I am pretty sure this has been discussed about before, but I want to know if there is another way to get the d pillars replaced or fixed without going to the dealership and paying $400 dollars for a new set. There was this guy that was selling some self do moldings on top of the existing pillars for like 43 dollars shipped. Does anyone know who I am talking about? Possibly is there another person on this site that sells them or have an idea where I can get some new pillars without paying that much?

 

This can be an unsightly problem. I do recall having seen some posts on the topic, which would be available by performing a simple "search". Ebay has some chromed style pillar covers, but they're not appealing to all individuals, including myself.

 

im not sure if the person is sill selling them but i think in the groupbuy there was someone selling the overlays which goes right over them for $40 a set.

 

or $65 from acuraoemparts, you should be able to find DIY on azine.

 

Isn't that each one though? That's kinda steep. I need to replace them too.

 

Just take them off and sand them and spray them gloss black

 

I heard other members wet sand it and then spray it with gloss paint, but I am kind of a noob to this stuff. So I guess I will search the DIY because I did see something in regards to the the B-pillars. Wetsand meaning???? what?? Put the sand paper in water and then sand the pillar? haha!! Please let me know. Thanks.

 

If you dont know what it means- do not attempt it yourself

 

Ok I guess I wont try it myself. Im debating if I should just get it done at a near by auto body shop or just buy the OEM ones and replace them, but i heard the OEM replacements will most likely peel off like in a year or two. The problem with the autobody I dont want them to do a F* uped job and I pay the same amt. for new ones. Hmm.. Why should I not try it myself 01tl??? Could you tell me real quick what is wetsanding then? Worst case scenario if i mess up on the pillar i can sand it down and do it again, right?

 

Fsttyms has the simplest approach. Here's a bit of elaboration on doing this: The original pillar appliques will need removed first by heat using a hairdryer. Lightly wetsand the pillar posts/surrounds with a 1000 grit 3M pad using a diluted liquid soap solution in water. Let dry, wipe down pillars with mineral spirits to remove any residuals. Tape off edges, then mask window area and any surrounding surface that may possibly get overspray during the painting process. Prior to painting, use a tack cloth for any dust on the posts. Using a high quality gloss or satin black spray can of paint, carefully apply light even coats. If you attempt to do it all in one pass, you'll definitely end up with some saggy runs or orangepeel. So, if inexperienced at spraying paint.....try on a similar vertical surface before "spraying wildly" onto your beloved TL.

 

how can i take off the pillar? any DIY on where the nuts are behind the doors? also, does anyone know how if u can take off the chrome trim around the pillars?

 

pillars can be removed.
just sand it down, rubbing alcohol. start at 8 in the morning, get like 8 light coats of gloss black on that bad boy, 10 mins between each coat, 80 mins. let it sit for 3 hours. wetsand with 2000 grit. hit it with a rubbing compound to even out the paint. maybe a polishing compound after if you're really anal. clean it off, hit it with 4 layers or so of clearcoat. wetsand with 2500 if you've got some. polishing compound. costs about 20 bucks in all.
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/death-7-pit-bulls-ouch-124277/

 

alright im gonna try that 3.2tlc and razzi. Thanks for the tips. Worst case if I dont like it or it doesnt turn out how I want it I can redo the process, correct? Im going to kragen right now .

 

thanks a lot man, im gon be doin this on a nice sunday very soon

 

alright!! after I got off I went to kragen got all the supplies and my dad helped me with the painting. Obviously we all know what they look like before, so when the paint dry I will give it a good wash detail. Then I will post some pics !!!!

 

Any pics yet? If you have some orange peel (when the paint looks like it has dimples) you can wetsand the clearcoat that you put on until it is all completely dull and there is no shiny-ness left to it. You want to sand lightly though, don't try to dig into it. Use 2500 or 2000 grit paper. After its completely dull, go over it with a polish to bring back the shine. They'll look better than new! Don't forget, post pics.

 

I'm having the same problem, I have been debating wheather i should do it myself or just buy new ones. Can't wait to see the pics!

 

FYI: just noticed on Ebay, somebody has "precut" black vinyl overlays with adhesive. These are supposed to be custom fit for our TL's window pillars. The price is like $70 for the set.

