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To start things off I have been lurking and occasionally posting around here for quite awhile. I thought it was about time I tried to post something useful/interesting. I bought an 05 Acura RL in March 2015 with front end damage and it has been sitting in may garage ever since. Last week a great parts car became available and I bought it so I will try to detail the repairs as best as possible. So far I have removed the damaged front end from the car I am fixing, now I just need to take apart the parts car and start cutting in the parts (painting the edges Red). So I can reassemble. Progress may be slow at times as I work a lot and have a 3 year old and another on the way so I only to get to work on it once a week if that. Here come the iPhone pics(sorry about the quality)
What's wrong with the parts car? Good luck on your journey. One kid makes working on your car hard enough, but two is nearly impossible (or it is for me).
Be sure to keep in mind the multiple common issues the 2005 suffered from that may not be part of your rebuild. Door handles, A/C compressor/clutch/stator, and drive shaft are the most common, but even the torque converter and head unit have shown to be a little weak.
What's wrong with the parts car? Good luck on your journey. One kid makes working on your car hard enough, but two is nearly impossible (or it is for me).
Be sure to keep in mind the multiple common issues the 2005 suffered from that may not be part of your rebuild. Door handles, A/C compressor/clutch/stator, and drive shaft are the most common, but even the torque converter and head unit have shown to be a little weak.
The parts car is a flood car and doesn't start/run. Still has plenty of great parts I need though! I may dump it at the car auction after I get all the parts I need and try to get some of my money back out of it. The red car I am fixing is in amazing condition for its age. I believe it was dealer serviced and well taken care of. The door handles all function properly. I'm not sure about he A/C or drive shaft yet but in owning 2 cars hopefully I can get the issues straightened out without buying anything additional
The parts car is a flood car and doesn't start/run. Still has plenty of great parts I need though! I may dump it at the car auction after I get all the parts I need and try to get some of my money back out of it. The red car I am fixing is in amazing condition for its age. I believe it was dealer serviced and well taken care of. The door handles all function properly. I'm not sure about he A/C or drive shaft yet but in owning 2 cars hopefully I can get the issues straightened out without buying anything additional
Well definitely set those parts aside for the future in case they do work.
I started taking the parts car apart last night. I only had about an hour because I had to get home to watch Thursday Night Football! I plan on trying to get the parts car taken all apart this weekend and start putting the red one back together. I'll get some pictures this weekend of the progress.
Is my assumption that you work on cars for a living correct?
I did for about 8 years after highshool. Worked at a small local car dealer where I learned frame, body, and paintwork then moved on to the local Honda dealership as a mechanic. I am in the IT field now The shop I have been working out of is owned by a close friend. I do occasionally still buy a car to flip or in this case because I wanted one but couldn't justify the payments on a newer one.
That looks like an almost unbelievably easy repair. Driver must've braked at the last minute in traffic.
Did the SRS trigger?
It did not trigger the SRS. I'm not sure it the vehicle was parked and a truck backed into it or possibly the driver wasn't wearing their seat belt or was going too slow... who knows? It should be an easy fix I think the worst part is going to be replacing the upper core support as its pretty mangled but that shouldn't be more than a few hours with a drill and a welder.
I only had a few hours over the weekend but I painted the underside of the black hood and installed it on the Red RL. I also removed most of the parts I need off the Black RL. Stay tuned for updates
Good Hood on the Red RL, sorry the picture is so blurry
Started taking apart the parts car and put the damaged hood back on it
Nearly there - I hope it all lines up nicely. And starts...
It does run and drive around the lot. I did however have to replace the battery and alternator.
Originally Posted by kss007
Getting there, don't see many Redondo Red Pearl RLs very much
It does seem to be a unique color. It has proven to be a difficult color to match as well. I am hoping to repaint the hood and fender this weekend because it turned out darker than the factory panels and I am unhappy with the color match.
Well I got her all put together and she drives really nice. Here's some pictures. I'm still not happy with the color match but I'll redo it later. The body panels all line up really nice! Sorry the pictures and lighting aren't the best.
It is a pretty color although a pita to match, it's very transparent when you spray it on.
Originally Posted by Blues Legend
The moody lighting hides any mismatch pretty well.
Come out well, I'd say.
It does although in the first picture you can slightly see it. The passenger fender is OE and the hood has been repainted. Most people might not notice in real life if I didn't point it out however I am kinda OCD when it comes to this stuff.
I really need to clean it up and take some better pictures in full daylight and see what everyone thinks.
I think I should repaint it one more time. In talking with a professional painter he believes the color does match, however as I sprayed over black panels and the red is so transparent you can still see the black underneath. He thinks I need 2-3 more coats of paint for complete coverage
Last edited by kaza; Dec 22, 2015 at 01:53 PM.
Reason: i cant has spel
The shop I have been working out of is owned by a close friend. I do occasionally still buy a car to flip or in this case because I wanted one but couldn't justify the payments on a newer one.
Thanks though
