r3trol0gic
Vendor
Just thought I'd share my weekend project with you all.
Since winter is at the doorstep here in the Northeast, I have been contemplating a grill cover for my Golf. Taking a look around, the only viable retail option I found was from the good folks at IDParts.
http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?
products_id=3930&osCsid=4h4520m3ur39m84p0livqpsio5
Unfortunately the list price for this was a non-starter for me - just not worth that much in my opinion. I am not here to argue for whether or not that price is fair, just that it was not in my budget. Anyway, fostering the DIY spirit I took on the challenge of making one myself.
Materials:
1 Package Velcro One-Wrap - $12.49 (before 60% off coupon)
1.5 Yards Black Hatched Vinyl Fabric - $8.99 (sale)
1 Spool Red Outdoor Thread - $3.49
1 Spool Black Thread - $2.99
1 Package 3/8" Elastic - $1.99
---------------------------------------
Total Cost - $22.46 + tax
I spent a couple of hours using some paper and iterating through cutouts of the top and lower grills until I had a fit I was happy with. After that, it was to the cutting and sewing and this is what I have so far. I still have to complete the bottom grill cover, but I am very happy with the results for the top section (which I bvelieve is the more difficult one to do). Once I get the bottom one finished, I will post more pics.
How it works:
The main adhesive is the velcro, the stitched sections can be seen in the pictures. I used a dremmel to cut 4 slots in the top flat ridge of the grill (under the hood, will post pics later) - allowing me to wrap 4 loops of velcro (double sided, aka One-Wrap) around the grill. This attaches to the sewn on sections on the cover. In addition, there is a small bit of elastic that connects the two pieces together that runs under the VW emblem for tension purposes. Finally, the ends that conform nicely to the headlight angles are secured with flaps that I sewed on to the edge of the cover in those sections. The flaps simple wedge tightly into the 3/16" or so gap between the headlights and the grill itself. I think this small effort makes it look quite polished. As a finishing touch, I chose to use a red thread for the border.
So - assuming I dont mess up with the bottom piece, I have a great looking set of grill covers for under $25 and I had a great time working on it.
For Comparison
The above image via IDParts.com
Since winter is at the doorstep here in the Northeast, I have been contemplating a grill cover for my Golf. Taking a look around, the only viable retail option I found was from the good folks at IDParts.
http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?
products_id=3930&osCsid=4h4520m3ur39m84p0livqpsio5
Unfortunately the list price for this was a non-starter for me - just not worth that much in my opinion. I am not here to argue for whether or not that price is fair, just that it was not in my budget. Anyway, fostering the DIY spirit I took on the challenge of making one myself.
Materials:
1 Package Velcro One-Wrap - $12.49 (before 60% off coupon)
1.5 Yards Black Hatched Vinyl Fabric - $8.99 (sale)
1 Spool Red Outdoor Thread - $3.49
1 Spool Black Thread - $2.99
1 Package 3/8" Elastic - $1.99
---------------------------------------
Total Cost - $22.46 + tax
I spent a couple of hours using some paper and iterating through cutouts of the top and lower grills until I had a fit I was happy with. After that, it was to the cutting and sewing and this is what I have so far. I still have to complete the bottom grill cover, but I am very happy with the results for the top section (which I bvelieve is the more difficult one to do). Once I get the bottom one finished, I will post more pics.
How it works:
The main adhesive is the velcro, the stitched sections can be seen in the pictures. I used a dremmel to cut 4 slots in the top flat ridge of the grill (under the hood, will post pics later) - allowing me to wrap 4 loops of velcro (double sided, aka One-Wrap) around the grill. This attaches to the sewn on sections on the cover. In addition, there is a small bit of elastic that connects the two pieces together that runs under the VW emblem for tension purposes. Finally, the ends that conform nicely to the headlight angles are secured with flaps that I sewed on to the edge of the cover in those sections. The flaps simple wedge tightly into the 3/16" or so gap between the headlights and the grill itself. I think this small effort makes it look quite polished. As a finishing touch, I chose to use a red thread for the border.
So - assuming I dont mess up with the bottom piece, I have a great looking set of grill covers for under $25 and I had a great time working on it.
For Comparison
The above image via IDParts.com
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