Guide: How To Colour Code a Mark1 Grill

[Richy25988]

This is a basic step by step guide on how to colour code a MK1 grill and citroen chevrons. This is also my first guide so opinions wanted.

Items Needed:
10MM Spanner/Socket
Phillips Screwdriver
Flat Headed Screwdriver
Rough & Fine Sandpaper
Plastic Primer
Desired Paint
Clear Lacquer


Step 1: Removing the Grill

First thing you will need to do is open the bonnet. Next, you need to remove 3 10MM bolts from above where the grill is situated, along the top of the slam panel.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/08012009308.jpg

You should not notice that the top of the grill is free to move, Now you need to remove the indicator with flat headed screwdriver and take out this U bend clip:
http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/6666969/PICT0004.jpg
Thank you to user "666" for this image.
Now you need to free the bottom. This can be done by using a flat head screwdriver to very carefully prize it away from under the headlight, making sure you do not snap or bend the pieces which hold the grill bellow the headlight.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/08012009309.jpg
Now with some slight force the whole grill should come free.


Step 2: Removing the Inner Grill & Chevrons

Flip the grill upside down and you should see some screws holding the inner grill in place, unscrew these and keep them safe. Next, using a flat headed screwdriver prize away the retaining clips holding the inner grill in place too. Then it should come free.
The Chevrons and held in place by the same retaining clips as the inner grill you just took off.


Step 3: Prepping and spraying

With some rough sandpaper, sand down the inner grill and any imperfections you may have, then once happy with the finish rub down with fine sandpaper to get a smooth surface. This is essential to give the primer a good hold to the grill.
Also do the same for the chevrons.
When you are happy with the finish, apply a thin coat of primer, remembering not to spray in one place or too close as this can cause it to run. This grill has some difficult places to get into so concentrate on these areas first. Apply 3-4 coats of primer and leave about 10-15 minutes between coats. At this point any imperfections are magnified, and is also your last chance to get it smoother.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/05012009302.jpg
Next is the paint, I have gone for my cars colour which is Wicked Red. This stage is similar to the primer stage, but paint runs a lot easier than primer so be extremely careful not to spray in one place too much because it can very quickly build up, always remembering to do thin layers each time. Build up 5-6 layers of paint and leave around 15-20 minutes between coats.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/05012009304.jpg
Finally is lacquer. Lacquer forms a protective film over the paint and gives it extra shine, the more layers, the more shine, but 2-3 layers is fine.
Repeat everything for the chevrons and push all back into position.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/05012009303.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/05012009305.jpg
Now leave the grill in a cool and dry place for 24 hours to let the paint settle.


Step 4: Everything back together

Repeat step 1 in reverse to fit everything back together and admire your handy work!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h78/richardkeast/05012009306.jpg

Thanks for reading and any suggestions or help are welcome.

[Ben]

Good job, looks really good :y: And nice cola bottle :P

[Richy25988]

Good job, looks really good :y: And nice cola bottle :P

Lol, got to have the refreshments at hands reach! :D

[mtpagey]

nice finish mate :clapping:

good guide, only minor point i'd say would get a "before" picture of the grill on the car. then fowk can really see the difference :y:

[Richy25988]

nice finish mate :clapping:

good guide, only minor point i'd say would get a "before" picture of the grill on the car. then fowk can really see the difference :y:

Yeah ill have to dig out an old photo for that, cheers :y:

[paxo89]

i wouldn't take the grill off the way shown here. You're meant to take the indicators out and remove a plastic u-shaped clip that holds the grill to the wing.

[si_pow]

Nice one mate!!! Doing mine this weekend so im glad youve made this.

Great guide :D

Get a mod to make it a sticky me thinkies

[Richy25988]

i wouldn't take the grill off the way shown here. You're meant to take the indicators out and remove a plastic u-shaped clip that holds the grill to the wing.

Hmm, i didnt have these? maybe it was taken out before by a other owner?

[Richy25988]

Nice one mate!!! Doing mine this weekend so im glad youve made this.

Great guide :D

Get a mod to make it a sticky me thinkies

Cheers mate, Im here to help if you have any problems :y:

[LSOfreak]

Hmm, i didnt have these? maybe it was taken out before by a other owner?

ye thats true, you need to prize the indicators out and remove a white clip on each side. theres a guide for meshing a mk1 grill around

[Richy25988]

This is now stickied. I will look into this U clip and update soon. Thanks for letting me know guys.

[666]

i did mine a few weeks ago, undo the remaining bolt on each head light so there loose, then give the indicator a good hard yank, once out use a screewdriver to prise the u clip up then you can remove grill as stated above, any probs let me no

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/6666969/PICT0004.jpg

[Richy25988]

Cheers mate, would you mind if i put this image up in the guide? Ill put your name with it.

[666]

Cheers mate, would you mind if i put this image up in the guide? Ill put your name with it.

thats cool mate feel free

[Richy25988]

Now updated and showing you how to take out that pesky U clip :y:

[si_pow]

So how do the chevrons come away from the grille? Do they just prize off or what?

thanks matee :)

[Richy25988]

So how do the chevrons come away from the grille? Do they just prize off or what?

thanks matee :)

yeah just prize then off the grill, is abit tight but they will work themselves free

[si_pow]

yeah just prize then off the grill, is abit tight but they will work themselves free

...and then do they just clip back on yeah?

[Richy25988]

...and then do they just clip back on yeah?

Yep just push them back into the holes and they will clip back into place

[lewza]

Ok, would this be the same as making the grill mesh?

[Cowboi]

does anyone have a picture of a mk2 which has been colour co-ord without being meshed. im tight on cash and just wondered if it would look shit if my mk2 was done?

[Richy25988]

Ok, would this be the same as making the grill mesh?

Sort of, you take the part out that a sprayed, and then you put your mesh over the gap and secure it with a glue gun or something similar.

[Mochachino]

Ok, would this be the same as making the grill mesh?


already a guide mate

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112837

all the pics have gone though.

[lewza]

already a guide mate

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112837

all the pics have gone though.

Cheers for that mate, how come the pics have been taken off?
May pop to halfords saturday to get some mesh.
How long does this take to do?

[Mochachino]

Cheers for that mate, how come the pics have been taken off?
May pop to halfords saturday to get some mesh.
How long does this take to do?

All the pics were on my facebook lol and now changed, il redo it with pics on photobucket sometime.

It takes about 30mins, only problem youll come across is the bolts on the grill may have rusted and might spin with the nut.

[lewza]

Cheers for that mate, if you can upload pics it'd be very much appreciated!!

[twin1985]

awsome step by step guide, not to handy doin stuff like this but this guide gives me confidence to do it now cheers! :)

[piebobs71]

are the white u bend clips 100% needed as mine didnt seem to have any clips on it when i meshed it ,anyone know the part number for them?

[Rudpud]

are the white u bend clips 100% needed as mine didnt seem to have any clips on it when i meshed it ,anyone know the part number for them?

I snapped one of mine off when removing it once by accident... stays on just fine now still :)...

One thing to ask is there anyway of removing the centre grill bit for earlier mk1s (e.g. the P reg) lol
Cheers

[piebobs71]

ordered some of the white clips from citroen today along with the 2 bushes for the bottom of the gear stick in total came to 10 quid

think if you want to change the earlier grill you have to follow the widemouth guide thats on here somewhere

[JoshWestCoast]

very helpfull guide indeed

[valencia]

nice just a question wer did u get ur paints from

[jono83]

Try your local halfords they usually have the colour in stock or can match the colour for you.

[piebobs71]

got u shaped clips from citroen today if anyone wants the part number its 781325, 40p each