2000 SILVERADO 1500 Bow Tie Mod

[oOcornflakeOo]

Based on some work I saw on a fellow member's work, I decided to do a year/model specific entry of a blacked out bow tie modification for a 2000 SILVERADO 1500 LT.

I assume no responsibility to any damages to your vehicles. This is merely for an idea of how to pop out the bow tie on my model. just about all other steps are the same for any model.

On my truck, the bow tie has two plastic snap-in pieces on the back that hold it snugly in to the grill. I used this socket screw driver-like tool to push the plastic latches in. I started off using a flat head screw driver but was worried too much pressure would crack the bow tie so the blunt ended tool might be better to use.

Here is the tool i used in the first pic and the plastic latches on the back side of the bow tie in the second pic..


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC270050.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC270049.jpg


I've already began prep work for the paint sequence which consists of priming and multiple LIGHT COATS of desired color. After i cautiously removed the bow tie, i began sanding the glossy finish with about a 320-400 grain piece of sand paper. Too coarse of a grained sand paper could lead to a poor paint job. Like the other dude said in his bow tie affair project, 90% of the end result will be determined in the prepping process so take your time, it is VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO RUSH cause your truck ain't going no where.

Heres a pic of my emblem after being sanded and I'll put up more pics as i progress through my work.


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC270052.jpg

[oOcornflakeOo]

Hello today, I have finished painting, layering, and now all that is left if curing/drying of the coats applied earlier. I've taken a couple pics but will show the ones with the most dramatic changes of appearance.

The first coat was a metallic base sorta so that the black could go on evenly followed by 4-5 layers of black to get a uniform coat and shine.


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC280054.jpg


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC280056.jpg


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC280055.jpg


On the spray paint cans I used, it said that for maximum adhesion, wait 5-7 days so I might wait at least 3-4 so that the weather down here in Florida doesn't mess with the coats.. Once I decide to place it back onto the grill of my truck, I'll take a finished picture and post it up for you guys.

[oOcornflakeOo]

Ok, well I've already placed my bow tie on my grill but here are some pics I took to help out with the install and what I had to do to pop the grill out. I like how it came out and would recommend this inexpensive mod to anyone looking for a cheap way to make your truck a little different from other chevys out there on the road.

I'm going to post up pics as though it were the beginning of the mod. to reassemble your grill after completing the mod, just do the steps in reverse order.**

These are the (one of) seven plastic pieces that hold a plastic guard in place right above the radiator. I would suggest caution when prying these outa place cause you don't want any broken clips. a simple flat head screw driver did the job for me on these. you can see how they work in the pic.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290074.jpg

Once the guard is removed, there are four quarter-twist locks at all four corners of the grill and a bolt on the top center part of the grill.

I used a large phillip's head screw driver for the for twist locks. these twist easily.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290068.jpg

The top center bolt...

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290070.jpg

... and lastly of the grill, there are pop in clips on both extreme ends of the grill near the turn signals. Just gently pull them outa their sockets/wholes as seen here.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290066.jpg

Rather simple to do really. You just have to be gentle and everything should come off with ease.

[oOcornflakeOo]

Heres a pic of the back of my grill... You can kinda see the clips to the back of the emblem and this is where I used the blunt ended part of the socket driver to push in on the two snap in clips of the bow tie..

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290063.jpg

Repeat these steps in reverse order once you've finished painting your bow tie. Once everything is placed back the way it should be, your end result show be as shown.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290061.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC290062-1.jpg

And enjoy!!

Cost: $10-$15
Difficulty: Beginners
Time: 2-5 day process, [minus drying/setting time: 3-4 hours]

[sdavis2702]

Looks good nice write up! I did the same thing only I just newspaper and painter's tape and just covered the entire front of my truck with it... except for the bow tie. After it was the only visible part, I went through the same prep/paint steps you did, except for the amount of drying time. I like the way it looks afterwards!

[mjalstad]

Do you need to take the entire grille off? Can't you just remove the top plastic piece and then stick your hand down in there and push the bow tie out while squeezing the tabs?

[DaveyBoyo]

Look good bud I like it.

