The only way to "hide" a FMIC is to paint it satin black, then put black mesh in front of it. But why "hide" it in the first place .
I just prefer to spend $30 to replace the mesh rather than $200 to replace the fmic.
nsta
You need;
- Two different lengths of wood (thick, strong pieces). One the size of you horizontal sides (top/bottom), the other the size of your vertical sides (left/right)
- Masking tape
- Two big G-clamps
- Rubber hammer
- 3 large pop-rivits
- 3 strips of sheetmetal. Approx. 1" x 2" , with a hole (the size of the pop-rivits) drilled through the middle
- Tube of Automotive Sikaflex
- Side cutters (assuming it is aluminium mesh)
- A large table covered with some thick soft blankets (make sure the top layer is not your best blanket )
- Work bench
- A mate to give you an extra pair of hands
Now i am only going off memory from when i did mine 10 months ago
1/ Place bar face down on table
2/ Place mesh sheet over hole, then cut mesh to size, leaving at least a 1" overhang all round (a 2" overhang on top is better)
3/ Starting with the bottom, use the masking tap to mark the edge of the hole. Take mesh to work bench, line marked edge, on mesh, with edge of workbench, place wood on top of mesh, also at the marked edge. Use the G-clamp to firmly clamp the wood to the bench, ensuring all is still lined up. Use rubber hammer to gently hit the overhang up to a 90deg angle, thus forming the lower lip.
4/ Place mesh back on bar, position properly and cut along the overhang edge, to allow the sides to be folded.
5/ Using step 3/ as a guide, do the same thing for both sides, then the top. Always do only one fold at a time and re-measure the edge of the next overhang after every fold.
6/ Fold the excess, from the corners, over the sides, to form a "tray". I used small cable ties to prevent the flaps from sticking out. The mesh should now fit snug arround the hole.
7/ Remove the mesh, thoughly clean the inside of the bar, where the mesh makes contact to the bar. Position mesh back on bar.
8/ At the top, you should have three plactic tabs. Not sure if they have a hole in each tab already, but if they don't drill a hole in the middle, the same size as your pop-rivits.
9/ Pass the pop-rivit through the bar, then up through the mesh, then through one of your pieces of sheetmetal. Repeat for the other 2 tabs.
This is the only pic i can provide to help you
10/ For the other sides (and along the top where possible) pump in the sikaflex, making sure it reaches the bar. Don't be shy, i used a whole tube on mine , just make sure it is not visable from the front. Use a "make shift" scrapper to spread the sikaflex evenly and to push it through the mesh.
If you are concerned about the strength, don't be . When i hit the cat/possum the mesh broke along the bottom and side folds. It wasn't easy removing the old mesh and sikaflex
11/ Remount the indicator supports, refit the indicators.
and i think that is just about it
GOOD LUCK!!
Al