2002 Base Model Grill Removal - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

MytinyBoxster · 03-29-2015, 11:37 AM

How do you remove the two front grills on the bumper? My car is white and the grills appear were originally black, but have faded and now look grayish and tired. Time to give them an update and refresh them.

I looked if they would just pull out from the front and tugged on them with no luck, I see no screws holding them on? How do they come out pushing them in ? Please advise.

Thanks guys

Cebu · 03-29-2015, 12:04 PM

Interested in this too, I'm going to repaint mine. Not sure if I'm going gloss or flat black.

MytinyBoxster · 03-29-2015, 01:34 PM

I'm going with flat black seems more in line with the car

lkchris · 03-29-2015, 01:34 PM

You have to remove the bumper and take them out from behind.

Van914 · 03-29-2015, 01:35 PM

You have to take the bumper off the car. The grills mount from the inside. Good time to clean out the radiators too.

crooster · 03-29-2015, 01:36 PM

And if the front bumper is off its a good time to clean out the rads. I plan to do mine as soon as it warms up a bit more here.

Lapister · 03-29-2015, 02:39 PM

It is unbelievable how much crap gets in between radiator and condensor so blow out with Compressed air or hose out. Bumper comes off pretty easily and vents are snapped in from behind

MytinyBoxster · 03-29-2015, 04:40 PM

Thanks guys, and great heads up about cleaning out the rads. Will have to wait until it gets a little warmer to drop the front bumper.

ilikeching · 03-29-2015, 04:41 PM

bumper removal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um-h2aUJHY4

MytinyBoxster · 03-29-2015, 09:09 PM

Awesome video, definitely will clean the radiators out now that I seen how dirty they can get. BTW I've seen these fine mesh grill insert sold on eBay to protect the radiators. What's the opinion on these? Good or bad? Again thanks guys, I feel empowered.

M4SGK1986 · 03-30-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MytinyBoxster

Awesome video, definitely will clean the radiators out now that I seen how dirty they can get. BTW I've seen these fine mesh grill insert sold on eBay to protect the radiators. What's the opinion on these? Good or bad? Again thanks guys, I feel empowered.

I had stones hit the condenser rads and i had to replace them both, as i on my 04 2.7 i have just the two 'fins' which leaves a large openings. I wanted to keep the stock appearance (plus at the time i could find any after market mesh vents for my car, don't know if they do any now) so i bought some mesh of the interweb and fitted it to the rear of the openings with some little black screws. It works really well and still looks stock, unless you are really close that is. i would recommend it.

You should be able to see the silver mesh from this pic.

jeffL · 03-30-2015, 02:00 PM

I used bumper black paint on mine while removed for rad cleaning. also did black
trim pieces on bottom of bumper, small flaps by wheels and the windshield
wiper cowling at the same time. all had faded and looked much better afterwards.

M4SGK1986 · 03-30-2015, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffL

I used bumper black paint on mine while removed for rad cleaning. also did black
trim pieces on bottom of bumper, small flaps by wheels and the windshield
wiper cowling at the same time. all had faded and looked much better afterwards.

Do you have a pic of the painted wiper cowling, mine looks terrible because it is faded? sounds like a good idea to restore it rather than replacing it.

crooster · 03-30-2015, 03:23 PM

I have good success using a Mothers product Back to Black for restoring my fading wiper cowling and other trim bits to a dark black.

jeffL · 03-31-2015, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4SGK1986

Do you have a pic of the painted wiper cowling, mine looks terrible because it is faded? sounds like a good idea to restore it rather than replacing it.

Steve, i don't have a pic at the moment and car is 20 miles away, still in
winter storage, but it worked very well.