anybody have guide/writeup on beak removal for 2016+ rdx.

thanks in advance.

 

I haven't done a complete write up on it but I can give you a generalized procedure on how I did it. Did it about three weeks ago. Step one: remove the two fasteners that hold the air intake inlet and push the air intake back out of the way. The fasteners can be removed easily with a flat bladed screw driver. They are a plastic piece inside of a plastic washer. Pry up gently on the plastic center piece. Step two: remove the plastic cover that is under the hood and just above the beak. It surrounds the hood latch and a radiator cap, etc. It's held on by eight fasteners. Step three: remove the bolt from the left horn, disconnect the horn and remove it. Step four: there may be a small brace that needs to be removed in the area of the radar gizmo also, memory is a bit foggy there. Step five: Now you have to remove a bunch of small phillips-head screws and two clips, all from the backside of the beak. The screws are very small, I'd use a magnetized screw driver so that you don't drop them into the engine bay. The clips (they are a part of the beak) can be released by pinching them together and pulling the beak forward. The Acura emblem is not a part of the beak. Step six: pull the beak out, if it doesn't come out easily check for more screws/clips to be removed.

First pic is before, second is with the beak removed and the final one is of the beak out of the grill. Hope this helps a bit, I'm writing this by memory as I didn't keep notes while doing it.

 

Hi WSW,

Thanks for the beak removal guide! Now that yours has been painted and on the road for a couple of months how is it holding up and what did you use for paint? I'm still on the fence whether to use a rattle can or take the beak to an auto body shop to have it sprayed.

Cheers!

 

looks like it was done with plastidip.
plastidip isnt as impervious as an automotive paint and clear. meaning; it will get dinged up faster.

I also believe that the chrome material used on the beak wont allow automotive paint to adhere to the surface....

a better option is to vinyl wrap the beak. which is a win win!!!! would be a lot cheaper than painting it.

 

You're welcome! I've put about 1650 miles on the car since coating the beak 2 1/2 months ago. I used Plasti Dip in spray cans (I got mine from AutoZone). 4-5 coats of flat black and 3-4 coats of Plasti Dip glossifier. I am surprised at how well it has held up. It felt a bit sticky even after it had cured so I was concerned about bugs, etc sticking to it. However, that doesn't seem to be a problem. In actuality, stuff sticks to it less than it does to the body of the car.

I run the car through a brushless car wash whenever it gets dirty and that seems to clean the beak. It is kept garaged all of the time. There is no peeling, flaking or fading of the coating, it looks the same as when it was first coated. One great advantage to the Plasti Dip is that if I don't like it, or it gets damaged or I want to change color, etc. it is easily peeled off. That's my experience with it. I can say that I am pleased with it although I was a bit hesitant and skeptical before actually doing it.

 

I joked years ago about "plastidipping my wife" after I used the product for the first time on my now-gone '92 Toyota Land Cruiser. It's not a perfect product but sure is easy to work with and touch-ups are easy as well.

Looks good!

 

I previously wrapped my beak, a route Id recommend. Had it this way for a few years...



Eventually I removed the beak in favor of the #DeleteTheBeak mod...


First 2G RDX to go full #DeleteTheBeak

 

Is that guy on IG still doing them?
I wasn't sure if he had an option for the 13-15 years.

Hows the build quality and price?

If its near OEM quality, I'm sure the price would be worth it. Nothing is worse than those super cheap 99-00 civic mesh grills you can find on eBay that come with crooked chicken wire that is wood-screwed into the plastic.

 

I love this mod. But, this makes the Radar exposed (since it's not in the center, more aligned to the right), does it get damaged by small rocks? Since the beak was protecting it before.

 

He is still building grills for TLX, RDX, and MDX. For mine, I had him buy an OEM grill and modify. The mesh I chose because of it closely matching the hexagonal mesh on the lower bumper inserts.

The vents in the mesh are quite small and should protect the radar from rocks. In fact, this would be more of a concern for those who swap to the complete 2019+ grill as that insert has bigger openings then the mesh I’m using