'08 TL Progress Thread by UA7X
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
'08 TL Progress Thread by UA7X
Hey everyone,
I've been through this forum a lot over the last year and a half and decided to finally post a thread with some of my progress with my TL.
I picked up a 2008 TL Base/Navi in Polished Metal Metallic with 101k miles almost two years ago and I absolutely love the car.
I'm happy to be on the forum, I remember a lot of the common posters on here in all of the threads ive looked through and you all seem like pretty cool folks!
Pics will be on the way - as soon as I find out how to post them using my phone.
I've been through this forum a lot over the last year and a half and decided to finally post a thread with some of my progress with my TL.
I picked up a 2008 TL Base/Navi in Polished Metal Metallic with 101k miles almost two years ago and I absolutely love the car.
I'm happy to be on the forum, I remember a lot of the common posters on here in all of the threads ive looked through and you all seem like pretty cool folks!
Pics will be on the way - as soon as I find out how to post them using my phone.
#2
Confusing Name Guy
Best bet that I use (I'm on a Galaxy S4) is upload them to dropbox and then just use the share URLs from there. Usually easier than the headache of trying to upload them directly to the site! Also there's an edit button that you can use to edit your post within 15 minutes that's perfect for those "ah shit forgot to add this part" moments
Welcome to azine from one relative newcomer to another
Welcome to azine from one relative newcomer to another
#3
Best bet that I use (I'm on a Galaxy S4) is upload them to dropbox and then just use the share URLs from there. Usually easier than the headache of trying to upload them directly to the site! Also there's an edit button that you can use to edit your post within 15 minutes that's perfect for those "ah shit forgot to add this part" moments
Welcome to azine from one relative newcomer to another
Welcome to azine from one relative newcomer to another
I edited the posts for him as a welcome to the forums gesture.
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the edit Ron, good save.
Thanks for the tips N1, do the share URLs with using Dropbox show up on the post as just links or does it actually show the pictures?
Thanks for the tips N1, do the share URLs with using Dropbox show up on the post as just links or does it actually show the pictures?
#6
-------Tim-------
^I don't know about Dropbox, but for photobucket they show up as a link when posting. Usually with an (IMG).....before the actually link. I was gonna say "you can edit your post, if something forgotten, but Ron A cleared that up!".
Welcome to Azine!
I Love that color TL!
Welcome to Azine!
I Love that color TL!
#7
Senior Moderator
Welcome to the forum!
Trending Topics
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the welcoming!
I love the polished metal too, definitely my favorite color for the base models.
Which reminds me, because I'm sure this question will come up eventually, "Hey why the name UA7X if you drive a UA6?" Well it's because I am a fan of the Type S, really wish I had one, and I'm also a fan of the band Avenged Sevenfold (also known as A7X) and I have a very silly sense of humor. Hence "UA7X".
See what I did there?? *laughs at self*
I love the polished metal too, definitely my favorite color for the base models.
Which reminds me, because I'm sure this question will come up eventually, "Hey why the name UA7X if you drive a UA6?" Well it's because I am a fan of the Type S, really wish I had one, and I'm also a fan of the band Avenged Sevenfold (also known as A7X) and I have a very silly sense of humor. Hence "UA7X".
See what I did there?? *laughs at self*
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Pictures!! Back from when I first bought the car. I wasn't a fan of the wheels on it, but I change wheels like my wife changes shoes so I was actually kinda glad I didn't like them - it meant going shoe-shopping lol.
The only thing I really settled on with this car was the interior color, the two-tone beige/black wasn't my first choice. I really wanted the black interior. Seats were a little torn too, but I figured I wasn't going to find any in better shape without paying quite a bit more.
Let me know if the pics didn't show for some reason!
The only thing I really settled on with this car was the interior color, the two-tone beige/black wasn't my first choice. I really wanted the black interior. Seats were a little torn too, but I figured I wasn't going to find any in better shape without paying quite a bit more.
Let me know if the pics didn't show for some reason!
#10
Senior Moderator
Pics are showing. Nice ride.
#12
Suzuka Master
OP you know that is just a cover that goes on the seat right? Your actual interior is taupe.
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the compliments Yumcha!
JD TL-S, thanks for welcoming me into the Money Pit lol, I think I'll manage though (I have something of a hookup in the Honda/Acura parts world). Either way I'm sure it can't be much worse than my old 94 turbo civic lol. Also, most of the heavy repairs are already done because I milked my warranty to almost $10k so routine maintenance will be all I really need to do. 132k miles on it now and it's practically new ;-)
truonghthe - Yep, I am definitely aware of the seat covers. They were on the car when I bought it and after peaking at the driver seat I decided I'd leave them on lol. The rear seats don't have covers at all and they're pretty torn up too now (due to my two restless dogs). So yeah the black and taupe color is a nice clean combo but I really had my heart set on all black interior and have been toying with the idea of swapping all of the panels.. One day maybe.
Castano23 - the steering wheel is original, I bought a black leather steering wheel cover from AutoZone the day I bought the car. I absolutely love having the thicker grip and feel for the steering wheel and protecting the original wheel is a plus. Good buy too, almost two years later and that cover is still in perfect condition.
