RaceMesh install advice please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
RaceMesh install advice please
Finally got my RaceMesh grilles today..took 5 weeks but they are wayyyyyyy better then the gm ones
...got the electro plated front, sides and rears....Much MUCH better quality..thicker...just visually better as well...
Now I have seen and posted I think about installing them months ago but now that I see them in hand Id like to know now a few things...
- Do the sides and rear ones need to be formed?? I thought they were going to arrive formed if they needed to be so.... They are just flat...
Oh each the sides and rear comes with the glue package with it...but no install instructions...
So anyyyyyyyy tricks or advice on installing the RaceMesh brand grilles would be very much appreciated....thanks for any help!!
...got the electro plated front, sides and rears....Much MUCH better quality..thicker...just visually better as well...Now I have seen and posted I think about installing them months ago but now that I see them in hand Id like to know now a few things...
- Do the sides and rear ones need to be formed?? I thought they were going to arrive formed if they needed to be so.... They are just flat...
Oh each the sides and rear comes with the glue package with it...but no install instructions...
So anyyyyyyyy tricks or advice on installing the RaceMesh brand grilles would be very much appreciated....thanks for any help!!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Cullman Alabama
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 2
From: prescott arizona
The RaceMesh side grilles are just flat, your have to bend and form them to fit your fenders. Take your time doing that and the look will be awesome when they are installed. I cut the supplied two sided tape in half lengthways and used it to secure the grilles to the outside of the fender edge. I then used duct tape to tape the inner egde down tight to the fender. Now get yourself some GOOD quality silicone adhesive/caulk and carefully apply it to the inside of the inner and outter edge of the wire and fender and let cure for 24 hours. If you can see some of the silicone from the outside of the fender take a toothpick and carefully remove it before it cures. After the first application of the silicone cures, pull off the duct tape and apply some silicone beads to the areas where the duct tape was. Let everything cure for 24 hours and your are good to go , the rear grilles are installed the same way but you will need to loosen the mufflers and get them out of the way. LOTS OF WORK BUT THE FINISHED LOOK IS AWESOME!!! Good luck. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
thanks guys..appreciate the advice.....horror stories about the side coves but seems..SEEMS..like it shouldnt be THAT bad...so Im to take it that the silicone adhesive supplied sucks??? Any particular brand or type recommend??? Going to Home Depot in the morning to pick some up...thanks for the help!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,755
Likes: 3,688
From: The Sunshine State
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Take your time and plan on the Vette being down at least one day - two is better in case you apply a second coat of epoxy.
Make sure to really clean the areas first and follow up with the rubbing alcohol to make sure all the goo is off.
When installing the side coves, I removed the wheel so that I had easier access, plus it gave me the opportunity to really clean the wheel well and detail it.
Make sure to really clean the areas first and follow up with the rubbing alcohol to make sure all the goo is off.
When installing the side coves, I removed the wheel so that I had easier access, plus it gave me the opportunity to really clean the wheel well and detail it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 25
From: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. South West Florida / Livin' The Dream
St. Jude Donor '12
thanks guys..appreciate the advice.....horror stories about the side coves but seems..SEEMS..like it shouldnt be THAT bad...so Im to take it that the silicone adhesive supplied sucks??? Any particular brand or type recommend??? Going to Home Depot in the morning to pick some up...thanks for the help!!
Let it set for at least 24 hours for the silicone to cure and your good to go. I did mine this way 2 years ago and no problems so far.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
as above, take your time forming, its worth it in the end. I used silicone to adhere the grills. I broke all of the black tabs right off. to secure the cove and rear grills I used long elastic bands. I hooked them throught the grills and secured them to the car. I used two on each cove and 4 on each rear-this way the grills were flush to the body and set in place in the silicone.
good luck!
good luck!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
No need to loosen the muffs, just cut away the tips of RaceMesh in that area to clear the muffs. Use zip ties around the rear horizontal vent ribs and through the RaceMesh to draw them tight (after forming the RaceMesh to fit as flush as possible) while the Automotive RTV Silicone cures.
The RaceMesh side grilles are just flat, your have to bend and form them to fit your fenders. Take your time doing that and the look will be awesome when they are installed. I cut the supplied two sided tape in half lengthways and used it to secure the grilles to the outside of the fender edge. I then used duct tape to tape the inner egde down tight to the fender. Now get yourself some GOOD quality silicone adhesive/caulk and carefully apply it to the inside of the inner and outter edge of the wire and fender and let cure for 24 hours. If you can see some of the silicone from the outside of the fender take a toothpick and carefully remove it before it cures. After the first application of the silicone cures, pull off the duct tape and apply some silicone beads to the areas where the duct tape was. Let everything cure for 24 hours and your are good to go , the rear grilles are installed the same way but you will need to loosen the mufflers and get them out of the way. LOTS OF WORK BUT THE FINISHED LOOK IS AWESOME!!! Good luck.
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