Putco Virtual Tubular Grille Inserts

AllBlkdOut07 · April 28, 2008

After realizing what a PITA it is to clean the mesh on the stock painted grille I decided to get something like an insert and make it look more custom. I know a lot of guys are down on bolt ons, but I did some research and found a set that I think looks like it would look ok. Especially because the mesh behind the inserts is black, you won't see it when the grille is sitting vertically on the truck. I haven't seen anyone with this Tubular Grille Insert, but I like the large surface area which shows nice and will be easy to polish/wax IMO. I had it black gloss powdercoated with extra clear gloss powdercoat for added durability.

I had my old W/T grille that I tried painting and messed up with Fusion paint, repainted by an auto body shop. They had to paint it three times since their paint reacted with the Fusion paint, even though the Fusion paint had a chance to dry for 8 months . It came out nice and I'm glad I was able to salvage it. Plus, I'm thinking since it's black plastic it will show stone chips less than my painted chrome grille.

Here are some pics of the newly painted grille and powdercoated inserts off of the truck, not yet installed.

Zembonez · April 28, 2008

Awesome! Perfect addition to the Sinister Chevy.

AllBlkdOut07 · April 28, 2008

Thanks Zembonez..lol

For the bowtie I'm thinking of getting a billet bowtie, are those billet bowties all metal or is there some plastic on the backside of those? I would get it powdercoated in either a matte black, or a textured black.

2000DV4.8 · April 28, 2008

Nice! Maybe try some of that 3M clear film stuff as added insurance against chips?

When you say textured black for the bowtie, are you talking Linex?

AllBlkdOut07 · April 28, 2008

Yeah I think someone mentioned trying that stuff, maybe it was you. I also think once my grille guard is on the truck it will help to protect it too. Powdercoated is pretty durable against chips too, of course the paint will chip pretty easily, but there is some strong stuff on there considering there's fully cured bonded Fusion paint underneath what they painted overtop.

AllBlkdOut07 · April 28, 2008

If I just use the plastic bowtie I will have it LineX'd with Xtra, but if I get a billet bowtie I may get it powdercoated either a matte black or a textured powdercoat which would be different and set it off a bit still keeping with the all black theme .

AllBlkdOut07 · April 28, 2008

Hmmm, I know I haven't seen (or anyone else has for that matter) colormatched billet inserts on too many forums...I have left everyone speechless I guess (with the exception of my two buddies JB and DV200NJ), or are people just confused cause they see a grille but no truck attached to it?

Zembonez · April 28, 2008

Hmmm, I know I haven't seen (or anyone else has for that matter) colormatched billet inserts on too many forums...I have left everyone speechless I guess (with the exception of my two buddies JB and DV200NJ), or are people just confused cause they see a grille but no truck attached to it?

NAH... they're just waiting on one of your play by play picture posts with pics of it installed... kinda like that black exhaust thread.

slomo007 · April 28, 2008

Thanks Zembonez..lol

For the bowtie I'm thinking of getting a billet bowtie, are those billet bowties all metal or is there some plastic on the backside of those? I would get it powdercoated in either a matte black, or a textured black.

Billet bowties are all metal, front and back.

In fact, I have one for sale if you're interested for a NBS chevy. PM me for more info.

AllBlkdOut07 · April 29, 2008

Hmmm, I know I haven't seen (or anyone else has for that matter) colormatched billet inserts on too many forums...I have left everyone speechless I guess (with the exception of my two buddies JB and DV200NJ), or are people just confused cause they see a grille but no truck attached to it?

NAH... they're just waiting on one of your play by play picture posts with pics of it installed... kinda like that black exhaust thread.

Ha..I meant to say my buddy Zembonez, JB posted a reply on another site..sorry pal

AllBlkdOut07 · April 29, 2008

Thanks Zembonez..lol

For the bowtie I'm thinking of getting a billet bowtie, are those billet bowties all metal or is there some plastic on the backside of those? I would get it powdercoated in either a matte black, or a textured black.

Billet bowties are all metal, front and back.

In fact, I have one for sale if you're interested for a NBS chevy. PM me for more info.

If it's for a NBS I'm not interested cause it won't fit my truck, but if it's for a NNBS ('07 New New Bodystyle) then I would take it off your hands

VMax2007 · April 29, 2008

If it's for a NBS I'm not interested cause it won't fit my truck, but if it's for a NNBS ('07 New New Bodystyle) then I would take it off your hands

Your truck is a NBS Chevy. Please tell me what is "new" about a GMT800 bodystyle? If we simply add an "N" to it every time GM changed bodystyles, I think we would be at about NNNNNNNNNNNNNBS by now.

GMT900 = NBS

GMT800 = OBS

GMT400 = GMT400

etc, etc.

AllBlkdOut07 · April 29, 2008

If it's for a NBS I'm not interested cause it won't fit my truck, but if it's for a NNBS ('07 New New Bodystyle) then I would take it off your hands

Your truck is a NBS Chevy. Please tell me what is "new" about a GMT800 bodystyle? If we simply add an "N" to it every time GM changed bodystyles, I think we would be at about NNNNNNNNNNNNNBS by now.

GMT900 = NBS

GMT800 = OBS

GMT400 = GMT400

etc, etc.

On other forums the GMT900 is referred to as the NNBS. My bad

cambo · April 29, 2008

If it's for a NBS I'm not interested cause it won't fit my truck, but if it's for a NNBS ('07 New New Bodystyle) then I would take it off your hands

Your truck is a NBS Chevy. Please tell me what is "new" about a GMT800 bodystyle? If we simply add an "N" to it every time GM changed bodystyles, I think we would be at about NNNNNNNNNNNNNBS by now.

GMT900 = NBS

GMT800 = OBS

GMT400 = GMT400

etc, etc.

On other forums the GMT900 is referred to as the NNBS. My bad

Well they are retarded.

I like the black tubular grill. Don't lin-x or powdercoat the bowtie, but get it painted black.

iminaquagmire · April 29, 2008

Very nice. I like that insert a lot. Too bad it doesn't come as a cut-out. As for the billet bowtie, I think you should paint it the same gloss black as the shell.