Going to build a custom parcel shelf.

[heap1000]

I bought my a3 a few months ago and it came without a parcel shelf. I have been looking on ebay for a cheap one but no joy these things go for some money.
I have now decided to make my own custom one. Going to do this at work so will hopefully post pictures of what i do.

The plan is

Draw round a orginal parcel shelf (done today)
Plot it on a cnc machine (done today)
Cut out test template in 5mm foamex (done today)
Test the fit in the car.
Make any alterations and cut final peice in 15 or 20mm foamex
Cut 2 x 1mm ali panels and bond to top and bottom.
Drill holes for the rope attachements
Fabricate the bar type things underneath that seat the shelf in the car.
Thrn i will spray (i am a painter by trade) the shelf all round in the same colour siver as the car.
I am then going to have the embossed audi logo digitally printed on to the panel and thr over coat with gloss lacquer.
I was not sure weathee to paint it the same dark blue as the interior or the same colour as the silver exterior but think i will go with the silver.

Has anyone else had a go at making one? Anything you would suggest? A different logo?

Thanks

 

[heap1000]

Excuse the typos as i am on my phone and have fat thumbs!

 

[Jameze]

I wish I had access to cool things at work. The only thing that gives me a thrill is the stationary cupboard!

Looking forward to seeing the results

 

[mookster]

Sounds interesting. I'd be more tempted to finish it with mat finish as opposed to gloess, otherwise you'll get some monstrous glare when the suns on it. The other option is flocking.

One thing that would be cool would be to get some LEDs in there somewhere, perhaps have the logo lighting up with them. That would be awesome

 

[NHN]

100% dont paint in silver, the sun will reflect like a pig, just matt black or fabric over & fit retractable hangers from the 8L chassis.

 

[Cozza McA]

One thing that would be cool would be to get some LEDs in there somewhere, perhaps have the logo lighting up with them. That would be awesome

Just thinking a strip of LEDs running the length of the the parcel shelf lighting up the whole boot..
that would be epic

 

[heap1000]

Some good imput there guys. Do you think it been gloss silver will be such an issue? The parcel shelf is quite a lot lower than the rear head rests which is mainly what you can see in the rear view mirror. Would the bonnet not have the same affect?

I do have access to strips of led lights but i am not too clued up on them. I know when we use them they are powered by the mains then they are connected to a transformer box. How would i power them in the car? Dont like the idea of lots of wires haning around as no doubt the will get pulled off or caught in something.

Deciding wether to go with a interior colour match (dark blue) in matt with the silver audi logo and red audi text underneath.

 

[mike foster]

Have you looked here ?

audi a3 parcel shelf in Parcel Shelves | eBay

 

[heap1000]

Have you looked here ?

audi a3 parcel shelf in Parcel Shelves | eBay

Thats the first place i looked,the only cheap ones are for the 8l chassis thr rest sell for £60 to £100+ and to be honest i can think of better things at the moment to spend that amount of money on.

 

[mike foster]

Thats the first place i looked,the only cheap ones are for the 8l chassis thr rest sell for £60 to £100+ and to be honest i can think of better things at the moment to spend that amount of money on.

Just thought it might be easier to adapt a cheap one rather than 're-invent the wheel' so to speak !

 

[NHN]

Some good imput there guys. Do you think it been gloss silver will be such an issue? The parcel shelf is quite a lot lower than the rear head rests which is mainly what you can see in the rear view mirror. Would the bonnet not have the same affect?

The bonnet is external so the reflection of this doesnt reflect internally as such that would cause you major issues, the parcel shelf is internal, the reflection of this will then bounce against the glass & potentially cause you issues for clear vision to the rear, hence why most if not all shelves are matt fabric so no safety concerns as such.

In grand scheme of things, time, cost, effort etc far outweighs the cost of a replacement imho, but if its just to see what you can do, then I'm all for experimentation if it has an end product of use.

 

[OVRA3]

I wish I had access to cool things at work. The only thing that gives me a thrill is the stationary cupboard!

Looking forward to seeing the results

Lmao ditto

 

[NHN]

Depends whose in the stationary cupboard lmao