Ok, you can decide for yourself . . . . but a picture does not lie.

Timeline
22 Nov 2003 - TSX is Delivered (8 miles)
24 Nov 2003 - Mud Guards are installed (106 miles)
20 Feb 2004 - Mud Guards are removed for OEM Kit installation (3903 miles)

Here is the removal picture from the rear.

The fronts were WORSE.

Using some Honda Spray Polish, I was able to remove the majority of the crap. However, a fine but noticeable haze was impacted into the paint. I can probably remove that with a fine grade polish, so I will try that tomorrow, weather permitting.

Verdict
I would NOT install the mud guards on the TSX. IMO, the paint will suffer permanent damage. I live in Dallas and we have pretty mild winters, so I can only imagine what a harsh climate does to the paint.

Needless to say, my guards are up for sale, $25 shipped FedEx Ground.

 

Sorry to see that. Hope you can get it out. There was a thread about this long time ago where others also advised not to put the mudguards on. Did you not remove it then?

I took mine off immediately after I read it, had about 1500 miles already, and I noticed a small stone embedded in the paint. I had a slight haze too but was easily removed by polish. It also helps to have a silver car where it's easier to hide blemishes.

 

does the OEM kit cover a lot of the scratch?

 

dang, i better remove mine. my car has 600 miles on it.

 

I know this is coming. I already have over 5000km on it and counting, so I'm sure I will see it.

What does Acura say?? Is it not covered under some warranty? I'd be just as happy to just leave them on and not see the damage underneath, but it might start rusting.

 

I have the OEM kit installed on mine. You will be replacing the original side skirts with the kit so you won't see the effects of the mudguards as much. At least this is what I can picture in my head without looking at the car.

 

I am not sure that it will start rusting. Has anyone actually seen rusting? This looks like the same marking I have on my 92 Accord where the moonroof visor is. It hasn't rusted in 12 years of being on.

Looks to me as just some dirt and grime built up, which you won't see unless you remove them. I think its better than having the majority of the underside scratched and dented from all the rock salt and gravel they spread around here during the winters.

just my opinion

 

oh, I'm sure you won't see it rusting for quite a while. But if this is what happens after 5000km, I imagine in a year or two, the scratches will be down to the metal. You won't see anything unless you take off the mud guard.

So nobody has bothered complaining to Acura or the dealer about this obviously flawed design?

 

I doubt that Acura would say that the design is "flawed" from what I've seen this is pretty typical for these type of plastic boots. When I removed the running boards on my 4Runner I found similar results. However, there has been no rust or anything (4Runner is 8 years old, and running boards have been off for about 3 years).

This is making me think twice about putting the splashguards on. . . maybe I'll try padding the edge of the guards where the majority of the rubbing occured (weather striping or something????).

 

Hm.. I guess it's up to us to do something about it on our own then. Maybe the service department will be kind enough to put some padding on there for free. I suppose permanent discolouring or roughness isn't that big of a deal if you never intend to take them off.

 

hey can we see pics of your car with the kit and your 5-stars. i have the same exact car and i want the 5 stars

 

Thank god the mud guards are not on my car! My roomate has them on his prelude and they look gay! They just don't flow with the car...IMO they should only be on SUV's and trucks.

 

Have you ever seen them painted to match the car? They don't make the car look any better, but I don't think they make the car look any worse, either. I bought a painted set from an a-tsx user, chocodai (where has he been?), but I haven't put them on yet.

People have suggested putting foam tape or some of that 3M clear bra stuff around the edges that touch the body panel. I was also thinking about rubber weather stripping.

 

another reason i like leasing my cars. if i leave the splash guards on it does 2 things.
1 it coveres the damaged paint
2 it prevents rock chips along the lower part of the body. we have a lot of sand on the roads in the winter in colorado.

when i trade the car in after 3 years its someone elses problem, what do i care?

 

 

I got them for free from the dealer cuz they were allready on the car.. I think I'm going to ask the dealer to take them off.

 

I just removed my mud guards. 3 screws for each flap and took about 20 mins. The flaps left light scratches for the 2 fronts only, the rears were fine.

I wish I read about this sooner, I have about 800miles on my TSX so far.

I hope I don't get alot of scratches from removing the mud guards.

 

Just removed my splash guards cause STL wanted them. Even in the poor lighting of my apartment complex's parking garage, I can see faint traces of the scratches. However, it appears to be much less than what you have, gsclifton. Although, I'm sure it will stand out pretty clearly in daylight as my car is black. Were you able to get most of it restored with the PC?

 

just installed my kit the other night and took the mud guards off...the front shows the infamous scratches but the rear is fine... i tried to polish it off but it didn't work...

 

I removed the initial dirt with Honda Spray Polish.

The following day, I washed the car, and clayed the areas with the hazing. I used 1Z Paint Polish followed by 1Z Metallic Polish applied with a PC.

That got the paint imperfections out for me.

 

for some reason, I thought Alin10123 bumped this old ass thread

 

My mud gaurds are going on as a freebie through the dealer. How good are they at protecting from debris or rocks etc? I know for a fact I don't ever plan on having any body kits, so I don't think theres any reason I would want them off. I think they look ok on. Could leaving them on as long, as long as you plan on leaving them on basically forever, cause more harm than good?

 

I took mine off the first week I got the car. Didnt want to risk damaging the paint and I think they look bad. But I suppose keeping them ok could protect your car from a rock that your tire kicked up.

 

that happend to me.. i just took off my mudgaurds and its about the same dmg u got

 

ummm. You can do it yourself. It will only take 5mins to do it.