Side Vent update

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JBauer

??? ��

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.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by Oldcarguy

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.

Carry on!

[JBauer]

Thanks for the input. Anyone out there have a recommendation about where to get some decent looking mesh? Can't find any at local auto parts stores.

Thanks

[JBauer]

Outside pic. OCG I think you are on to something if I can cut it without ruining it

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JBauer

Outside pic. OCG I think you are on to something if I can cut it without ruining it

That outside pic looks pretty good. Taking the flat black to the outer edges of the real vent openings puts it in ‘viable’ territory. Everything is in the same visual plane now.

I just checked an eBay listing for these vents. It seems they are fiberglass. I work mostly with hot molded plastics and catalyst urethanes so I can’t be of much help regarding making the cutouts. You’ll need a precision tool to make the tight rear V cuts for sure. Variable speed dremel with a good cutting wheel? Not much material there for the lower vane. Maybe leave a mm or so of material on each side of the vane mold??

Good luck if you decide to give it a go!

[JBauer]

I've got a router but I can be scary cutting Fglass. I checked eBay and these things are expensive 😲
I got a deal for sure. Hate ti ruin them

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JBauer

I've got a router but I can be scary cutting Fglass. I checked eBay and these things are expensive ��
I got a deal for sure. Hate ti ruin them

Going for that last 2% can be hella costly. Maybe put some black mesh behind the actual vents and call it good? I’ll almost guarantee you’ll ruin at least the first one trying to go for the lower vent mod or it won’t look as good in reality as it does in the imagination

[78F350]

Originally Posted by JBauer

Outside pic. OCG I think you are on to something if I can cut it without ruining it.

This doesn't hurt my eyes as much as the earlier attempt.

[paulofto]

I think this guy is on the right track

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by paulofto

I think this guy is on the right track

I personally prefer the Land Rover/Range Rover style upper back front fender treatment (not). Some of the Explorer guys use even use real RR/LR vents and make them ‘functional’. Whatever floats your boat

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by paulofto

I think this guy is on the right track

Now now now 🙄

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by 78F350

This doesn't hurt my eyes as much as the earlier attempt.

Progress :dance:

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by JBauer

Thanks for the input. Anyone out there have a recommendation about where to get some decent looking mesh? Can't find any at local auto parts stores.

Thanks

CustomCarGrills dot com has ~30 styles plus mounting/trim accessories. Just google them. Not inexpensive but top of the line products. I’m not affiated with them in any way other than being a satisfied customer.