DIY - Home made cabin air filters

[islandboy57]

My friend and I went to Home Depot and I decided to pick up one of those big A/C filters and cut them to size for cabin air filters. Someone else here on TN had said they did that so I was curious about it. I paid $15 for a big 20x16 sheet of 3M filter.

^ Old Avalon cabin air filter, new Corolla cabin air filter (just for comparison)




^ I measured the old one, and cut out a new one. You need to make sure it has the same number of folds/creases.




^ Took off the sides of the old cabin air filter, and attached it to the sides of the newly cut out filter.




^ Used cardboard as a frame to make some extras.




^ Close up of how it was glued.




^ Just a picture of my clean car

Anyway.. I figure the big 3M A/C filter from Home Depot will make 9-12 cabin air filters, or $1.25 - $1.66 each. Once you get going it's not too hard. It does take some time to get everything going but it was a nice weekend project. My friend was the one gluing it to the new frames, and I was the one measuring and cutting it. She did a nice job of gluing it to the frame. I have a feeling if I did it I would just toss it on and it'd be messy

[touringcamry]

I was wondering how long before someone does this. I didn't know someone already did this before you.

[TRD VVTi]

Wow.

If cabin filters have you so strapped that you have to make your own to save money, maybe you should have purchased a Yaris instead.

[carlo$]

20.00 a pop for cabin air is a ripoff from Toy.

smart guy to make his own. next time i will buy one from lowe's and make my own also.

[eflw1029]

I completely agree with Carlo$! I can understand people making a fair return for a product but when a unit cost is just pennies and to have someone charge 20 times what it cost to manufacturer is outrageous. This particular post was very informative but more importantly shows ingenuity on the part of owners. Knowing how the homemade filter was created, it would probably perform a way better job versus the toyota brand. Keep those tips and tricks coming along guys!

[TRD VVTi]

It was a joke. Thus the smiley at the end.

Actually, if you figure your time, filter material, edge material, glue, and glue gun into the equation I don't there is any savings.

Even if there is a slight savings I can sure think of some other things that would be more fun for the 1/2 hour or so that it takes to make your own filter.

Unless you make minumum wage, it really isn't cost effective.

[yeuemhoai]

Here comes another mod but it's the cheapest mod. Thanks OP for saving $$

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

It was a joke. Thus the smiley at the end.

Actually, if you figure your time, filter material, edge material, glue, and glue gun into the equation I don't there is any savings.

Even if there is a slight savings I can sure think of some other things that would be more fun for the 1/2 hour or so that it takes to make your own filter.

Unless you make minumum wage, it really isn't cost effective.

I thought about that. We're making filters for a $28K Avalon, $20K Camry, and $17K Corolla (so what's $40-80 a year on cabin air filters).. But you know what? The monetary aspect is secondary to how much I can learn to do myself and the feeling of satisfaction I get

Anyway - I forgot to add. The 3M filters at Home Depot had some kind of thin wire mesh over it that is lightly glued. You'll have to take that off before you can size the filter. If you can find one without that mesh covering, you'll save yourself some time.

[toyomoho]

I suppose one could come up with some kind of metal or cardboard frame and use flexible filter material. Industry does this. When the current filter gets dirty, it is lifted off and new material installed. Often unrolled like toilet paper, fast and cheap to replace.

[TRD VVTi]

islandboy57: I know what you're saying. I like to make stuff for myself as well. It does bring satisfaction.

[thoots]

Actually, what comes to my mind is how the OEM filters are "electrostatic," have certain specifications for particulate trapping, and so on. Whatever you pick up at the local store has, well --- "whatever" qualities. I generally expect that a DIY job would wind up with something some amount less effective than the OEM filters. You can definitely put me in the "They're well worth twenty bucks or so" camp when it comes to just going and getting OEM filters!

[touringcamry]

If you are really concerned about filtering capabilities, you could always get a HEPA filter instead of a regular air filter.

[johnnyzee]

wow, everybody sucks!
the guy comes on to show his talents and efforts and everyone's bashing. just say "nice job" and get on with it.

It's like changing your own oil. it saves such a minimal amount of money doing it yourself (buying the oil and the filter) versus getting a shop to do it, but people still do it anyways.

islandboy, good job man, nice effort, looks good and at least you change your cabin filter whereas i personally couldnt even give a shit, so whatever grade filter you have is guaranteed better than mine!
lookin forward to more diy's!

[Toysrme]

LoL!



Welcome to a post I first made in 2003, or 2004.

[thoots]

Originally Posted by johnnyzee

wow, everybody sucks!

Oh, no bashing or disrespect inteneded, and I'm sure I speak for everyone here.

No worries at all -- everyone is just bringing up their thoughts on the matter, which, as usual, are all over the board....