[tlperry68]

Nice job man.

[Jimmiee]

Based on some work I saw on a fellow member's work, I decided to do a year/model specific entry of a blacked out bow tie modification for a 2000 SILVERADO 1500 LT.

I assume no responsibility to any damages to your vehicles. This is merely for an idea of how to pop out the bow tie on my model. just about all other steps are the same for any model.

On my truck, the bow tie has two plastic snap-in pieces on the back that hold it snugly in to the grill. I used this socket screw driver-like tool to push the plastic latches in. I started off using a flat head screw driver but was worried too much pressure would crack the bow tie so the blunt ended tool might be better to use.

Here is the tool i used in the first pic and the plastic latches on the back side of the bow tie in the second pic..


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC270050.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC270049.jpg


I've already began prep work for the paint sequence which consists of priming and multiple LIGHT COATS of desired color. After i cautiously removed the bow tie, i began sanding the glossy finish with about a 320-400 grain piece of sand paper. Too coarse of a grained sand paper could lead to a poor paint job. Like the other dude said in his bow tie affair project, 90% of the end result will be determined in the prepping process so take your time, it is VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO RUSH cause your truck ain't going no where.

Heres a pic of my emblem after being sanded and I'll put up more pics as i progress through my work.


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/oOcornflakeOo/PC270052.jpg

Great Job! I wish I would have seen this last week. I ordered a Billet Aluminum Bowtie to replace my stock one that is peeling apart on the inside. The Billet Aluminum Bowtie costs about $40 with shipping. :grrrrrr:

[silveradotrailblazer]

I was to lazy to take off my grille, just covered mine with red vynil, then whenI got tired of that color i covered with black. Hey it worked.

[zubbiez]

Im doing this to my truck tomarrow.

[trimhalifax]

Nice job on that bowtie.:great:

[drkbluZ71]

thanks for the great info. i have also decided to paint my bowtie aswell. i will post pictures when i get it all finished.

[zubbiez]

Well I pulled of the grill yesterday to blacken the bow tie and was surprised to see nuts on the back of the bowtie seeing how the thread shows there being clips. I unbolted them and was suprprised to see that my bowtie was actually alumimun billet. it was just so weathered I couldnt even tell. I can only assume the guy I bought the truck from, put it on years ago so instead of painting it black I broke out the dremenel and alumimun polish and buffed it up a bit. looks decent I think im going to get a oem bowtie and paint it black to see if I like it better but for now Im going to keep the billet one on there.

[BAMES]

Hey thanks for the idea, took me about an hour and a half. Would have been like 15 min but I had to tape off the chrome. (Don't mind the crack in the M, I had an extra emblem from a prior deer encounter.):glasses:
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww142/xBAMESx/DSCN0378.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww142/xBAMESx/DSCN0379.jpg

[zubbiez]

that gmc emblem came out great it macthes your bumper really well

[5speedsilverado]

Well I pulled of the grill yesterday to blacken the bow tie and was surprised to see nuts on the back of the bowtie seeing how the thread shows there being clips. I unbolted them and was suprprised to see that my bowtie was actually alumimun billet. it was just so weathered I couldnt even tell. I can only assume the guy I bought the truck from, put it on years ago so instead of painting it black I broke out the dremenel and alumimun polish and buffed it up a bit. looks decent I think im going to get a oem bowtie and paint it black to see if I like it better but for now Im going to keep the billet one on there.
lol great deal, you should post before and after pictures

[zubbiez]

but this is how it looks after two weeks, excuse the rest of the pic its been raining for a month and washing the truck has turned into a bad joke

[pontiacGTP123]

nice job looks great

[jerseymike68]

I have the Flowmaster too and love it, my brother got his used from craigslist but I wanted a valid warranty so I got it here. Flowmaster Exhaust 17245 (http://allexhaust.com/product.php?productid=2453?odj), or you can try one of the sponsors here on the forum, they are allways having sales/specials. Either way its a great exhaust system, sounds great, and very easy to install.

[Silverbullit]

JUST DID MINE......LOOKS GREAT!!!!!!!!
Thanks For the Help!!