The Old Guy

Here is my opinion on the AT grill.

Just got my AT Grill and I just finish installing it. It took me about 4 hours to install it. The reason was that I had to trim both the top and bottom pieces to make it fit right. As most of you know the AT Grill is just a piece of mesh painted silver.

When I was installing it I noticed that the fit wasn't the best. The mesh was touching the bumper almost all the way around. If left like that then the sharp edges of the mesh will rub on the paint with the vibration and will ruin the paint. So very slowly I trimmed the excess material. After I was done trimming, the installation was a snap. I used very thin black tie-wraps and painted the exposed part of the tie-wrap silver to match the mesh.

It looks ok. But I think I'll be changing it whenever someone comes out with a better looking grill.

Makaveli

Hey, I'm almost done making my own grill and would appreciate it a lot if you could take a picture of it on there, a closeup just so that I can see some things....... If you don't have a digital camera then don't worry about it

WeeBieP5

Anyone have a picture of just the AT grill before installation?? I want to see how they cut it (what shape)?? I am thinking about making my own and than painting it white. No offence to anyone, i just think the shiny silver looks kinda tacky. I thought a flat white grill would look good on my Midnight Blue P5.

thanx

ZackyFarms16

yea, i would also LOVE to get some close up pics of how the AT grill works. Im in the process of making my own for my silver P5. So someone please please get som close up pics. Also what color would u guys suggest i do my grill? I have a silver p5. I dont want to do a silver mesh cuz i think that wouldnt look good, and white only looks good with dark colored cars(and red and stuff). ANy ideas

PS. sorry to repeat but ive been dying for some close ups on the AT Grill. Help us out peeps. THanks

big_ben

It's pretty easy. I made mine about a week ago. It looks kinda shabby up close, but if you step away it looks pretty good. I also am gling to replace it when someone makes a billet grill. All I did was cut out a stencil then cut out the shape in the mesh. I used thin galvanized wire and twsted it to tie it on. Here are the pics of it. http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/big_ben21....dir=/&.view=t
Let me know if you have any questions.

WeeBieP5

how did you make the stencil??

Makaveli

ben, saw those pics, but none of them are really clear...

big_ben

The mesh I got from Lowes has black paper backing you have to peel off. I just used that and put it over the grille. Then used a box cutter to cut out around the grille. Go very slow so that you don't cut into the paint. then cut out the mesh and trim it till it looks right. It takes a little time but its worth not wasting $70 to $80 on the same thing from AT grills. That's more than 2000% markup!!!!! What a rip off!

BTW, I'll post a close up of it to show you the wire ties, and the emblem. Look at them some time this afternoon, don't have time right now, got statics class.

WeeBieP5

What kind of mesh did you buy?? Was there any kind of name for it??? How much did it cost (US$ or CAN$??)?? Also how did you attach it??

Thanx

WeeBieP5

How did the grill go inside the mazda logo?? was it just 2 seperate little peices that you had to tie strap inside there?? and than one big peice to go around and underneath the logo??

The Old Guy

inside the mazda logo are just two small pieces that will fit inside the logo. the main grill will go around the logo only on the bottom. there is no room on top of the logo for the grill to go around it.

WeeBieP5

ok i finished cutting out the grill and if fits alright, not great, but not too bad. Now how should i attach it?? I was thinking tiny zip-ties or very thin aluminum wire, But you cant get a hand on the backside of the grill to feed the zip-tie or the wire through. How did you get the zip-tie around it??

Makaveli

use scissors to reach through and grab it on the other end of the grill and then pull the zip-tie back, just don't cut it hehe

big_ben

The top grill is only one piece. You have to pry off the emblem. It won't break it, just be carefull. To attach the grill over your stock one, use galvanized wire. Bend it in the shape of a hook, poke it through one of the holes, and pull the other end through. Then twst it untill it's tight. That easy. Do this all the way around. Then clip off the excess, and bend it back. To reattach the emblem, just get some double sided foam tape and stick it back on. There are pics on my earlier post. I took some closeups. Any more questions just let me know.