Maybe you should thread "Here's what I've done. I enjoyed doing it. If you don't like it, screw you." That being said, and since you asked...no sir, I don't like it...or more appropriately I should say it's not something I would have done BUT if you like it, then I'll chime in with suggestions. First, I think any 'surface treatments' (paint, decals, etc) will just make it look more 'stuck on'. On a somewhat similar situation, awhile back we wanted to install interior plantation style shutters in our house...we really liked the look but one room just seemed unbalanced (like there should be a window on a wall, but wasn't)...my solution was to trim out the size of a window and install the shutter in the fake opening. The result was good, but still looked "stuck on', so I had a mirror cut to the size of the 'opening' and re-hung the shutter...the result is impressive and the effect is that of a window due to the added depth. I would think you could accomplish the same effect...cut out the bottom holes, install your mesh behind, and behind mesh use a plastic mirror. You could try a 'mock up on the upper holes before you cut out the lowers. Anyway, just my suggestion.
And yes, I get the retirement issue...I find myself hunting for projects (mainly home improvement). Some have been needed, but some have been mentally fabricated...and of those, some have been good ideas and others, well, not as much...well done but superfluous. One last tip, I've found that before I start a new project, I ask myself "is this really needed, or am I just looking for a project?" If the latter, I'll reassess and move on to something else.
As always, best wishes. Enjoy...but if you decide to paint plaid with pink rims and giant curb feelers, maybe you should seek help.
Thanks for the thoughtful input. I dont mind the comments because I ask for them, hell I agree with some of them. Alot of my projects end up in a pile in my garage when I dont care for them but I'm not unhappy that I tried them. If I went by opinions I wouldn't of done any mods because someone always doesn't like something. I'm not as enthusiastic about these as I thought I would be but I may cut out the bottom 2 inserts and put mesh behind them. For now im going to leave them on for awhile. I did this to get an idea about the cutting out the bottoms just to see.
I'm going to try that but I have to find some new mesh that is flat. The mesh in tge pics is metal and will not lay flush. I need to find something thinner and flatter.
I agree with most folks, not my cup of tea but mod on. The upside to modifications is that they push the envelope and we all benefit from someone’s creativity. The downside is that they always go one step too far. I think you are getting close...
I agree with most folks, not my cup of tea but mod on. The upside to modifications is that they push the envelope and we all benefit from someone’s creativity. The downside is that they always go one step too far. I think you are getting close...
The good news I keep all the old parts. Can switch it all back in a weekend 😉
IMHO that’s the best look so far. I’d say it’s a decent 10 footer. At the least I’d add black, flat grill material (real flat grill material, not rain gutter mesh) behind the real vent openings to give them a ‘bottom’ to look similar to the false openings. This tricks the eye into looking ‘at’ the vent, not ‘through’ the vent. Just be sure to get grill material that flows enough air. Automotive Goop is your friend for bonding the grills. It remains flexible, has a reasonable working time and forms a strong bond on properly prepared surfaces.
To take it to the next level (required IMHO but you never know what it’s really gonna look like until you do it and those vents are relatively expensive)
1) carefully cut out the lower two openings, fill, sand and repaint the vent as necessary
2) add the same black grill material behind the new openings. One piece for the lower two openings. It will be close to the surface due to the vent design but it is what it is. In conjunction with step 3 this should work in your favor overall. Real grill material will also give the one (thin) red vane good structural support
3) apply some flat black body wrap to the car in a shape and size that fits completely under the pseudo vent openings. Applying the flat black wrap to the car not only blacks out the pseudo vents, it should also give the pseudo vents some visual sense of depth under their grill.
4) install the vents
5) Only downside is keeping the black body wrap clean without constantly taking the vents off
IIRC, this is basically what Porsche did (in a much more sophisticated fashion) in 2005 when they went to the big vents. If I’m not mistaken the 2005 interior body vent openings are about the same size as the earlier cars.
