Grille Guards Research Guide

Grille Guards Research Guide Glossary Terms

• Auxiliary lighting
• Brush guard(s)
• Chrome plating
• Frame
• Powder coated
• Stainless steel
• Uprights

Grille Guards Research Guide Glossary Definitions

Auxiliary lighting

These add-on lights work in tandem with your standard low and hi-beam lights to offer specialized illumination and extra safety in different driving situations. Auxiliary lights are available in fog light models that aim low and wide, driving light designs with great range, and hi-beam lamps that flood the road ahead. Each light style is easy to mount to pre-drilled grille guard bars. Wiring instructions are included with auxiliary lights.

Brush guard(s)

The term "brush guard" carries multiple meanings when talking about grille guards. Legend has it that the original designers/users created grille guards to prevent paint and grille scratches when driving through high brush, thus creating the nickname, brush guard. Additionally, brush guard can also refer to just the headlight guard portion of a grille guard, as this portion does a good deal of the brush deflection.

Chrome plating

Chrome plating is a finishing treatment utilizing a thin, decorative bright layer typically over an underlying nickel plate. The result is a brilliant, mirror-like reflectivity on all kinds of automotive trim. The downside to chrome plating is that the decorative layer can be chipped or peeled off over time.

Frame

The backbone of your vehicle is its frame. This heavy-duty network of specially-shaped steel beams supports your entire vehicle's weight and performs numerous other functions. Grille guards attach to pre-existing bolt holes at the front end of the frame, tying your guard in with the strongest anchoring point on your vehicle.

Powder coated

Powder coating has become a popular process for treating metal with a uniform color coat that's chip-, scratch- and corrosion-resistant. The process involves spraying metal with fine dry resin particles that are electro-statically charged so that they stick to the surface. The coated metal is then baked at 400° F, melting the clinging particles into a smooth, durable finish. The overwhelming number of powder coat finishes are done in gloss black.

Stainless steel

This specialized steel alloy provides the strength of steel and outstanding corrosion resistance. Stainless steel generally includes higher nickel and/or chromium in the alloy mixture to eliminate rust worries. Plus, stainless steel can be polished to an incredible shine that rivals or outperforms the look of chrome plating.

Uprights

An integral part of full front end and center grille guards plus bumper guards, the uprights are typically padded for low-speed pushing power. The uprights are also home to the mounting positions for the headlight covers, center light bars and hood guard bars. Plus, the base of the upright mounts either directly to the frame or to a specialized mounting plate attached to the frame.