Has anyone had any luck making a mesh cover that is painted flat black and therefore not noticeable? I'd like to do something like this, but I have no clue to to attach it to the vehicle.

 

Here you go:

 

I'll be doing this.
Maybe this weekend. If so, I'll have pics and a DIY up.

 

Check out this thread for grill ideas: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...rocks-not.html

 

Here is my grille. I have a base model so the opening is different. The openings appear to be larger than the sport model! Oh well, it is fixed now.



See the zip ties? No?




How about now? You can't see them when standing in front of the car because of their position. You can't even see that that well when looking right at them.


This is the mesh that I bought... eBay Motors: UNIVERSAL BLACK ALUMINUM MESH GRILLE GRILL 12" X 48" (item 270345393847 end time Mar-17-09 21:11:22 PDT)


Installation was not bad at all as I did not have to remove the bumper.
1. Open hood.
2. Remove the clips holding the top cover on.
3. Use a piece of cardboard to make a template.
4. Insert cardboard down into the grill and press forward.
5. Trim areas needed and refit.
6. Trace cardboard template onto mesh by scratching the mesh with a screwdriver or some other sharp tool.
7. Cut mesh.
8. Slide down into bumper. Will only have to bend it slightly.
9. Push forward as far as you can.
10. Find the tabs that are on the back of the stock grill. (Rectangles in pic below.)
11. Cut holes in mesh around those tabs with wire snips and push over them.
12. Use zip ties to secure in locations on pic below. (Circles in pic below.)



Sorry about the 3rd grade photoshop. I'm lazy but you get the idea.

 

excellent pics.

 

Nice write up.

I think your post needs to be a sticky!

Thanks for taking the time to do it.

I will get'R done this weekend at my first 5K mile oil change.

 

When I asked my State Farm agent about it she said it would fall under collision and would be subject to my deductible. I've heard other companies having it fall under comprehensive... guess it just depends on the company.

 

The OP should consider that a new condenser does only cost $200-300 and he can install it himself without too much difficulty if he's handy capable. A good chunk of Honda's fee is for labor. That's probably cheaper than your insurance deductible.

 

Yep, i'm planning on swapping it out myself. Was just hoping Honda would offer some goodwill toward it like i've heard they do for some people in this situation since it seems to be a design defect issue.

 

Anyone checked their engine/coolant temperature before and after installing the mesh?

 

yeah, i was kinda wondering the same thing.

 

It won't make that much of a difference to even worry about, we're talking about a fraction of a degree. Besides, you've got a couple inches between the grille and the radiator/condenser to allow the air to spread back out (can't remember the word, my physics professor is gonna kill me) before it hits the radiator.

Having the AC turned on will make more of a difference on coolant temperatures.

 

After losing 1 condenser on my RSX - which was fixed under warranty, the Acura dealer said it was small enough of a rock hit they could pass it off as a defect, but not if it was more noticeable... Honda would balk. I had a grill after that, and put one on the Fit as soon as I could.

Cheap insurance. But yes, that gaping hole is just a bad bad idea they constantly repeat.

 

Well I think this thread has got us all concerned and forcing an unplanned mod into our weekend schedules.

eBay Motors: 2009 09 Honda FIT SPORT Mesh Grille Grill Overlay Kit (item 160325441392 end time Apr-10-09 23:30:41 PDT)

Has anyone looked at that? I can't get the larger picture to load up because it's blocked here at work, so I can't tell how good it looks. It's aluminum that is pre-cut for our GEs and it's just an overlay, so you install from the front. It's also relatively cheap.

 

My 95 civic was victim to this, I installed a perf. alum. grill on my GD

 

I'm not liking that...it looks cheap. I think I'm installing it behind the grille so its more aesthetically pleasing.

 

I'm thinking something could bounce up from underneath and hit the condenser as well. One thought would be to wrap a steel mesh right up on the condenser, instead of a grill insert... it would also retain the same look anyhow. Doable?

 

huh, that mesh actually makes the car look better too.

nice job.

 

That grill is sweet.
Dealers suck.