Bonnet Vents adding a mesh grille

[cp81]

Hi, while having more home time and only so much gardening I can put up with... thought would take some jobs on the car. One thing I was wondering was adding some mesh grille to the bonnet vents to stop crap getting into the engine bay. I am sure others have done this and just wish to get their recommendations on how they tackled it... My thoughts were getting some mesh grille, cutting it to shape and fixing it in place with good old tiger seal.

[fieryfred]

It is easier with the bonnet off. But i did mine with the bonnet on. Doh. When the bonnet bolt came adrift i had to take the bonnet off.
So bonnet on use paper to mark a template for each louvre. Cut mesh to size & use contact adhesive to fill the mesh edges & stick into place.
When this has set run over the edges with sixaflex. You need something to stop the mesh falling out while the sixaflex sets.
I did the radiator mesh at the same time.
Well i think its looks better than an open hole & no one has even noticed the mesh.

[dvs_dave]

I suggest either using black mesh or painting it black before installation. Looks smarter.

[phillpot]

I suggest using stainless steel mesh . Looks smarter (imho)

[cp81]

Fred, do you have any pictures of underneath your bonnet?

I am not sure whether to make one strip per side or three vent covers per side.

Made some cardboard shapes this morning so could work out how much mess is needed...

[fieryfred]

I used seperate pieces in stainless. I will take some photos tommorow. We are limited to 2meg for photos so will use a low res.
I tried a mock up in black & it depends on the colour of your car. your choice. If you require black you will have to prime otherwise the paint will just flake off.
The radiator grill aka stone & bug catcher works a treat.
Now i need a magic stone chip protector.

[fieryfred]

The photos are not very good but will give you an idea as to what the vents look like underneath.

[cp81]

Thanks, I am in two minds whether to do as you did or have one whole piece covering all three vents.

My gill mesh should be delivered Wednesday so hope to post my pictures at end of week.

[Classic Chim]

fieryfred said:

I used seperate pieces in stainless. I will take some photos tommorow. We are limited to 2meg for photos so will use a low res.
I tried a mock up in black & it depends on the colour of your car. your choice. If you require black you will have to prime otherwise the paint will just flake off.
The radiator grill aka stone & bug catcher works a treat.
Now i need a magic stone chip protector.

How have you fixed the stone chip mesh in front of the rad.
I’m thinking of doing something like this as the radiator in later cars is at risk via that gaping hole.
Cheers, just looking for ideas mainly.

[fieryfred]

Oh well done on the re-build my back would have given up before the paint was dry.
Its just a flat piece of mesh with a rubber surround & 2 bent bits of alluminium bolted to the bolt holes in the radiator.

[fieryfred]

Added another photo. It just slides in front of the radiator & is easy to remove & clean the dead bugs from.
My original radiator was battered to bits. The new one has a few bugs but no stone damage & the car runs cool.
I lowered the number plate to aid summer air flow.

[Classic Chim]

^^^^^^ sound that is and thanks.. my back gave up ages ago