Billet Grill Material Types
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ABS Plastic Billet Grilles
Widely used across the entire automobile accessories spectrum, ABS Plastic is a lightweight, rigid and durable thermoplastic material. ABS Plastic is not as strong as stainless steel or aluminum. It offers the least protection, deflecting under finger pressure. The cheapest look of all billet grill material available is the ABS Plastic.
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Aluminum Billet Grilles
The material most widely used in the billet grill industry is aluminum. Aluminum is known for its strength, versatility, low-density, durability. However it is too flimsy, which explains why parts tend to bend out of shape after a while. The major problem, however, is that all are vulnerable to corrosion. While there are seven different types of aluminum alloy, billet grill manufacturers use either the 5xxx or 6xxx series. The difference between these two types is that 5xxx series aluminum uses magnesium as its principal alloy, which makes it mildly to moderately strong, while the 6xxx series relies on a mixture of magnesium and silicon to produce higher-strength aluminum.
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Stainless Steel Billet Grilles
Known all over the world for its strength and rust resistance, stainless steel is a popular metal used for manufacturing billet grills. The reason that it resists rust so successfully is its high chromium content. In fact, for steel to be considered stainless, it must contain at least 10.5% chromium.
As with aluminum, types of stainless steel vary. Of the two types used in billet grills, the less costly 409 series is commonly used for many different automotive accessories because of its sturdiness. The other type of stainless steel, 304, is another popular automotive metal chosen for its much brighter and better finish. It has higher chromium content for the ultimate in corrosion resistance. S.E.S. Trims uses only 304 stainless and then the finish is triple chrome-plated, an S.E.S. exclusive. In addition, S.E.S. grills are constructed of rectangular tubing for exceptional strength and reflectivity, rather than round tubing that is much weaker and cannot produce a mirror effect. One S.E.S. user actually stood on a grill component supported by wood blocks, with absolutely no damage to the trim (he weighs about 200 lbs.)!
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Billet Grill Installation
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Relax. Installing a new billet grill on your vehicle is easier than you think. If you know how to use a screwdriver and a ratchet wrench, you have just what it takes to mount most billet grills.
Billet grills can be divided into two categories based on their installation type: bolt over billet grills and replacement billet grills. Let's take a look at how they work.
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Bolt Over Billet Grilles
These billet grills are the easiest, least time-consuming to install. Rather than completely replacing your existing grill work, a Bolt Over Billet Grill sits right on top of your existing one. These have pre-attached hidden bolts and use brackets and locknuts for a solid, secure and simple installation. They require no drilling or cutting of any kind.
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Replacement Billet Grilles
Unlike a Bolt Over Billet Grille that sits right on top of your stock grill, a Replacement Billet Grill is a complete transformation. Everything that your auto manufacturer installed in the grill section will be taken off in exchange for your personally chosen new billet grill. This means that you will have to perform a bit of bodywork, but it is not as bad as it sounds. Most stock grills are mounted by plastic brackets, so all you have to do is slice through them with a saw, which should take no more than 20 minutes.
Once the original is out, your new Replacement Billet Grill takes its place. On certain vehicles, some easy drilling might be needed. Although the Replacement Billet Grills take longer to install, the final result makes the time worth while.
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