Blobeye Gril Refresh Ideas (Picture Heavy)
 

Well after plenty advice, but unfortunately no pictures I decided to create my own basic thread on upgrading your Blobeye grill.

Firstly remove the fecker, there are a series of clips on the top, and two at the bottom that need a long screwdriver to reach.

No pics of this being removed, but to be honest this is child play.



This image is one of google search as I forgot to take one of my own car ;)

http://hillparktaekwondo.com/pink2.jpg




As you can see mine has faded quite a bit on the right hand side.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps96767a4f.jpg




Now it's out as one unit, unclip the 7 metal clips using either pliers or a flat screw driver, and unclip the mesh grill from the top

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psd2d67356.jpg




It might seem harsh, but it worked for, cut out the centre emblem and frame, I did this slowly to ensure I didnt scratch the fascia keeping well away from the main fascia. Dont forget to rest the unit one something soft so not to scratch it whilst you do it.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psad97a5f9.jpg




The upper side was easier to cut, and to be honest this will be more hidden once installed.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps44e2c0ca.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps4d4be2f8.jpg




Harsh but fair.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psd0a3726e.jpg




The bottom part is one you need to be more careful with, but to be honest take your time and ensure you dont accidentally gouge the facia to save prep later. I used nibblers raher than a saw, but in hindsight it might have been easier with the saw.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psb75be1b3.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8d70cd71.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps68bcb45a.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps90bfe280.jpg




Dremel and sanding down required.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps26ff7861.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps9b866d5f.jpg




Flatted out the chopped out area and roughed up the whole panel.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...pse5875969.jpg




Washed down

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psc634a315.jpg




Filler required.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps0740f3e2.jpg




Roughly done, but my first effort

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps7f623574.jpg




Sanded down, quite please, but feeling anal about it being right :D

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps6c2af88a.jpg




Washed down, and filler again, and sanded again.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psc634a315.jpg




Cleaned thorough with soap and water to remove all grime and grease

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8545ab5f.jpg




Several primer coats.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8668fe72.jpg




Slight ridge bugging me to hell ;)

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...pscd6ea64d.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps70e297fb.jpg




More filling LOL

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps72953efb.jpg




Now happy after fine sanding down ;)

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psb065bd23.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps39b232fc.jpg




Satin black coat number 1

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps2b833625.jpg




3 coats later.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps45fcd64c.jpg




Painted the metal clips in the meantime, as they looked shat :D

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps1cbe8a02.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps837bbd05.jpg




Install grill, using newly painted clips, try hooking the top on first as its a pest in the corners if you don't.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psb9536254.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps74906131.jpg




Very pleased with the result

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps72d0ca06.jpg




Yes I lost one clip, I will look tomorrow as it's gone dark out ;(

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps04e5fc08.jpg

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psa00d990a.jpg


Oh and I laquered the whole thing too with three coats, as its clear that these can be subject to stone chips.



Test fit.

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psd5ef1e0c.jpg

now do the sti badge black :)

good right up rob, good to see it went well

Yeah I wasn't sure whether to leave it, as it kind of breaks it up, plus I've still got the ghey pink fog stickers :D

a bit of heat and they come off easy enough.

Looks good mate crackin write up for anyone too

Great write up!, ive been looking at other grills but this has got me thinking now... :idea: :thumb:

If anyones thinking of doing this and has the grille with the blue subaru badge, I have the pink badge grille and would like to swap for the blue one

Cheers, its a bit of a rough write up, but its idiot proof, I mean it must be, I did it :D

Do it, its simple, just a little time needed. To cut and prep, 1 hour max, and that with taking pictures and being anal about it. this took me around 2 hours actual work with filler drying time, and around 6 hours with paint coats allowing 1 hour between coats. :thumb:

Just buy a replacement Oval bud, and whilst it out paint the fecker :lol1:, as your likely looking at P&P costs otherwise for both grills which out weighs the point you can replace the oval http://dsa.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_tr...at=0&_from=R40

Rob

Brilliant!

looks good mate

Cheers. Picture don't do it justice nor does the test fit as I've yet to complete the Blobeye light upgrade. Plus I'm putting some hella sirens behind the grill.

I'm around half way with the look I want at the front of the car.

Rob

Great right up pal looks ace

Looking good , I did the same to the front of my hawkeye ;)

Nice job.

good job m8 :)

One I've just done over the weekend for a chap on here. If anyone else wants there's doing, please drop me a pm

Rob

Before

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps90a20b3f.jpg



Serious amount of chopping with this one, it was quite stubborn ( mrs wasn't too happy about me doing it on her table lol)

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps910c2c98.jpg



Filled and primer coat

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps894b0bed.jpg



3 coats of satin black

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps964fecf1.jpg



Lacquer coated three times

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps9eea8cf0.jpg




Sturdily wrapped and on its way back :D

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/y...psaf07544c.jpg

fancy doing another one mate?

Sure, I think the last chap gave me £30 and he sorted out all the carriers.

Is this ok?

Rob

Looks superb:cool:,Good work mate.SJ.

Looks impressive.if I hadnt of just bought a pink grille badge I would of gone down this route.great work

pm'd

Have you got it back Kieran?

My grill is split so I may attempt this & repair it at the same time