Imagine cruising in your sleek 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S, only to discover one of those snazzy rear air ducts has vanished into thin air. It’s either flown off during a high-speed jaunt or got swiped by some sticky fingers.
And what does the dealer say?
A jaw-dropping $2,000 for a single piece of plastic. Ouch!
Well, it’s German. A 911.
But fear not, fellow gearheads, because in a hilarious and ingenious YouTube Short that’s quietly making the rounds across the internet with over 41 million views, creator Hayden Schreier flips the script with 3D scanning and printing wizardry, slashing the cost to a mere — wait for it — $20. Yes, 20 bucks. Talk about sticking it to the man—or in this case, the luxury automaker!
The Mad Scientist’s Garage Gambit
Schreier, looking every bit the mad scientist in his garage lab, kicks off the video with a grin:
“This is where a 3D scanning actually saves you real money. My friend has a 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S and one of the rear air ducts on the quarter panel is just gone. Either it flew off or someone took it. Porsche wants around $2,000 to replace it for a single plastic duct. Crazy.”
Yep, you heard that right; two grand for what pretty much boils down to a fancy vent cover. But Hayden’s not one to shell out for overpriced OEM bling. Instead, he grabs his trusty Creality Otter Scanner and turns the intact duct on the other side into his secret weapon.
And then the fun ramps up. “Because the other side of the car is still intact, we can reverse engineer it. I took that original part, prepped it properly, and scanned it.” Since it’s shiny automotive plastic, he slaps on some scanning spray and reference markers to beat the glare and ensure pinpoint accuracy.
“This is to get rid of that reflective glare and to give the scanner something to follow.” Then, it’s scan time—front and back, merged in the software like a digital puzzle. “Once we have a clean model, we simply mirror it to create the missing side and clean it up a bit.”
The Finishing Touch Tango
Before going all-in, Hayden test-prints in cheap PLA to check the fit—smart move, saving filament and sanity. “Once that’s perfect, we can print the final versions in ASA, which is ideal for automotive use because it’s heat resistant, UV stable, and designed for outdoor environments.”
Why stop at one? He prints a matching pair:
“At that point, we might as well print both sides and have a matching set because the work is already done.”
But wait, this shouldn’t stop at just slapping on a raw print. Nope, Hayden goes pro-level for that factory-fresh vibe.
“If you really want it to look like a factory part, you need to take it a step further. I sanded it down with 320 grit sandpaper. Applied Bondo glazing putty to fill any layer lines. Sanded again, and then hit it with Napa’s 2K automotive primer, the real stuff that actually hardens.”
Final touch? A quick sanding and either DIY paint or a $100 body shop visit for a perfect match. “I mean, come on, look at it. Can you tell which one’s from Porsche and which two I 3D printed?”
The Click of Victory
The moment of truth arrives with installation suspense: “The time has come that we’ve all been waiting for. It’s officially time to install the part on the car and see if everything fits. Will the clips line up? Will everything fit correctly? It all comes down to this.” Drumroll… ”
And it fits perfect. A factory look and thousands of dollars saved.” Boom!
The Creality Otter Scanner emerges as the hero for “DIYers, weekend warriors, car enthusiasts. This thing lets you recreate parts you literally cannot justify buying new. I’m actually blown away myself. So, the question isn’t can you do this? It’s why wouldn’t…”
This cheeky tutorial is a win for Schreier’s buddy, but it’s also a rally cry for every gearhead who’s tired of dealer markups. With tools like these becoming more accessible, who needs overpriced parts when you can print your own? Right?
As Hayden’s video proves, a little tech savvy can turn a pricey headache into a triumphant, wallet-saving adventure. If you’re inspired, grab a scanner and get printing. Your Porsche (or whatever you’ve got in that garage or diveway) might just thank you.