The XXL mesh is really hard to bend around the tight curves of the scoops, I almost gave up and used smaller mesh, but I really wanted to have the same mesh throughout the car so I finally got it on using hours of bending and epoxy resin. They are not done yet, hopefully tomorrow they will be on the car. Stay tuned for the radiator, oil cooler and engine cover grills...

02-18-2009, 09:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
andrewgotanelise Surfer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,288	you want to do my fronts ? __________________ 05 NFB Elise / Katana SC / No Snorkle / 3.2 "10" psi pulley / Stage 1 Exhaust / Decat / Green Filter RIP

02-18-2009, 11:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
jpryor27 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cicero, NY Posts: 235	Keep up the good work! I was hoping to be lazy and just pay someone for a complete set (that wasn't overpriced), but i may just have to bite the bullet and DIY it. Thanks for the inspiration. __________________ '06 Elise - Laser Blue, LSS, TP, TC, Starshield, Hardtop. Mods: Stage 2, LETSLA, Manly MM, Exige Seats, Bollocks, De-Snorkeled, Viper's AC Mod, Alpine PDX/JL Sub/CF Box, 35% Tint, Color Matched Tunnel/AC Surround, Switchblade Fob. To Do List: Mesh, S/C (Someday) A twirling visual overload, explosions of terror and beauty. Colors of fear and pain within clash into unanything.

02-19-2009, 08:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Whiskey Love is More Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Athens, Ohio Posts: 373	I couldn't see the front mesh. I had to brighten the image a bit. Attached Images __________________ Will \| 2005 Lotus Elise \| Sport Pack \| Biscuit Touring Pack \| Storm Ti \| BWR Supercharger \| Elise: My process of adding exige side scoops (+ Front Mesh) \|

02-19-2009, 08:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
shadowhusky Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: East China, Michigan Posts: 514	Looks great!!!!! __________________ SOLD2005 Elise, Aubergine, Touring Pack, Sport Pack, Hardtop, Quicksilver Exhaust, Cup Air Box, Tilting Clam, Mesh Grills all around - ( fabricated, not purchased ) 55w 6000k HID's, Painted Engine Covers, Center Console, A/C Surround, Polished Shifter Arm, Ball,and E-Brake Handle, Multivex Mirrors. 2010 Jeep Wrangler 2002 VW Jetta TDI, Metallic Blue, Daily Driver, 187,000 miles and going strong

02-18-2009, 08:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,592 Images: 2	Very cool. Can't wait to see them on the car. I think I'm really going to like the sides. Are you also doing the rad. and engine vents? Edit: I'll learn to read one day. lol. I see my answer in your post.

02-18-2009, 08:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Exigin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 933	I thought you already did this? Must have been another CO elise. LOok good. Update when you done!

02-19-2009, 12:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
cd4age eH? Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 375	Keep up the good work man! it's looking great so far! This just reminded me that u asked me for more pics of the side grills I did in the other thread and I totally forgot! Sorry, it's probably 2 late but I'll still take some tomorrow.

02-19-2009, 08:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 807	sorry, i had to take pics in my garage because the car is up on stands. I'll pull the car out and take better pictures when its all done

02-19-2009, 03:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
LotusStig22 LT Rebel in Hiding. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wouldn't you like to know? Posts: 890	Great car Madden, when I get an Elise in a few years (maybe 3-4 lol) You should do mine XD Make a kit and sell it, a no-clam change/no-drilling Elise Mesh Kit for all Fin-sections is a Winner, I'd buy it =D __________________ "My plan is to dress as a leprechaun and stand at the side of the road with an engine crane and a crowbar. The cops will waste valuable time breathalyzing the driver after he tells them a leprechaun stole his engine and I'll be able to make an escape" ~Cthulhu

02-19-2009, 04:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
V-RAPTOR STARLIGHT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NOVA (Winchester) Posts: 1,294	Wow great job! I am still trying to work up the courage to try this my self. __________________ SOLD - 2005 Starlight Black Biscuit Interior // Hard Top // BWR Super Charger // Von Hep Exhaust // Von Hep Rear Delete // Full HS Removed // Cup Box // Manley Mounts // Rota Wheels W/ Toyo R1R's // ForceFed Carbon Fiber Splitter // Carbon Fiber Engine lid cover // Custom side grills // LidBone // JL Audio VR525-CXi Front and Rear // Micro Mirror // Painted interior bits // Bling Buttons // Darth Holder // STRIPES Current -- 2007 Audi RS4 // DD -- 2010 Toytoa Tacoma DC-LB

02-20-2009, 10:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 807	finally got the right side vent on the car and I am in love with the look. It was a pain to get it perfectly smoothed and fitted but I got it on. Cant wait to get the LH vent on now. I went with satin black and it fits perfect, check out the difference compared to stock...

02-20-2009, 10:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
skottoman 'Justa' Exige 190 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Cruz, CA. Posts: 1,110	That looks awesome! Nice Job!!!! CHeers, Skottoman __________________ 2006 AR N/A Exige-Touring pack-Starshield-TopspeedPro1 exhaust-DeSnorked-Green filter-RTD ToeBrace-Shims Removed-CF Diffuser-CF Splitter-CF Wing-CF Scoops w/custom grills-Black Exige sticker-PC680 battery-S111 battery holddown-Rear Lotus badge-Carpet buttons-Painted shift knob-Painted Console-EBrake Gaiter-SilverStealth bulbs-Front S111 towhook-Polk speakers-Toyo R888s-Lamin-x turn signal tint 2008 BMW X3 with some mods 2006 Cayman 'S' (wife's car)

02-20-2009, 11:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
A7594217 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 626	Good job. Can you give more details on making the front grills. How you shaped them etc. Thanks __________________ 05 Lime Green- To many mods Pictures of my Car http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/...-inside-89050/

02-20-2009, 11:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
Cali Shish Kebab Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 817	Nice work, man. The side vents look amazing... __________________ "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?" - George Carlin

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02-20-2009, 12:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 807	I made like 5 templates out of posterboard first to get it fitting perfect, then cut out the shape of the opening from a 1" thick piece of wood. I extended the mesh about 1" off the dies when I cut it out, then hammered it around the wood cutout to get the right angle bends as close as possible. Test fit it to the car, did some more pounding to adjust it.

02-20-2009, 12:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
Bob Dz. Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 309	Great job. Looks a hell of a lot better then the plastic crap fins. I wonder how it would look if you had the mesh the car color?

02-20-2009, 07:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
sleepe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 2,019	looks oem. What size wheel spacers do you use? __________________ Elise 2006 with some additions

02-20-2009, 09:55 PM	#19 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 807	I dont think I have any spacers on there.

02-26-2009, 01:40 PM	#20 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 807	here are a few updates. I ended up having to grind out the oil cooler grill brackets and adding the mesh. finished up both side scoops and am in the process of smoothing the radiator plastic...

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