How To do the Pillarless Grill Mod

Kirv · 07-29-2006, 04:22 PM

First remove the grill, it’s easy there are 4 clips along the top edge and two clips down below near the corners. Push the tabs down and push the grill out, you’ll need a screwdriver to push down the lower tabs, be careful because they are not very sturdy.

You can see the tabs in this picture

On the back of the grill, pop out the four metal tabs that hold down the mesh (shown in this fuzzy pic) and remove the mesh.

Hack off the pillar using a dremel, or if you don’t have one, use a utility knife and drill like I did.

Holy CRAP, it looks like I’ll need to throw it out!?

Never fear, file, grind, file, grind, file, grind, keep going until it’s smooth, this part takes a while. I used the dremel cutting ring in my drill, an actual dremel would work better than a drill.

Then use sandpaper, starting with 80 or 100 grit working your way up to 220 then 400 or 600 grit to polish it. This part takes a while too.

Now clean it and let dry. I just used formula 409 to clean it off. Make sure you don't leave any residue or the paint won't stick.

Paint with 3 coats of Rustoleum textured black for plastics. (I used plain black, it’s glossier, and shows any imperfections in the modification, textured black will be more forgiving).

Replace the mesh and its four metal holding clips. The STi badge is held on with two nuts, not pictured because it will be obvious once you see the back of the mesh.

Ready to go!

To put back on the car, pop in the 6 clips and you’re done. Enjoy the cleaner look.

TRM 03-AUG-2006: added to the How-To catalog sticky

krees23 · 07-30-2006, 05:25 AM

What does it look like on the car? Got a pick?

IWantAnSTi · 07-30-2006, 07:51 AM

Hey nice write-up. When I get my STi, this is going to be my first DIY mod. I think this mod looks so clean. By the way, how hard is it to take off the STi logo on the grill? I like the logo on there, but I just want to know just in case I feel like taking it off.

dustybottoms · 07-30-2006, 10:06 AM

Very cool mate, how does the underside of the grill look?

sti robot · 07-30-2006, 11:50 AM

I've done this mod myself. You may want to add steps where you bondo over the bumps on the bottom. However, it will be hard to get it to look great. It will look good, all i'm saying is that body filling is a skill that takes time to get right.

The sti logo is very easy to get off. In fact you might want to be careful not to pop it off during this process.

If you have the $$ then a pro job by this guy is worth it: ese-grill (pillar-less) installed

mine: Did the pilarless mod myself

IWantAnSTi · 07-31-2006, 07:56 AM

^I saw your thread a while ago and you are the one that made me fall in love with this mod. Yours looks great, especially on your black car. I hope that my STi will be black so it will look that clean.^

***VSGTS14*** · 07-31-2006, 09:26 AM

ok so what exactly is used for filling? it's just called bondo? lol
the guy that i'm going to have do it (professional painter, auto restoration man) wanted to know what to use to fill it since i told him others have done it.

rydeordie · 08-01-2006, 08:21 AM

Can someone recommend a good bondo to fill this out and where to get it? Sorry im a bondo noob. Thanks!

Kirv · 08-01-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sti robot

I've done this mod myself. You may want to add steps where you bondo over the bumps on the bottom.

i agree, i didn't use bondo, and if you get up close to mine, you can tell that the pillar was hacked off. Bondo FTW!

FujiApples · 08-02-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

ok so what exactly is used for filling? it's just called bondo? lol
the guy that i'm going to have do it (professional painter, auto restoration man) wanted to know what to use to fill it since i told him others have done it.

lol i got lazy and didnt bondo it either.. bought the stuff but didnt touch it.. after cutting everything it doesnt look too bad except at the very back where it tilts in.. but you cant see unless you get super close..

another thing.. u hiring a guy to do it or is he like your friend thats helpin out? because its super easy and you can do it by yourself.. just make sure u primer it a few coats and fine sand the primer.. as well as clear coating and wet sanding that.. otherwise it will have sanding marks

and the stuffs just called bondo.. its like the brand.. bondo body filler.

***VSGTS14*** · 08-02-2006, 07:57 AM

the guy is a friend and works at our dealers on certain days for customers or our trade in's...he's done some stuff to my old celica and a few things for my sti.

BillFromTR · 08-02-2006, 11:08 AM

glazing putty is better than bondo IMO. it comes in a smaller container and you dont have to mix it with hardener. heres a pic of my grille.

***VSGTS14*** · 08-02-2006, 05:39 PM

where can i find this ****?

05soobieSTi · 08-08-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillFromTR

glazing putty is better than bondo IMO. it comes in a smaller container and you dont have to mix it with hardener. heres a pic of my grille.

what paint did you use to paint your grill?

tecnica · 08-08-2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

where can i find this ****?

