Yeah, when i wrote "first impression" I failed to mention it was in regards to the other threads where I had read about the yellow film, but I didn't bother to search for pics. Based on yer pics, I believe I'm hooked...especially for only $35!

 

The condenser guard was $25 on ebay.
2009 09 Honda Fit Sport Mesh Grille Condenser Shield:eBay Motors (item 280395587753 end time Oct-09-09 22:45:08 PDT)
I'm very happy with it. There are other ideas posted on this site to use gutter guard or mesh, but by the time you buy that and zip ties, you have 3/4 of the price into that idea.

Fog light vinyl is available at xpel.com at 13 cents per sq/in. I bought a 10"x6" piece and it was under $8. I think I could have got by with a 5"x6" piece but I wanted to make sure I had enough. There is enough left to make another set.

Toughest part is getting into the lens to make a pattern. I took a piece of thin paper , put it in the lens and traced the perimeter. Then cut that pattern out, taped it on the vinyl and cut with scissors around the paper pattern. Worked well but I could have done better..........arts & crafts , which is what this job requires, was never my strength.

Will attempt another set when I think of an idea to make a better pattern.

 

Was that ebay guard a custom fit to the lower sport grill? And was it really a matter of removing the license plate holder to install it, or did you have to do the traditional routine of removing the plastic guard under the hood to install it? I installed mesh, but I didn't do it as good as I wanted and since it was relatively easy, I could go for a re-do with this product if it's good. But there's not enough installation details to know much about that ebay guard. Any further info is appreciated. Thanks!

Dan

 

The guard requires no cutting or trimming.........ready to place and secure.

I did not have a plate holder to remove, but that would be all that would have to be done..............no messing with the plastic under the hood.

You feed the guard through the grille opening, attach the two ends with large zip ties, then start putting all the smaller zip ties where shown on the directions.

The only tools you need are a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the ends of the zip ties through the grille and something to clip off the ends of the zip ties after installation.

 

Gave my FiT an off day.
Enjoyed driving the "new" car which is delivering an honest 5 Ltrs./100 Kms.

 

Yikes- that sounds like it could be difficult if the guard gets away from you, without the plastic cover under the hood removed first. I think I would choose to go at it the other way. It seems like this is a custom fit for the sport grille, but I'm curious about one more thing. The honda grille has 'humps' along the bottom as part of it's form. Is this mesh cut out to fit them snuggly, or is the bottom of the guard straight across, thereby creating gaps at those humps? These humps caused my job to be less than I want because the mesh is raised a bit because of them. Some people extend the mesh down to the lower clips for attachment, but I chose to try a custom fit, which worked good, but has some gaps at the bottom because of those humps on the grille.

Btw- would you mind posting a pic or two of your install? The ebay pics show very little that I can actually see. Thanks!

Dan

 

My materials were free as I had wire mess. I likely posted back in this thread somewhere. Anyhow it was more fun to dismantle the top. ANd to be neater my ties are connected on the inside and the ends trimmed inside. ALso my ties are all just under the horizontal pieces of the grille so they cannot be seem. Actually have to look close to even see the mesh as I painted it flat black.

Like the old Chevy van. My was an '83. I had four Cibies on the front. Two were driving lamps and the other two were yellow fogs. All four had snapon covers. I miss my Chevy Van. I had it for 17 years.

 

almost got t-boned by and idiot at an intersection today. I had my turn signal on and everything and he has the audacity to yell at me? He yells use your turn signal...I yelled back hey dumba$$ it is on then he realized I did have it on and took off. lol.... idiots. Funny thing was he didn't have his on....ha.

I swear half the people on the road don't deserve a license.

 

I cleaned all the bugs of my windshield this morning. Ten miles later to school, and I see about 8-9 gut splatters back on the windshield.

 

This was my approach too. Much neater. And I can't imagine how you install a guard without access from the back. There seems to be a mystery about this product and every time I try to get full answers about it...it kind of dies righ there. Hmmmm.



Dan

 

Mystery Dan? I imagine they fiddle with it for a long time to do it fromthe front. It is more fun to get some scrapes and bruises sticking your arm inside.

I did my Wal-Mart blue LED footwell lights today. Did not use any swear words!! Now must wait for the sun to go down.

 

I was done in 20 minutes.................very easy install.

 

If you go back to post # 637 in this forum (page 32), I have pictures. Click on each pic, which will take you to Photobucket, where you can zoom in on them.

It is not custom cut for the "humps", as it runs straight across the bottom. The gap across the bottom is smaller than the actual openings in the grill, so I don't foresee that being a problem. I don't know what size stones you predict coming at you...........maybe you should go for something tighter knit.

As far as the ties being cut to the inside, if you removed the upper shield you could do that if you wanted. With it being black ties on a black grille, the only thing that is going to notice where the ties are cut, is the roadkill you pass over.

From the thoughts that I have seen you place in a perfect solution, my guess is that this guard, although functional, would not suit your concerns.

I just don't want you to feel I have led you down the wrong path, if you make the decision to go with this one............. Can you tell I worry to much about what people, even strangers, think about me????

 

Today I got my Fit tinted today with 35% all around and I also changed out my headlights for something brighter..

 

LOL! Don't get a complex over ME now! I'm a relative nobody! This is a long thread- I'll take a look further back at your installation, as I missed it. Thank you very much for your help and insights. I was going to get your grille but the description on the auction was a little vague and lead me to getting the mesh everyone else is doing- which is a very good solution too. And yes, I had the fun [?] of scraping up my arms a bit installing from the back side! I can't imagine how someone can install a guard from the front side, I tell ya. I'd be the one who lets it get away from me and have to go in there and fetch it from the backside anyway! And those humps I mention don't cause a big enough gap to worry, really. With all the protection a mesh guard offers, it's a small detail. But you know how things go- you go through the trouble of installing a guard and a freakin rock makes it way into the few little gaps that aren't covered. That's my luck, at least.

Thanks a bunch for your help.

Dan

 

what kind of rims are those?

are they the correct offset, width and diameter?

 

picked up and installed JDM styled DEPO LED taillights. fits and works perfect!

 

Let's see the pics eh. Damn they do look good. Then I tell myself I cannot see them when I am driving so do I really really need them? Best put money towards the snow tire bill.

 

They're Honda accessory rims made by Enkei. They're 15X6 ET 45. 16 lbs each and I have the stock base tires with the TPMS installed on them. Just couldn't deal with the hubcaps.

Sorry for the late reply. I posted a thread about the wheels here:

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...-base-fit.html

 

i installed a 07 fit honda optional shift knob on my 09