BAMF 3rd Gen Recessed Raptor Style Grille

I hear you. The problem being here is if the coating is "compromised" this easily then there seems to be a bit of an issue. If we want to keep discussing this, the grill fit fairly bad in the first place, it required some massaging to get it to fit in the opening, unsure if this is why the previous owner sold it but its understandable. Some of the holes don't line up, causing the bolts to go in sideways, potentially digging into the coating and "compromising" the coating. But that was only a few, I would understand if those showed some signs of rust, but no its EVERY hole. To me that shows an inherent problem with the design and/or finish of the grill.

Like I said before, I like the looks of the grill a lot (and that is the only reason it is not being pulled off and sold) and I am not trying to give your company a bad name but this is an issue that is worth noting to everyone else and is something you should address with a better answer than "put some RTV on it".

 

IDK about that man. I don't believe it's due to an installation issue. I hate when company's just throw that as a cop out. The photos he posted didn't show any signs of the bolts being over tightened. I think it's just an issue with having a hard material such as a bolt directly contacting a piece of metal that is on an edge. Any painter or powder coater knows that edges are always thin spots on paint or powder coating. A little nylon grommet would solve the issue or some sort of O ring.

I think as time goes one we will see more people come forward about the rust issues with these grills.

Just a neutral party here, I still think you have the best designed grills.

 

This is my plan as of now. This is a sliver of Nitro R/C fuel tubing that should prevent the bolt from moving around as it is getting tightened down.

 

That should work as long as it does not make the head of the bolt stick out. You might want to share exactly what size tubing it is so that anyone else could do this to as a preventive measure.

 

I will post the exact tubing once the paint dries and I test fit inside the hole and make sure everything fits well. It is compressible so I think it will fit within the bolt hole regardless.

 

Yeah and if we made it easier to fit in the opening with a loose fit people would complain that there is a gap. It's built to fit perfectly in the opening the only way for it to fit without gaps.

No problem with the design or the finish you got one of the first grilles that went out that had under sized holes the I owned up to and the customers were informed and I was told to ship them.

 

The problem I see, is that you are blaming BAMF for an issue that could have easily been caused by the previous owner of your grille. You don't know if he re-drilled the mounting holes, completely removing the powdercoating or if he somehow tweaked the grille to cause it not to fit perfectly. @JLee is an easy target, but it is likely something the PO did to the grille.

 

That's a point worth mentioning, but the grill showed no signs of misinstallation or anything when I got it. Either way, I won't sit here any defend my point of view. Everyone else can form their own opinion and decide for themselves.

 

Ok what about guy who posted pictures earlier today? He has the same exact issues with the rust and then the pictures were removed. About a month ago someone else mentioned the rust by the bolts and their post is nowhere to be found.

I would understand your logic if this was a one off ordeal.

The point is to fix the problem and prevent this from happening to others. Not pointing fingers and sweeping it under the rug.

 

Maybe the guy that posted the pictures removed them himself? Not having seen either of these grilles firsthand, I can only speculate, which leaves a lot on the table. My point is that there are other valid explanations for why a couple grilles have shown rust issues. There are two (or more) sides to every story. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

Sorry for trying to contribute and help figure out a solution. We will see how these do after a winter or two.

 

No worries, like I said, many sides to every story.

 

Hey removed his post before I even seen it and has been in contact with me via PM. Again if the coating is scratched in any way rust will form that's with any steel part. I can definitely look into rubber grommets so that people are not cutting into the coating.

 

Good to hear man!

 

It would be cool if you found some rubber grommets for the grills that haven't been made or shipped out yet. I ordered a grill and it is supposed to be ready somewhere around the end of October. Or, if you can't include the grommets for those of us who have already ordered, maybe let us know what would work (provide a link if possible) so we can grab some to use when we install.

 

Already looking into it.

 

Knock knock!

Who's there?

Aluminum!

Aluminum who?

Aluminum I wish you would.

 

Are the holes necessary for install or anything? Maybe just eliminate it. Bolt heads give it a good look but if its creating problems, just eliminate it if it serves no purpose.

 

No problem about $1000 and they can be made from .125 5052.

 

Yes they are it's how it's bolted on to the souround.