Mesh Grill on OEM Bumper Installed!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
05 E55
Mesh Grill on OEM Bumper Installed!
Fellas..
The bugs on the radiator and the random wires hanging down that can be seen on the front of the car was really annoying me. And so did the outrageous prices of front aftermarket bumpers with mesh grills…
So I hit up my local Hardware store and came across some heavy duty mesh material for $1.50 a piece. It was originally intended for gutter guard use, but what the heck…it looks and is just a tough as regular mesh.
So I proceeded to take off the front bumper. Quite simple actually and took about ½ an hour. I found instructions by searching on this site.
Here is the shot of the bumper: I guess I seemed to be missing the strip in the middle, but who cares because I was about to make it better anyway.
Now, here is what I purchased. $1.50 for a strip. I ended up cutting it into four pieces so I can manage it well when I put it on. Notice the clips it comes with. I'll use them later.
Here is it is installed on the rear. Each piece fit perfectly on each opening of the front bumper. The Mesh Grill (gutter Guard) came with clips that help clip it to a gutter, but fit perfectly to clip it on the bumper. The top part is secured by tucking it under the foam. Some bending and molding was necessary to get the perfect fit.
Here is what it looks like from the front:
I then picked it up and slid the bumper back on to get an idea of what it looked like. Again, pretty easy. The mesh needed to be ‘molded’ a little bit more to get the perfect fit.
I then took the mesh off, painted it with a glossy exterior black spray paint, then hit it up with a few coats of clear coat. About $5 at the hardware store. I put the bumper back on and…
It’s subtle, looks OEM and hides the radiator and wires!
Total cost? $8.
Just thought I’d share with you fellow CLK’ers and give you an idea to build on….
Let me know if you should have any questions or comments!
Thanks,
-Raceen
The bugs on the radiator and the random wires hanging down that can be seen on the front of the car was really annoying me. And so did the outrageous prices of front aftermarket bumpers with mesh grills…
So I hit up my local Hardware store and came across some heavy duty mesh material for $1.50 a piece. It was originally intended for gutter guard use, but what the heck…it looks and is just a tough as regular mesh.
So I proceeded to take off the front bumper. Quite simple actually and took about ½ an hour. I found instructions by searching on this site.
Here is the shot of the bumper: I guess I seemed to be missing the strip in the middle, but who cares because I was about to make it better anyway.
Now, here is what I purchased. $1.50 for a strip. I ended up cutting it into four pieces so I can manage it well when I put it on. Notice the clips it comes with. I'll use them later.
Here is it is installed on the rear. Each piece fit perfectly on each opening of the front bumper. The Mesh Grill (gutter Guard) came with clips that help clip it to a gutter, but fit perfectly to clip it on the bumper. The top part is secured by tucking it under the foam. Some bending and molding was necessary to get the perfect fit.
Here is what it looks like from the front:
I then picked it up and slid the bumper back on to get an idea of what it looked like. Again, pretty easy. The mesh needed to be ‘molded’ a little bit more to get the perfect fit.
I then took the mesh off, painted it with a glossy exterior black spray paint, then hit it up with a few coats of clear coat. About $5 at the hardware store. I put the bumper back on and…
It’s subtle, looks OEM and hides the radiator and wires!
Total cost? $8.
Just thought I’d share with you fellow CLK’ers and give you an idea to build on….
Let me know if you should have any questions or comments!
Thanks,
-Raceen
Last edited by str8ridin; Aug 11, 2004 at 05:51 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
2012 CLS550
Nice job! My middle piece on the lower bumper is missing as well. Maybe i'll try to install the mesh on the outside of those vertical posts... see how it looks... i'll post pics when it's done. Thanks for your pics!
Cheers,
Dominik
Cheers,
Dominik
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
05 E55
Originally Posted by Machsurfer
Just noticed that the middle piece is still there in the sig :-) must have lost it since then 
Anyway, quick update: The mesh is still on...just have to touch it up with some more paint.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 2
From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
BITER! lol, naw jk. looks coo. did this to mine last year to give it a whole diff. other look as well. i think im one of the first to do it on a 320, cause peeps always think its an aftermarket bumper
Last edited by krayzie_e99; Jan 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2000 CLK 320 W208
Geez I just replaced my heads and had the bumper off with black gutter mesh rolled up on the shelf right next to where I was working. I was missing the right piece I've ordered and am trying to figure out how to get installed without removing the bumper again. I wish I'd seen this I just LLOOOVVVEEE how this simple mod looks. Awesome work - sorry for the years later post.
