WARNING!! To those using T-Rex billet grilles or planning to install CAUTION!

[Mustang Killa]

I have a black full phantom T-Rex billet grille which I LOVE how it looks and I had mine installed for about a month and half, took it off last night to install a clear bra..Keep in mind I detail, not wash..but detail my car every week..I spend a good 4 hrs on it, so its not as if it trapped a bunch of debris and sat there.

Anyway, once I removed the grille i discovered some pretty bad gouges in the paint from where it rubs on the inner lip of the bumper. Its almost symmetrical a few inches from the center on both sides, the pix I took are pretty forgiving from what it actually looks like..I was in a garage and a cellphone cam with no flash etc..

I contacted T Rex today and let them know about the issue in their design.

I will post up their response, if you have one or plan on installing one soon my suggestion is get some clear bra, some vinyl or some weather stripping..anything to protect the paint from the bottom edge of the grille..they look great but are dangerous to the paint.

[01pewterz28]

Sorry to here yes this is a common problem with ALL billet grilles I had the same issue on my 2001 Z/28 and I have seen several GMMG 4th Gen Camaros with this problem they need to either sand down the sharpe edges or put a rubber protector on them to protect the paint.

Sean

[Mustang Killa]

How long did it take to damage yours?..Id understand after a year or something but not even 2mos really concerns me.

[01pewterz28]

On my 01 Z/28 a month maybe less I noticed it one day when I had the car on the lift getting her detailed for a 1000pt judged show Not sure it it was the bumper moving in the wind hitting the grille ends or the grille mobing in the wind :(

[Mustang Killa]

No good..what brand was it?

[ron10]

remind me not to get one.

[RandomHB]

My new grills are sitting on the kitchen counter right now - I haven't had time to install them yet. I'm glad I saw this thread. I was talking with a buddy of mine about this, showed him the thread... Black felt tape, put on the underside of the grille should keep this from happening. I'll post back with my experience by this weekend.

[Mustang Killa]

Originally Posted by RandomHB

My new grills are sitting on the kitchen counter right now - I haven't had time to install them yet. I'm glad I saw this thread. I was talking with a buddy of mine about this, showed him the thread... Black felt tape, put on the underside of the grille should keep this from happening. I'll post back with my experience by this weekend.

Be careful felt can trap sand/rocks a dirt if it gets at all frayed, I can make a protection piece for just that area if you are interested. It would be like clear bra only for that section.

[01pewterz28]

Originally Posted by Mustang Killa

No good..what brand was it?

If I recall the brand GMMG use are by Stull that is what I have

[GreenMonster]

let me know what you find to protect it please

[racer778]

I would like to know as well (protection). I am having the Mail slot in my SS bumper filled and putting it back on my car. I already have the grile installed and will look at the other bumper to see if it was scratched

[Mustang Killa]

I'm outta town but let me see what kinds prices I can work out for u guys to protect that whole surface. Will be back in the office later tomorrow.

[Anwro]

i assume installing clear bra at 1st won't make this a problem ?

[01pewterz28]

Originally Posted by Anwro

i assume installing clear bra at 1st won't make this a problem ?

It would help bit after time I can see the sharp edges of the grille rubbing into the clear bra and into the paint.

The only two solutions I can thing of are

1. sanding down the corners to a smooth round surface and have the grille powder coated.

2. need to have molded end caps on the grille

sean