JD TL-S, thanks for welcoming me into the Money Pit lol, I think I'll manage though (I have something of a hookup in the Honda/Acura parts world). Either way I'm sure it can't be much worse than my old 94 turbo civic lol. Also, most of the heavy repairs are already done because I milked my warranty to almost $10k so routine maintenance will be all I really need to do. 132k miles on it now and it's practically new ;-)
truonghthe - Yep, I am definitely aware of the seat covers. They were on the car when I bought it and after peaking at the driver seat I decided I'd leave them on lol. The rear seats don't have covers at all and they're pretty torn up too now (due to my two restless dogs). So yeah the black and taupe color is a nice clean combo but I really had my heart set on all black interior and have been toying with the idea of swapping all of the panels.. One day maybe.
Castano23 - the steering wheel is original, I bought a black leather steering wheel cover from AutoZone the day I bought the car. I absolutely love having the thicker grip and feel for the steering wheel and protecting the original wheel is a plus. Good buy too, almost two years later and that cover is still in perfect condition.
#18
Instructor
Thread Starter
@StanCeD - spot on, that was my exact thought too. Definitely needs a drop. Here are some pics at my first attempt at getting rid of those wheels.
Picked up this set of A-Specs in almost perfect condition from a guy selling "18 inch rims" for 300 obo. Bought a new set of tires, plastidipped the wheels black, then went to mount them and they didn't fit. Classic rookie mistake - these were made for an RL, which has the 5x120 bolt pattern. SMH.
@N1 - yep, the paint is nearly perfect, couple of touchups here and there but no fading or peeling or anything. Must have been garage kept and covered most of its life.
Picked up this set of A-Specs in almost perfect condition from a guy selling "18 inch rims" for 300 obo. Bought a new set of tires, plastidipped the wheels black, then went to mount them and they didn't fit. Classic rookie mistake - these were made for an RL, which has the 5x120 bolt pattern. SMH.
@N1 - yep, the paint is nearly perfect, couple of touchups here and there but no fading or peeling or anything. Must have been garage kept and covered most of its life.
#19
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Posts: 36,545
Received 6,470 Likes
on
5,162 Posts
Good lookin' ride-congrats.
#23
Instructor
Thread Starter
I thought about it but I didn't really look into it much. I know I put a lot of time into that set, but it just seemed so crazy to hack up a set of factory wheels when there's an exact same style made specifically for my TL. In the end it worked out, I sold the set to a guy who had been looking for them for his RL for a long time, and I got back what I had spent on them.
#24
Instructor
Thread Starter
Lol I had a feeling I was going to be in trouble for that. I just don't like ruining the factory finish, especially if the wheels are in such good shape. Plus, with my always-changing taste in wheels, I don't think I can handle that kind of commitment!
You have to admit though, all opinions of plastidip aside, the wheels turned out pretty decent/clean didn't they?
You have to admit though, all opinions of plastidip aside, the wheels turned out pretty decent/clean didn't they?
#25
Jeff
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Port City, New Brunswick Canada
Posts: 5,728
Received 815 Likes
on
726 Posts
they look ok i guess, I just personally don't like plastic dip.. lol its poor mans paint. maybe down the road get them powder coated or something... but the car looks good brother
#27
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well I do agree with you there - it is poor-man's paint, and I guess I would probably fall into that category lol. The TL is out of my league, but I do try to take care of her. Thank you for the compliments!
#28
Instructor
Thread Starter
So I found this set for $350 with tires. Trivia question! Who knows what car these are from??
#30
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Posts: 36,545
Received 6,470 Likes
on
5,162 Posts
The plasti-dip looks good-I notice a theme here......
#31
Instructor
Thread Starter
#32
Instructor
Thread Starter
#34
Instructor
Thread Starter
That is a good guess, but nope! I really thought someone would've guessed it, or at least made the guess of 2007-ish Accord wheels since they're pretty similar..
They're the Ralliart wheels off of a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer! lol.
They're the Ralliart wheels off of a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer! lol.
#36
Racer
I like those wheels in black! I'm in the same boat as you with the plastidip, I don't think I'll bother having my winter wheels refinished so it'll have to do.
However I find it attracts dirt like crazy. Did you use a clear coat or the gloss thing they sell? I have been told it helps keeping them clean and resist the elements better.
However I find it attracts dirt like crazy. Did you use a clear coat or the gloss thing they sell? I have been told it helps keeping them clean and resist the elements better.
#37
Instructor
Thread Starter
The tires on the Ralliart wheels had a lot of life left - 2 at 9/32 and 2 at 6/32 - but those two sixes had the worst feathering I've ever seen and were unbelievably loud, even mounted in the rear!
I like those wheels in black! I'm in the same boat as you with the plastidip, I don't think I'll bother having my winter wheels refinished so it'll have to do.
However I find it attracts dirt like crazy. Did you use a clear coat or the gloss thing they sell? I have been told it helps keeping them clean and resist the elements better.
However I find it attracts dirt like crazy. Did you use a clear coat or the gloss thing they sell? I have been told it helps keeping them clean and resist the elements better.
I did end up plasti-dipping part of the front grille as well (sorry Oh Sickest TL, lol), and on that I used the gloss/clear coat they sell and it definitely helps prevent the dirt buildup. I was also concerned that the plastidip would chip easily being on the front, but multiple road trips later it's still perfect. Could be the clear coat added some protection.
Last edited by Steven Bell; 03-31-2015 at 09:46 PM. Reason: Merge Posts
#39
Instructor
Thread Starter
Lol. Thanks man!
Here's a pic of the dipped grille. Kinda hard to tell in the pic, but it looks very nice in person. And I keep hitting myself for not doing the front bumper "ACURA" stamp at the same time. I will definitely be painting that black in the near future.
#40
Racer
I thought there were decals you could just stick in there? Dipping that seems like it wouldn't hold very well.