Painted My Grille

[Rab89]

Grille before (and before coilovers) -

After -

Removed Type UK badge because it was fading a bit, and I think it looks quite cluttered in that area -

Cat off to inspect my work -

New front splitter just arrived because that one has a couple of chips and cracks, so looks like that will be today's job! Trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and get it wrapped in matt black, or to get it into Ultimate Shine to remove all the swirl marks etc. Any ideas? There is a difference of £1000 in the price...

Rab.

[jonboywrx]

That front end looks really nice with the grills in black, looks a lot more agrresive!

Thumbs up to you

[scouk]

WoW! that looks sweeeeeet! I want one!!

Definately De-Swirl rather than matt

What Coilovers did you go for?

[gus the bus]

  ScoUK said:

WoW! that looks sweeeeeet! I want one!!

Definately De-Swirl rather than matt

a very subtle change with the grills but works a treat

[frank c]

The front end looks FAR better painted black.. gives it a more stealthy/menacing look.

Good job well done bud.

[Rab89]

  ScoUK said:

What Coilovers did you go for?

BC - I got them with the car. I still need to get them set up properly though, taking it through to Pro Grip once I get a noise fixed. Can't find out if the knock comes from the coilovers or if it's from something stupid like the back seats. Also needs wheel bearings because I need to replace the ABS rings, better to get that all out the way before Pro Grip I think.

Cheers for the comments

[MDScooby]

If you want the paint work to shine go and get the Meguiars Car Detailing kit, its about £25 and all you do is spray the car with the cleaning fluid and rub the clay over the body work. It gets all the swirl marks and engrained dirt out the paint and once you done that you'll find the paint will be really smooth. Give it a once over with some Mequiars Liquid Wax and it will look dogs danglys. I did it on my WRX and the car sparkled in the sun was well chuffed

[MDScooby]

stunning car by the way wish i could have afforded the STI model

[JasonW]

The clay bar doesn't remove swirl marks, just paint oxydisation (spelling??) and some small amounts of tar i have found

[scouk]

  JasonW said:

The clay bar doesn't remove swirl marks, just paint oxydisation (spelling??) and some small amounts of tar i have found

if anything claybarring can add a couple very minor scratches here and there, but nothign a quick polish wont be able to resolve.. Claybar is very good for cleaning up a surface to get rid of tar spot and any surface debris that you may not be able to see, it'd doesn't necessarily remove oxidisation, a rub down or polish would sort that out... If after you wash your car, you can run your fingers across the bodywork and it doesn't feel as smooth as glass, then the claybar process can help you get it's very smooth! Then a polish to clean up the paintwork and remove minor scratches, and get it looking sweet then finally protect with wax to seal the paint and protect it from the elements..

[Gus134]

What a stunning looking Hawkeye you have there mate,Good job with the grille

[tomwrx08]

that looks stunning mate.

[rig-pig]

much better with the black grills, o and nice clean shiny black paint, have a look in the Scottish events i am trying to sort out a meet at prestige polish, a free day out and you can see whats involved in paint correction

[wrx kenny]

stealthy

kenny

[davey l wrx]

Sweet looking car, like the grills in black.

I use Dodo Juice, Lime Prime to get rid of the swirl marks on the paint. Works a treat, use it after a wash and polish then once it's been applied and wiped off a nice coat of wax and the car will shine like a good un.

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtop...40&start=40

Mines the stickered up blobeye on page 3, 2nd or 3rd entry from the top. That was after a wash, coat of Auto Glym Ultra Deep shine polish then the Lime Prime and a coat of Dodo Juice Blue Velvet.

Edited June 16, 2010 by davey l wrx

[Spaceman]

cracking bud what wheels are those and size? suit it great.

[sinny]

That does look very nice indeed m8, got me thinking about painting my grille black also, makes a big difference, Good job m8

[mystery machine]

That's a really nice hawkeye you have there

Looks more like the standard car with the grilles painted black, but that's a good thing to my eye! The silver mesh grilles suit the blue hawks (e.g. GB270), but not so much the neutral colours IMHO

Let us know how you get on with the BCs... I need to do something about the suspension on my hawk STI - excessive body roll is preventing the car from fulfilling its potential

[mystery machine]

P.S. Removing the 'STI' decals from the front bumper suits your car too. Is that an air intake on the lower left, BTW?

[micra_wrc]

oo thats nice. Strange how such a subtle thing can change the look of the car

[Rab89]

Cheers folks.

  Spaceman said:

cracking bud what wheels are those and size? suit it great.

I don't know what type of wheels they were, had a quick look on the for sale post when I bought the car and it's not listed. They are 18s powder coated titanium grey.

  Mystery Machine said:

Is that an air intake on the lower left, BTW?

Aye, was on the car when I got it. I've not done too much to the car since I got it. Painted grilles / fitted the coilovers / new grooved disks.

  Mystery Machine said:

Let us know how you get on with the BCs... I need to do something about the suspension on my hawk STI - excessive body roll is preventing the car from fulfilling its potential

Will do. I notice a difference already tbh without them being set up. I use them on a medium setting just now, but will let whoever does the setup change that if they say so. It's not as bouncy as I expected, quite a smooth drive. You can tell it's lower though, as my splitter can catch my drive (just) if I don't angle it in - and the mud flaps scrape speed bumps!

Rab.

[mystery machine]

  Rab89 said:

Will do. I notice a difference already tbh without them being set up. I use them on a medium setting just now, but will let whoever does the setup change that if they say so. It's not as bouncy as I expected, quite a smooth drive. You can tell it's lower though, as my splitter can catch my drive (just) if I don't angle it in - and the mud flaps scrape speed bumps!

How does the bounce compare with the standard setup? I find the standard STI a bit on the bouncy side, i.e. underdamped...

Certainly be interested in hearing how they've affected steering response and body control once you're all set up and have had a chance to try them out on some twisties

P.S. The ride height you've used looks spot-on - did you fit them yourself?

[sparky_sj04]

Mate that looks awesome... BUT I WOULD SAY THAT!!!

The grille looks really good, I was going to get it done myself. Glad to see it's being well looked after.

Oh and by the way I got my retention certificate so it's all good.

P.S. - Not sure who the manufacturer of the wheels is. I bought them from PhilMC on here and then had them powdercoated. Don't think he knows what they are either though. They did have 'highspeed' centre caps if that helps.

Mark

[Rab89]

There he is! They took their time getting they documents out eh

No, I didn't fit the coilovers - I would do more harm than good at stuff like that

[sparky_sj04]

Yeah I've probably had it a good week or two though! Just forgot to tell you!

Car looks great mate. Hope you are enjoying it!!