Acura TL rear lip project bumper removal DIY
 

So I started my TL rear lip over the weekend. It actually has come together at lot easier and quicker than I thought it would. I know there are other "DIY" threads about the process, but more can't hurt. so here we go.

Tools:
- Dremel
- socket set (8 mm is the only end you'll need)
- phillips head screw driver
- flat head screw driver
- pliers
- epoxy resin/plastic weld/bondo
- paint (if you aren't going to take it to the paint shop after)

--TEST FITTING THE LIP

So you have your TL lip. You're going to want to cut it into three pieces. Although you could probably line it up as one complete piece this will just help because you'll have to bend/flex the end pieces to get them to fit properly and this will just take some stress off the rest of the pieces.

I made the cuts right after the exhuast cut outs on the lip:

Attachment 54908

You're also going to want to trim some of the end near the wheel well out. that won't fit without a couple inches removed

Attachment 54909

Attachment 54910

Here is the lip cut up and fit onto the bumper:

Attachment 54911

--TAKING THE REAR BUMPER OFF

There should be the following screws/bolts to remove
1. two screws on the rear of each wheel well (one at the top of the rear wheel well and one in the middle of the rear) also there are two plastic "stoppers" that you can pop off with a flathead
2. plastic bolts under the trunk lid where the bumper attaches between the tail lights
3. two plastic bolts underneath the bumper near the mufflers. (i just broke these off, they were awful to get off nicely.)
4. the last were underneath the tail lights, so take the 8mm ratchet and unbolt the tail lights and take these screws:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...i/DSCN0307.jpg
off

....after this the rear bumper should just slide right off (you'll have to unclip the license plate light)

And heres what you get.

Attachment 54912

Now you can work on the actual rear lip.

I removed the test fitted lip and then etched where the lip layed with some 150 grit sand paper. This helps the lip bond better to the plastic. I then replaced the lip.

Attachment 54913

Then you're just going to want to start layering epoxy along the edges. What I did is since the lip wont fit exactly flush, you're going to want to tape it down, this way it sits closest to the bumper and also the epoxy wont drip onto the rest of the bumper. I used "Gorilla tape" and i really liked the way it worked. Held very fast, and easy to remove.


Anyways, it's mounted on the car now, I just need to reassemble, and sand/bondo/paint it to make it look pretty.

more pics and info to come!

Nice write up Evan! :thumsup:

Appreciate the info.

Yeah hope it come out sick..........

Did you buy your lip used?

Good info, seems to be coming along well :thumbsup:

Nice job!!

yea it was used. it used to be silver. Got the entire lip kit. Now its just primered until I paint it (probably wednesday)

MORE PICS!

So after all the epoxy resin and plastic weld sets heres what it should like:

Attachment 54905

Attachment 54906

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...i/DSCN0317.jpg

Attachment 54907

its not bondo'ed/feathered into the bumper or painted.....ill get to that wednesday...more pics to come!

Damn nice! Your lipkit is complete! Im still INCOMPLETE =[ lol

whats up with ur tires backwards?

Sick!

:spit: :rofl: :owned:

Why hide it now? :teef:

^ :werd:

I wasnt trying to hide it. I couldnt get a good picture with it and the flash. it was about 9 oclock at night when I shot it. So I would have posted pics of nothing but a big flash of light on the license plate.

And the tires on on backwards because when I got them I did a "swap" with my old rims from this guy in Jax, and I wasn't really paying attention, I was just trying to get back to Gainesville because I drove up there in a break I had from class. I'm getting them fixed this weekend when I take it in.

this time the rear lip looks more straight, remember to flare out the sides.

How do you flare out the sides?

muscle

its abs, its flexible.

LIP KIT IS DONE! it feels good to have it complete (kind of)

the rear lip needs a bit more work....But its getting there. Anyways, here are the updated pics.


picture taken infront of my mansion.
Attachment 54901

beautiful florida day
Attachment 54902

haven't been washed in a while, but still not looking TOO bad...
Attachment 54903

oh and before anyone says it...

yes. I need a drop.

BOOM!
Attachment 54904
....its a photoshop.

work on the grill coming next week....

Nice update Evan! :woot:

Coming along man!

nice! any shots from the rear? did you end up flaring it?

Yeah...I'm still unsure about how the "flaring" looks.

im jealous bro...really jealous

whoa why didn't you follow the body lines on the rear? front looks nice.

:what:

amazing work man, that look sick! cant believe honda didnt just make a lip kit for the cl.

not bad, your side skirts a little to long tho no? or am i seeing things

SLOW DOWNNNNNNN! (this is how bored i was)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/miroc/evcl.jpg

^ Dude that photoshop is for real tight! lol how'd you do the rims?

and the kit looks good by the way! What are you planning for the grill?

+1.... plus the front is still frowning O.O

appreciate all the compliments guys!

there is still a bit more work to do but i'm really happy with how it all turned out

looks like u need to take more time with fitment and planning.....gg on trying tho

well....fitment was actually perfect. but thanks for the input!

Nice chop STYLIN!! Great work evan!:thumbsup:

your sideskirts look too long, they are flared out funny, the rear lip is slanted in a way that it doesnt match the body lines, and the front lip is all crooked. i can see the seam from reconnecting the pieces in your pic standing 10 feet away from the car.

fitment needs work dawg.

and it looks like you didnt scrape the excessive resedue from between the rear bumper and lip... you can see it from the pics from far away :sorry:

i know there is still more to do. please read my posts before commenting on what i "forgot" to do. :smash:

thanks bro, i was starting to feel unappreciated on acurazine :tomato:

I didnt say you forgot anything, I just said you didnt do it... youre saying theres still more to do but you already had it painted :dunno:

it's color match spray paint i had left over from the front lip. i painted it up because i had to take it to a law school thing and i didn't want to roll up with epoxy and primer everywhere. So i didn't really have it painted. :tongue:

anyways. thanks for the all the compliments....and/or "constructive" criticism guys!