__________________
Rgds, Fred
#317 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition 2004 Boxster S, 3.8L Flat Six Innovations engine, PSS9s, etc, etc . . . The contents of my posts are for entertainment only. As confirmed by my many motor sports fails, I am not qualified to give product endorsements or mechanical advice
IMHO that’s the best look so far. I’d say it’s a decent 10 footer. At the least I’d add black, flat grill material (real flat grill material, not rain gutter mesh) behind the real vent openings to give them a ‘bottom’ to look similar to the false openings. This tricks the eye into looking ‘at’ the vent, not ‘through’ the vent. Just be sure to get grill material that flows enough air. Automotive Goop is your friend for bonding the grills. It remains flexible, has a reasonable working time and forms a strong bond on properly prepared surfaces.
To take it to the next level (required IMHO but you never know what it’s really gonna look like until you do it and those vents are relatively expensive)
1) carefully cut out the lower two openings, fill, sand and repaint the vent as necessary
2) add the same black grill material behind the new openings. One piece for the lower two openings. It will be close to the surface due to the vent design but it is what it is. In conjunction with step 3 this should work in your favor overall. Real grill material will also give the one (thin) red vane good structural support
3) apply some flat black body wrap to the car in a shape and size that fits completely under the pseudo vent openings. Applying the flat black wrap to the car not only blacks out the pseudo vents, it should also give the pseudo vents some visual sense of depth under their grill.
4) install the vents
5) Only downside is keeping the black body wrap clean without constantly taking the vents off
IIRC, this is basically what Porsche did (in a much more sophisticated fashion) in 2005 when they went to the big vents. If I’m not mistaken the 2005 interior body vent openings are about the same size as the earlier cars.
I agree with OCG... decent 10 footer. Looks far better without the mesh. Proceed with OCG's recommendations and it'll really shine.
On another note... have you considered side decals? The ones that run on the bottom from wheel-well to wheel-well? That might look nice in black.
It’s ok, but I think the mesh behind would look better.
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2001 Boxster S Lapis Blue
TS Cat Bypass Pipes and exhaust
iPad Mini Dash Install
DEPO Tail Lights
From the Explo forum ‘after saws-all operation on the fender’:
Not sure what it’s venting because I’m certain it doesn’t connect with the engine compartment. I’ve seen worse from a cosmetic standpoint..
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
Rgds, Fred
#317 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition 2004 Boxster S, 3.8L Flat Six Innovations engine, PSS9s, etc, etc . . . The contents of my posts are for entertainment only. As confirmed by my many motor sports fails, I am not qualified to give product endorsements or mechanical advice
Well I'm done. Looked into cutting out the bottom 2 indents but they have metal mesh inside the fiberglass. I think I'm gonna leave them on awhile and see how I feel about them.
I think I need some side skirts. Any recommendations, pics?
Those skirts are fugly. FUGLY. They look like they weigh 800 pounds.
And that thing on the bumper cover... looks like someone thought, "What other kind of **************** can I glue on my car". No. Stay away from that look. Even rear diffusers would look better than that $.99 Store look
Parts Car, car parts
Honda Del Sol(s)
"Hers"
My Original '99
The 78 F350
This
That
The S 2.5
Other
Butzi
That being said, and since you asked...no sir, I don't like it...or more appropriately I should say it's not something I would have done BUT if you like it, then I'll chime in with suggestions. First, I think any 'surface treatments' (paint, decals, etc) will just make it look more 'stuck on'. On a somewhat similar situation, awhile back we wanted to install interior plantation style shutters in our house...we really liked the look but one room just seemed unbalanced (like there should be a window on a wall, but wasn't)...my solution was to trim out the size of a window and install the shutter in the fake opening. The result was good, but still looked "stuck on', so I had a mirror cut to the size of the 'opening' and re-hung the shutter...the result is impressive and the effect is that of a window due to the added depth. I would think you could accomplish the same effect...cut out the bottom holes, install your mesh behind, and behind mesh use a plastic mirror. You could try a 'mock up on the upper holes before you cut out the lowers. Anyway, just my suggestion.
2001 Boxster S
Hybrid Mode
