Why Pilot Looks Smaller Even Though It Is Similar Dimensions.

[BigDogDad]

Originally posted by glbanks

I've already customized the grill, and am working up a sports stripe package for the 2-3/16" tall channel along the sides.

Congrats on your Pilot! You made an excellent choice... and picked a great color too!

Uh... did you say you "customized the grill". Sounds great, Don't leave us hangin'...

[glbanks]

Wow! You're embarrassing me with your great Smiley setup, and I don't even know how to post pictures here.

I simply added chrome strips across the main bar (two on each side of the big H emblem) using self-stick wheel molding trim from an auto parts store ($12.95 for a 20' roll, available in chrome or gold), and then patiently painted the face of the meshwork grill with a bright silver paint applied with a small artist's brush. This is not a chrome tape, but a semi-round molding with a very tenacious adhesive on the back. I used the gold trim on a home-made trailer about three years ago, and it still looks great.

Having never seen a grill like this, I thought I had an original idea until I found photos here of some similar looking grills.

I've not seen any photos with the sport stripes like I have planned, though, so maybe at least that much is original. I'm also going to black-out the pillar right behind the rear side doors, much like the Chrysler Pacifica.

[il38694]

Please post a picture of the sports stripe when you get it done. Thanks in advance.

[74PILOTMOM]

Originally posted by glbanks
Wow! You're embarrassing me with your great Smiley setup, and I don't even know how to post pictures here.

I simply added chrome strips across the main bar (two on each side of the big H emblem) using self-stick wheel molding trim from an auto parts store ($12.95 for a 20' roll, available in chrome or gold), and then patiently painted the face of the meshwork grill with a bright silver paint applied with a small artist's brush. This is not a chrome tape, but a semi-round molding with a very tenacious adhesive on the back. I used the gold trim on a home-made trailer about three years ago, and it still looks great.

Having never seen a grill like this, I thought I had an original idea until I found photos here of some similar looking grills.

I've not seen any photos with the sport stripes like I have planned, though, so maybe at least that much is original. I'm also going to black-out the pillar right behind the rear side doors, much like the Chrysler Pacifica.

WOW! Ambitious! Blacking out the C pillar will really make the Pilot look longer. Sounds neat. We're all eager for pics here if you can't tell So far I'm loving the chrome strips from member, Ratso. And VTM-4 emblem from wwong. Have fun with it

[glbanks]

I'll have pictures for sure, but someone will have to teach me how to post the phtos here.

I'm supposed to pick up my stripe kit tomorrow, so I should have it installed and the photos taken by sometime Friday.

2005 Honda Pilot EX-L (silver)
2005 Honda CRF250X dirt bike (red)
2004 Honda CRF230F play bike (red)
(product reviewer for the above CRF's at www.crfsonly.com)
2001 Honda Gold Wing touring bike (Illusion Red)
1997 Honda 300 4x4 ATV (red with mud trim)

[BigDogDad]

Originally posted by glbanks
then patiently painted the face of the meshwork grill with a bright silver paint applied with a small artist's brush.

Having never seen a grill like this, I thought I had an original idea until I found photos here of some similar looking grills.

That must look great. Sounds like you'll be driving one unique Pilot pretty soon. Let us know how it turns out.

[glbanks]

Well, it's done! I've posted 'Before and After" pictures in the gallery.

Please let me know what you think.

The lower stripes were easy, but covering the pillar withot traping any bubbles underneath was a bit... uh... that is... a bit difficult.

I drove down and showed it to the Honda dealer, and he asked me to do the same thing to a brand new gold one!

[BigDogDad]

Originally posted by glbanks
Well, it's done! I've posted 'Before and After" pictures in the gallery.

Please let me know what you think.

The lower stripes were easy, but covering the pillar withot traping any bubbles underneath was a bit... uh... that is... a bit difficult.

I drove down and showed it to the Honda dealer, and he asked me to do the same thing to a brand new gold one!

Nice job! It's unique. I like the 4x4 on the front bumper and door. Hard to tell by the pic, but did you cut the lower stripe to let the paint show thru or was that added ontop of the stripe? Tough to see how the grill is painted, need a close-up.

The pillar came out great, nice subtle look to it. Almost hard to notice at first which is the way it should be. Are you going to tint the front windows to complete the "blacked out" look?

I noticed your name on the door in the background, is this your line of work? geez, didn't know you were a ringer here! Congrats!

[glbanks]

Thanks for the kind words, BigDog.

I had originally planned to have the stripe cut to let the vehicle color show through for the "4x4" lettering, but that would have made it more difficult to install the stripe at just the right spot, so I ultimately opted to just add the lettering on top of the stripe. Luckily, the silver vinyl is a good match to the Pilot's color.

My name on the door of the motorcycle trailer? I raced Motocross and Observed Trials (Southeastern USA Expert Champion in 1975) here and in Europe for a number of years, but I was never good enough for the Pro level, so it was always just for fun. I was sponsored by Kawasaki a few years, though. I'm 57 now and although I still enter a race now and then, I'm no longer competitive except in the Over 50 class, which is rarely used due to having too few entries. Now I'm just a trail rider who races with other old farts in the woods. I have a KTM 200 EXC racing bike, a Honda CRF250X trail bike, and a Honda CRF230F playbike. (And a Honda 4x4 ATV, a Honda GL1800 Gold Wing touring bike, and a Kawasaki 1200 sport bike.)

[BigDogDad]

Originally posted by glbanks

My name on the door of the motorcycle trailer?

Oh man, I'm going to have to change my name to "BlindDog"! I just looked at the pic again... The trailers doors remind me of a 4x4 place I know, they have a ton of graphics on the fronts doors advertising their work & products. I guess I just figured that you did this for a living. I must be ready for the weekend!

[djhansensr]

The black-out of the pillar looks really nice. What a difference!