 

Do it yourself. For 10 dollars you could sand them down and spray them gloss black.

Want to see pics, Use the search button. There have been a few that painted the B pillar pieces and posted pics.

 

I definitely suggest removing them and painting them yourself like fsttyms1 suggested. What's the worst that can happen, you end up having to buy new ones? And if you do a decent job, that still looks better than the faded peeling ones.

 

I'll even make it easy for you....here are pics from when I painted mine. Since then, i wetsanded it again and polished it and now they are perfectly smooth and shiny...the look as good as new.

 

^^ looks way better than mine that are all jacked up and peeling. another project to add to the list. thanks for posting picts!

 

pics are coming soon .. Just gotta get a hold of a camera haha. See mine actually turned out like yours snowman. My dad told me to not wet sand it but I did on the driver side. I sand it too much on the read door so it kind of looks weird, but only from an angle. The passenger side on the other hand is gorgeous my dad did that side(just sanding with 1000). I used a rubbing compound and then a polishing compound. Damn kragen didnt have any clear coat so I might do that later on im not sure because I am actually fine with how it looks right now. Looks way better than before. Pics soon though..

 

I would go with the clear coat. It gives it a little more shine and will protect the paint that is there so it lasts a little longer. After you do the clear coat (several coats are required), it will more than likely look like my first pic. That is when you wetsand with 2000 grit sand paper very lightly until all the gloss is gone. Then put some polish on it and it should be good as new.
The good thing is, if you don't get it right the first time, you can always go back and do it again. You should work on it to get it looking better than your dads side.

 

No problem, definitely worth it. That was one of the first things people would notice about my car and I hated it. Now, they just tell me how gorgeous my car is (but it still needs lots of work).

 

i hate to hijack a thread but all this clearcoat talk got me thinking. Is there anything worth having your car "repsprayed" with a fresh coat of clear? any more shine or anything?

 

snowman- even without the clear coat both sides look dead on the picture you provided. You said after the clear coat it will like the picture, but it looks like that already so it might even look BETTER if i put the clear coat haha. Like I said I am satisfied with the results(thanks for the instructs & DIYs)

Instead of making another thread and doing so much search Ill add on to this thread on a different topic. Anyone have rotora slotted rotors front & rear with satisifed ceramic pads??? Cuz I am thinking about getting that setup along with ss lines.

 

I have rotora slotted in the front with the ceramic pads, but I had to do it again, I wouldn't have gotten ceramic pads. Check out the hawk pads. If you have questions on brakes, talk to 01tl4tl. Send him a PM and let him know what questions you have. He is a brake expert, and may even be able to hook you up with a discount through Mr. Heel Toe (one of the vendors).

 

Just had mine painted by a mobile paint guy, $100 not too bad. Cruise a dealership or bodyshop looking for a paint guy, usually dressing up cars for sale on the lot. Most of these guys will take cash off the books.

 

Just ordered them in CF. (real, not a decal)

 

My pillars look shady! Where did you find CF covers? I am assuming they are stick on type covers? I'm either going to get some or paint mine soon, as they detract from the beauty of the car.

Thanks for the tip on the S door sills from S.C.O. I got a set with the red S. They are nice and worth the $!

 

note to self* read this thread after finals and redo my pillars...

 

Fixed it for ya!

 

hahahah that depends on how i do mine...

 

pm sent. np on the sills glad you like them.

 

do you think its possible to just tape around the edges and spray paint them instead of taking them off. im pretty lazy and would rather take the easy way out by just getting some tape and some newspaper to cover up around the pillars and then paint them. anyone think there will be a problem with doing this?

 

Please let me know if this works. What kind of spray paint where you thinking of using?

 

it worked fine just took some time to make sure i covered everything around it because it would be pretty bad if i got black spray paint on my paint job or windows. i bought this black auto spray paint from autozone that is made for the exterior of cars for $5

 

If you do get a little overspray its not a real bg deal, thats what clay is for, and if clay doesn't work a little rubbing alcohol immediately followed by a good wash will fix that as well. But it will save a lot of time to cover the best you can.

 

i bought some vinyl overlays for mine and it turned out really good.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180960