I used glazing putty as well. I picked mine up from napa. It costs about 7 bucks and will last a life time.

07-29-2006, 04:22 PM	#1
Kirv Professional STI Racer Car: 05 STi Silver Fav Mod: Rumble + Torque = COBB Stg2 Location: CT Posts: 727 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	How To do the Pillarless Grill Mod First remove the grill, it’s easy there are 4 clips along the top edge and two clips down below near the corners. Push the tabs down and push the grill out, you’ll need a screwdriver to push down the lower tabs, be careful because they are not very sturdy. You can see the tabs in this picture On the back of the grill, pop out the four metal tabs that hold down the mesh (shown in this fuzzy pic) and remove the mesh. Hack off the pillar using a dremel, or if you don’t have one, use a utility knife and drill like I did. Holy CRAP, it looks like I’ll need to throw it out!? Never fear, file, grind, file, grind, file, grind, keep going until it’s smooth, this part takes a while. I used the dremel cutting ring in my drill, an actual dremel would work better than a drill. Then use sandpaper, starting with 80 or 100 grit working your way up to 220 then 400 or 600 grit to polish it. This part takes a while too. Now clean it and let dry. I just used formula 409 to clean it off. Make sure you don't leave any residue or the paint won't stick. Paint with 3 coats of Rustoleum textured black for plastics. (I used plain black, it’s glossier, and shows any imperfections in the modification, textured black will be more forgiving). Replace the mesh and its four metal holding clips. The STi badge is held on with two nuts, not pictured because it will be obvious once you see the back of the mesh. Ready to go! To put back on the car, pop in the 6 clips and you’re done. Enjoy the cleaner look. TRM 03-AUG-2006: added to the How-To catalog sticky This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by Kirv : 11-04-2006 at 02:54 AM. Reason: Hotlinked the photos

07-30-2006, 05:25 AM	#2
krees23 Senior STI Driver Car: 2005 Subaru STi Fav Mod: Cobb Swaybars and Kartboy Endlinks Location: Minnesota Posts: 349 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	What does it look like on the car? Got a pick?

07-30-2006, 07:51 AM	#3
IWantAnSTi STI Driver Posts: 237 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey nice write-up. When I get my STi, this is going to be my first DIY mod. I think this mod looks so clean. By the way, how hard is it to take off the STi logo on the grill? I like the logo on there, but I just want to know just in case I feel like taking it off.

07-30-2006, 10:06 AM	#4
dustybottoms Junior STI Driver Car: 2004 STi, black Fav Mod: 18" HRE's Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 171 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Very cool mate, how does the underside of the grill look?

07-30-2006, 11:50 AM	#5
sti robot Spec C Club Car: 04 STI Java black w/ Fav Mod: a garage Location: Just outside Manassass VA Posts: 1,387 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I've done this mod myself. You may want to add steps where you bondo over the bumps on the bottom. However, it will be hard to get it to look great. It will look good, all i'm saying is that body filling is a skill that takes time to get right. The sti logo is very easy to get off. In fact you might want to be careful not to pop it off during this process. If you have the $$ then a pro job by this guy is worth it: ese-grill (pillar-less) installed mine: Did the pilarless mod myself

07-31-2006, 07:56 AM	#6
IWantAnSTi STI Driver Posts: 237 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	^I saw your thread a while ago and you are the one that made me fall in love with this mod. Yours looks great, especially on your black car. I hope that my STi will be black so it will look that clean.^

07-31-2006, 09:26 AM	#7
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,844 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	ok so what exactly is used for filling? it's just called bondo? lol the guy that i'm going to have do it (professional painter, auto restoration man) wanted to know what to use to fill it since i told him others have done it.

08-01-2006, 08:21 AM	#8
rydeordie Junior STI Driver Car: EVO IX Location: New Jersey Posts: 64 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Can someone recommend a good bondo to fill this out and where to get it? Sorry im a bondo noob. Thanks!

08-02-2006, 07:57 AM	#11
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,844 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	the guy is a friend and works at our dealers on certain days for customers or our trade in's...he's done some stuff to my old celica and a few things for my sti.

08-02-2006, 11:08 AM	#12
BillFromTR Spec C Club Car: Wingless '05 Fav Mod: BOV and MBC Location: Armpit of America Posts: 2,217 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (4)	glazing putty is better than bondo IMO. it comes in a smaller container and you dont have to mix it with hardener. heres a pic of my grille.

08-02-2006, 05:39 PM	#13
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,844 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	where can i find this ****?