This has taken a while (because of other commitments), but I have finally fitted my revised front-grill/access flap. I started with the standard smooth grill. I ground-away the raised section
that allows for the mounting of the Audi emblem. The aim was to achieve a completely smooth grill and this was obtained by filling any holes with fibre-glass and filler, then sanding and
priming. I incorporated illumination behind the Audi emblem and to facilitate this, before fibre-glassing, I placed four balsa-wood segments in the eventual location of those LED lights.
When the fibre-glass had set, it was easy to prise-out the soft wood. The Audi emblem that I used originated from the Audi 100 model. It is held in place by three threaded pins that pass
through the grill. I added a forth pin to obtain better clamping. After priming, the grill was sprayed in body colour, Azure-blue. At the same time, a piece of thin "Lexan" sheet, cut to the
contour of the Audi emblem, had two coats of paint applied to the inner surface. This allowed the LED illumination to still pass through, but completely concealed those lights. Outwardly,
this grill appears to be plain and solid, painted uniformly in body colour. There is no evidence of the badge illumination. The badge was sealed to the grill surface with silicone, to prevent
moisture penetration. It was necessary to modify the "dip-stick" to enable the grill/inspection flap to be closed. I altered the finger-pull so that it pivoted. Another modification .... the profile of the grill-
surround that goes with the smooth grill is different to that of the slatted-grill. I much preferred the latter and had to shave a few mm's off the sides of the smooth grill for it to fit perfectly. I would
have thought that there are not many A2OC members who would of been aware of the grill-surround difference? Well, here's some photo's :-
The primed grill
The painted grill
The Audi 100 Emblem
Grill + emblem
Fitted to the car ( some inevitable reflections!)
Rear-grill wiring (note the pivoting "dip-stick"!)
Illumination (difficult to show this properly, but looks good!)
I feel that the flush Audi Emblem looks SO much better! I don't understand why Audi designed it to sit proud?
David
that allows for the mounting of the Audi emblem. The aim was to achieve a completely smooth grill and this was obtained by filling any holes with fibre-glass and filler, then sanding and
priming. I incorporated illumination behind the Audi emblem and to facilitate this, before fibre-glassing, I placed four balsa-wood segments in the eventual location of those LED lights.
When the fibre-glass had set, it was easy to prise-out the soft wood. The Audi emblem that I used originated from the Audi 100 model. It is held in place by three threaded pins that pass
through the grill. I added a forth pin to obtain better clamping. After priming, the grill was sprayed in body colour, Azure-blue. At the same time, a piece of thin "Lexan" sheet, cut to the
contour of the Audi emblem, had two coats of paint applied to the inner surface. This allowed the LED illumination to still pass through, but completely concealed those lights. Outwardly,
this grill appears to be plain and solid, painted uniformly in body colour. There is no evidence of the badge illumination. The badge was sealed to the grill surface with silicone, to prevent
moisture penetration. It was necessary to modify the "dip-stick" to enable the grill/inspection flap to be closed. I altered the finger-pull so that it pivoted. Another modification .... the profile of the grill-
surround that goes with the smooth grill is different to that of the slatted-grill. I much preferred the latter and had to shave a few mm's off the sides of the smooth grill for it to fit perfectly. I would
have thought that there are not many A2OC members who would of been aware of the grill-surround difference? Well, here's some photo's :-
The primed grill The painted grill The Audi 100 Emblem Grill + emblem Fitted to the car ( some inevitable reflections!) Rear-grill wiring (note the pivoting "dip-stick"!) Illumination (difficult to show this properly, but looks good!)I feel that the flush Audi Emblem looks SO much better! I don't understand why Audi designed it to sit proud?
David
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as you have the same colour of my car how difficult was it to paint etc...
