03/27/2024
Forewarning, bit of a long post 😅
I've done comparison photos before, but very rarely do I get pictures and updates on my first generation badges from early supporters, so I thought I'd post this one, which was made a year ago. My early badges used a brush painted inner color, metallic paint that I later learned wasn't as durable as I believed, didn't use any finish on the mounting plate, and the bracket was made entirely as one part. In short, I had a lot of refinement to do. This is surpringly the only 1st gen jetta bracket failure I've been notified of and 1 of only two across both 1st and 2nd gen (interestingly enough, both happened within a week of eachother in the last month).
Improvements made since the badge on the left was made are:
✅️ Better metallic paints that don't "bubble" with prolonged heat.
✅️ Improved paint durability.
✅️ Vinyl now used as a backdrop, which is now plastic welded to the back of the letter plate to help prevent said vinyl from coming undone with heat.
✅️ the inner color on 2 color letters is now a separately made part.
✅️ Mounting bracket is now made in 5 different parts then assembled, drastically reducing the chance of arm breakage (how the one below failed)
✅️ Chrome effect is now a cut chrome vinyl, something not available originally.
✅️ Red color used is now closer to the original GLI red from VW.
✅️ Letters can now be mounted with adhesive foam
It's with the continued orders and support I've gotten which has helped me refine and sharpen my own skills and craftsmanship, which has allowed the new grille badge on the right to exist. It's why I offer a 70% discount for 1st gen customers, and I'm truly honored that this customer came back when it was time for a replacement.
I'll always have improvements to make to my products, but it's nice to see how far things have come.
