Filler Plate Mod for you DIY cheapos

[KC-Iceman]

I didn't want to spend $100 to $170 for a new filler plate so decided to modify my old plate. Plus, I wanted the smooth finish without the two horizontal stripes running across - yea I am picky. If you are DIYer, you probably have most of these tools already so the cost is very minimal. Here are the steps if you are interested.

Tools needed:
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Jigsaw (or any cutting tools)
- Masking tape
- Tape Measure
- Plastic welder
- Metal bracket (I used an old license plate)
- Plastic epoxy
- Body filler
- Sand papers (80, 180, 400 grit)
- Rag
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Primer

So here is the old filler plate with license plate mount - yuck


Cut right at the recces area. I could have have just cut the bottom portion that sticks out then fill the recces area with bunch of body putty but two reasons why I didn't go this route. One, I wanted to have flange on the bottom for strength. Two, I didn't want 1/4" of body putty that can crack.


Measure off 5 13/16 from the edge and mark it with a masking tape


Grind/sand both corners


Cut off the bottom center mounting


Check for fitment


Raise the height of the plate by putting a rag or etc. under neath


Apply several pieces of masking tape to hold them in place


I chose plastic weld method for bonding but you can use plastic epoxy or etc. Be sure to create V groove along the cut line if you decide to use plastic epoxy so bonded surface is below the finish surface.


Sand it flush
I decided to perform plastic weld on the the inside for the top edge to reduce deformation along the curved edge.


Fill all holes then sand it flush


Cut and bend piece of metal bracket to create mounting point at the center. I used the old license plate that was laying around.


Clean it with rubbing alcohol then apply body putty.
NOTE: After experimenting with Bondo, flexible glaze, mixes of the two, applying putty over Epoxy, and etc. I found that Bondo over properly sanded/scratched up surface gave me the best result for adhesion.


Sand it with 80grit sand paper with a sanding block. Then hit it with 180 Grit.


Clean it nicely with the rubbing alcohol then apply couple coats of primer. At this point, you can pretty much tell you high/low spots. Fill/sand any imperfections.


Couple more coats of primer then wet sand with 400 grits. Check the final fitment then it's ready to paint with your choice of color.


Good luck!

[Schweini]

Excellent job buddy, well executed

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Very well done!

[wildcat333]

Nice!

[mec]

Very cool!

[vvenom800tt]

Nicely done

[4rings5stars]

Wow!

I'm cheap and inspired!

[yeoj112689]

i will be doing this. Thank you for the write up. I have been thinking about this for a while but everyone told me it wouldn't work well. Shows them ha

[stevengrande]

Bravo!

[AudiTFSI3o3]

surely beats spending over $150 for a filler plate!

[aluthman]

Wonder how it would look painted body color?

[crew]

Nicely done!

[AudiTFSI3o3]

Wonder how it would look painted body color?

no.

[vce1232000]

product looks, for your skills. I live in NJ. The project wont work for me. This state requires front plate

[KC-Iceman]

Wonder how it would look painted body color?

I was wondering too so I actually painted to match my brilliant black color. Here is the color scheme I am going for...
- Grille and filler plate: brilliant black
- Audi badge, chrome surrounding, quattro with flat black using black plasti dip

I am just waiting for the paint to dry so can post a pic tonight. If I end up not liking the body color filler plate, I can always plasti dip later:)

[AWDTURBO]

Not to kill the thumbs up going on in this thread, but am I the only person that takes it into consideration that when you are cheap you should really consider "your time" as part of the cost of the DIY.

I mean, yea the filler plate is $150 new, you can def find a used one in good condition and granted you don't want the 2 lines (which makes is custom which OEM doesn't provide) but once you spend what 2 hours on a project doesn't that bring what I feel is a $50 mod to a $100 or $150 mod?

I guess i'm one of the few who think this way considering when I had my customer RS4 grill for the DTM bumper and fog light grills (which took about 40 man hours to complete) for sale people were low balling me.

[Schweini]

Not to kill the thumbs up going on in this thread, but am I the only person that takes it into consideration that when you are cheap you should really consider "your time" as part of the cost of the DIY.

I see where you're coming from, especially if you interpret the topic title that.

For me personally time isn't a factor. It's a labour of love in most cases, and I just couldn't put a price tag on that. It pays for itself

[AWDTURBO]

I see where you're coming from, especially if you interpret the topic title that.

For me personally time isn't a factor. It's a labour of love in most cases, and I just couldn't put a price tag on that. It pays for itself

I guess but if i went to work the time it takes to do some of these custom mods, sometimes to save a couple of bucks doesn't pay off.

Trust me alot of stuff was custom on my B7 and even though I loved it I always questions the time spent on it.

[Schweini]

I guess but if i went to work the time it takes to do some of these custom mods, sometimes to save a couple of bucks doesn't pay off.

Trust me alot of stuff was custom on my B7 and even though I loved it I always questions the time spent on it.

To save a few bucks, I 100% agree with you.. sometimes I rather just throw money at something for the ease of mind and hassle. I get it, trust me

The thing is, If anyone went to work they'd be making more with their time doing these DIY's. It's therapeutic for me, I love having something to do after work. Sure beats watching TV or what not. And anyone can make the argument that the time we spend watching TV or whatever unproductive things we do, that if we worked we could all be better off. I guess it all depends how you view it.

[KC-Iceman]

I guess but if i went to work the time it takes to do some of these custom mods, sometimes to save a couple of bucks doesn't pay off.

Trust me alot of stuff was custom on my B7 and even though I loved it I always questions the time spent on it.

Haha! I asked the same question when I was in the basement sanding my bumper at 2 am. If you think this is bad, you should have seen how much time I put into making a B7/B8 bumper. Either case, my time is free in my opinion since I am doing these mods on my "free" time instead of watching tv or something useless.

I know no one in the right mind is ever going to pay extra for dumb little mods when it comes to time to sell my car. Most mods we make will not increase the value of our cars for average buyers. It's more for the satisfaction that we get when we turn something stock/broke/ugly part into something that we can say "I did that".

[4rings5stars]

This is how innovations in the homebrew department are born.

I love it and encourage it

[KC-Iceman]

This is how innovations in the homebrew department are born.

I love it and encourage it

Agree! Well, here is the final product of my homebrew filler plate.
- brilliant black on the grille and filler plate. I've added clear plasti dip over the paint for protection
- black plasti dip on the badge, Quattro badge, and chrome surrounds.



Filled "Quattro" lettering with red plasti dip

[yeoj112689]

I love the way that looks! much better then the chrome trimmed filler plate you can buy!

[KC-Iceman]

I love the way that looks! much better then the chrome trimmed filler plate you can buy!

Thanks! Plus, it's something you can say "I did that"