Accessory Grill Install

[ShootinDownTheStars]

Painted it black the other day...what a difference. Looks like the grill belongs now instead of an after thought!!!

[Throughput]

The billett, OEM upgrade and all black grilles look great folks. I approached it a little differently. I did not get the upgrade grille upon purchase and now my wife will not let me buy any new accessories to save money. So, I decided to paint the silver part of the OEM grille flat black. I purchased a second OEM grille on Ebay for $25.00 so I could revert if I didn't like it or for when I sell the truck.

You definitely have to have a blanket laid out and ready to place the front bumper. If you have foglights like me, you may want to elevate the blanket 6-10 inches so the bumper is not hanging by the foglight wiring. I did not unhook this wiring. Removal and re-installation of the bumper went smoothly on my truck. Be careful not to drop the clips into the engine compartment or in the grass. If you are taking apart the actual OEM grille to paint like I did, take your time and be careful not to break the plastic tabs that hold it together.

I separated the three pieces of the second (new) grille; black, silver and chrome-like Honda badge. I sanded the exterior of the silver piece with 400-600 grit sandpaper, and sprayed two coats of primer, sanding in between and afterwards. I then applied two thin coats of flat black spray as not to create runs and sags. I purchased flat clear coat as well however, I did not use it because I thought it would have given it a slight sheen. When it dries thoroughly, put it all back together, remove bumper and swapped the grilles. Below are the before, during and after pics.

It was truely only a six beer job/mod.

Good Luck !

Rich

[ShootinDownTheStars]

That turned out really good!! I like it!!!!! Looks good AND you know it is one of a kind!!!!!!

[RIDGELINEMARINE0369]

Yes I am going to ask a FNG question. When wiring the fog lights did you make your own on/off switch or did you wire it to a pre existing switch from the truck?

[UP N MTNS]

Originally Posted by RIDGELINEMARINE0369

Yes I am going to ask a FNG question. When wiring the fog lights did you make your own on/off switch or did you wire it to a pre existing switch from the truck?

I'm gonna guess and say he got the OEM Honda switch

Honda Ridgeline Fog Light Switch, Dark Gray
08V31-SJC-130A

$18.00 from here http://www.partscheap.com/ridgelineaudio07.htm bottom of the page.

Hope that answers your question Marine...


Semper Fi

[UP N MTNS]

Originally Posted by Throughput

I decided to paint the silver part of the OEM grille flat black. I purchased a second OEM grille on Ebay for $25.00 so I could revert if I didn't like it or for when I sell the truck.
Rich

Rich I just did the same thing to mine a few weeks ago,the only thing I did different was painted it gloss black then hit it with some matte clear when done... Half a dozen one way six the other


Nice job

[wheresmyburrito]

I took mine off completely, painted the area behind the grille flat black, and bought a black mesh grille from Grillcraft....

[breakfastchef]

Honestly, it looks like the grill is missing when painted completely black. Not my 'cup of tea', but interesting.

[SUBMAN]

This is my take on a grill. I bought mesh from the parts store and made it myself.

[5S Dude]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN

This is my take on a grill. I bought mesh from the parts store and made it myself.

Wow Danny, you're grill is really close to my heart! I love it when members of this community tackle a "do-it -yourself" project like this and the results turn out to be better than the one's being sold retail!! ROC-On!