D3 2007 A8L Grill Mod
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
D3 2007 A8L Grill Mod
Want to change up your grill without spending 600 or more on a new one?? Here is a simple mod I did that makes it look real clean. I also did my side markers in this same way.
WHat you need (less than 20 dollars total)
glossy black 3m film.
3m adhesive promotor
hairdryer
hard card or credit card
sand paper
Disassembly required
Simple! about 4 torx screws to remove the license plate cover. No need to remove the whole grill (thank the lord because that means pulling the bumper)
Time
about 30 mins if you have worked with film before
Difficulty
EASY!! Just take your time
Instructions
Remove the bumper cover. remove license plate. Sand down any rough spots from pebbles hitting you on the highway. Remember you are using a film, so you want to prep the surface as smooth as if you were painting it. Sanding also roughs up the finish a bit for promoting sticking. Wash the whole plastic piece.
use the adhesion promoter on all edges, holes, and seems to make sure that those areas adhere extra well.
cut a piece of film with about 1 inch extra on all edges so you cna wrap it around the rear side (hidden once on car). I suggest leaving the excess and not cutting it off. it will help it stay wrapped once you bolt it on the car.
heat makes the film very maluable and stretchy. Heat it up a little and work from the center outward. On the edges, use heat and get all creases out by pulling/stretching and shaping as needed.
use your hard card to smooth the bubbles working from middle outward. use the hard card and heat to get the indentation around the license plate real tight.
For the parking sensor holes, cut an x in the film with a razor blade. Use heat and pres through the hole wrapping around the back side.
Add some wax and buff to a shine. It will match your car well if its black like mine You can get this film in many colors...i use it for many mods...including the ugly amber side markers.
BEFORE
<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/thomaspenaskovic/media/7423a66e-b408-49f0-b85a-629167d25e07_zps1cc216e4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/thomaspenaskovic/7423a66e-b408-49f0-b85a-629167d25e07_zps1cc216e4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7423a66e-b408-49f0-b85a-629167d25e07_zps1cc216e4.jpg"/></a>
AFTER
<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/thomaspenaskovic/media/f26c79c5-5de9-4b8e-a8ff-8ca4e9d5f755_zpsffa11a00.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/thomaspenaskovic/f26c79c5-5de9-4b8e-a8ff-8ca4e9d5f755_zpsffa11a00.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo f26c79c5-5de9-4b8e-a8ff-8ca4e9d5f755_zpsffa11a00.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/thomaspenaskovic/media/IMG-20130320-00103_zpsc87b655f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/thomaspenaskovic/IMG-20130320-00103_zpsc87b655f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG-20130320-00103_zpsc87b655f.jpg"/></a>
WHat you need (less than 20 dollars total)
glossy black 3m film.
3m adhesive promotor
hairdryer
hard card or credit card
sand paper
Disassembly required
Simple! about 4 torx screws to remove the license plate cover. No need to remove the whole grill (thank the lord because that means pulling the bumper)
Time
about 30 mins if you have worked with film before
Difficulty
EASY!! Just take your time
Instructions
Remove the bumper cover. remove license plate. Sand down any rough spots from pebbles hitting you on the highway. Remember you are using a film, so you want to prep the surface as smooth as if you were painting it. Sanding also roughs up the finish a bit for promoting sticking. Wash the whole plastic piece.
use the adhesion promoter on all edges, holes, and seems to make sure that those areas adhere extra well.
cut a piece of film with about 1 inch extra on all edges so you cna wrap it around the rear side (hidden once on car). I suggest leaving the excess and not cutting it off. it will help it stay wrapped once you bolt it on the car.
heat makes the film very maluable and stretchy. Heat it up a little and work from the center outward. On the edges, use heat and get all creases out by pulling/stretching and shaping as needed.
use your hard card to smooth the bubbles working from middle outward. use the hard card and heat to get the indentation around the license plate real tight.
For the parking sensor holes, cut an x in the film with a razor blade. Use heat and pres through the hole wrapping around the back side.
Add some wax and buff to a shine. It will match your car well if its black like mine You can get this film in many colors...i use it for many mods...including the ugly amber side markers.
BEFORE
<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/thomaspenaskovic/media/7423a66e-b408-49f0-b85a-629167d25e07_zps1cc216e4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/thomaspenaskovic/7423a66e-b408-49f0-b85a-629167d25e07_zps1cc216e4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7423a66e-b408-49f0-b85a-629167d25e07_zps1cc216e4.jpg"/></a>
AFTER
<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/thomaspenaskovic/media/f26c79c5-5de9-4b8e-a8ff-8ca4e9d5f755_zpsffa11a00.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/thomaspenaskovic/f26c79c5-5de9-4b8e-a8ff-8ca4e9d5f755_zpsffa11a00.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo f26c79c5-5de9-4b8e-a8ff-8ca4e9d5f755_zpsffa11a00.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/thomaspenaskovic/media/IMG-20130320-00103_zpsc87b655f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/thomaspenaskovic/IMG-20130320-00103_zpsc87b655f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG-20130320-00103_zpsc87b655f.jpg"/></a>
#6
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, I liked your initial tip/writeup as that could allow anybody the color flexibility without paint but I think you went a little too far here. It doesn't look terrible though. Ha!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kingcardin
Audi A5 / S5 / RS5 Coupe & Cabrio (B8)
4
05-20-2015 08:41 AM
M4rkN
Audi A3 / S3 / RS 3
4
01-02-2007 04:07 PM
QGMika
A4 (B6 Platform) Discussion
3
05-13-2003 09:19 PM