Finally got my shift plate mod done :)
#1
Racer
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Finally got my shift plate mod done :)
Thanks for everyone's help. It was VERY easy to do. Once I knew to just pull up on the trim pieces it all came right off. The graffiti remover worked like charm. Total cost was $5. Well worth it in my book. The paint on my shift plate was kind of scratched up, it looks brand new now. Plus I like the Bling factor that it adds.
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#9
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Originally Posted by SatinSilverTypS
holy crap it looks amazing! what kind of paint did you use?
#10
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
It's not paint. The 99 TL had a chrome shift plate that the geniuses at Acura decided to paint over. Dunk it in some paint remover to show the beautiful chrome underneath.
#14
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The '99 shift plate would fit on a '02, BUT you would not be able shift into 1st gear manually on right side. If you are in sport shift, you still would be able to. The '99 is 4 spd so it does not have the cut out to go the right at the bottom of the shift plate. You can see this in the pic if you need clarification. Also I think that the window for the 1-2 indicator may be smaller on the '99 since it only says "1" instead of "1-2".
#15
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Originally Posted by yankystat
Is there a DIY for this?
Step 1:
Remove shift knob. If you have never removed it, it will be HARD to get off the first time. Just remember lefty loosey, righty tightey.
Step 2:
Just sort of push the trim piece that is around the shift plate to one side and pull up on it. It just snaps in place. This is the piece that has the hole for the shift lock release.
Step 3:
Unclip the shift plate, there are 4 clips holding it in place, you will probably need a small flathead to do this. Again, just push to one side to assist in getting the clips off.
Step 4:
Use paint remover, graffiti remover or something similar. Spray or brush on the remover, let sit for a couple minutes. Then rinse off. Repeat if necassary, you may still have a little paint left on the sides.
Step 5:
Put it all back together.
Step 6:
Post on here about how you like your new bling.
#16
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I got to step 3,
and then. . . .
those 4 clips . . .huh?
Which 4 is it that im pushing on, the ones that are on the side of the actual shift plate or the ones lower down?
also theyre not really budging. . .any more tips? push each side or what??
and then. . . .
those 4 clips . . .huh?
Which 4 is it that im pushing on, the ones that are on the side of the actual shift plate or the ones lower down?
also theyre not really budging. . .any more tips? push each side or what??
#18
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I dont think so. I finally got the shift plate off (took me a few minutes cause im a moron) and now Im peeling away the dullness to a sparkling chrome. . . . But the peeling process isnt completely easy and its a lot better to have the actual piece in ur hand to manuever and what not.
#20
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You might be able to use brake fluid, I know it does strip paint. You could sit there and chip all the paint off, but I think you might end up marring up the chrome in the process.
#23
woooo!!
Originally Posted by dands99tl
Step 1:
Remove shift knob. If you have never removed it, it will be HARD to get off the first time. Just remember lefty loosey, righty tightey.
Step 2:
Just sort of push the trim piece that is around the shift plate to one side and pull up on it. It just snaps in place. This is the piece that has the hole for the shift lock release.
Step 3:
Unclip the shift plate, there are 4 clips holding it in place, you will probably need a small flathead to do this. Again, just push to one side to assist in getting the clips off.
Step 4:
Use paint remover, graffiti remover or something similar. Spray or brush on the remover, let sit for a couple minutes. Then rinse off. Repeat if necassary, you may still have a little paint left on the sides.
Step 5:
Put it all back together.
Step 6:
Post on here about how you like your new bling.
Remove shift knob. If you have never removed it, it will be HARD to get off the first time. Just remember lefty loosey, righty tightey.
Step 2:
Just sort of push the trim piece that is around the shift plate to one side and pull up on it. It just snaps in place. This is the piece that has the hole for the shift lock release.
Step 3:
Unclip the shift plate, there are 4 clips holding it in place, you will probably need a small flathead to do this. Again, just push to one side to assist in getting the clips off.
Step 4:
Use paint remover, graffiti remover or something similar. Spray or brush on the remover, let sit for a couple minutes. Then rinse off. Repeat if necassary, you may still have a little paint left on the sides.
Step 5:
Put it all back together.
Step 6:
Post on here about how you like your new bling.
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#26
Instead of spraying stuff on, haven't some of the guys just throw the plate in a small amount of paint remover and let it sit in the chemicals for a while instead of having to 'peel away' at it by hand? I haven't done this mod yet, so I could be completely mistaken..but think I remember some others saying that's what they did.
#27
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BTW- if anyone has a shift plate they want to sell me i'd like to buy it. (chromed or not doesn't matter). just asking before i call dealerships (none open at 11PM, thought i'd ask first). Thanks. -shawn
#30
woooo!!
Originally Posted by PDX3.2TL
Wondering if this mod will work on an 00'TL? It doesn't look like it has chrome underneath the whole thing but i guess you never know....
#31
Originally Posted by subtledreamer
nope. theres chrome underneath the paint only on 99s.
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NM.... LOOKED CLOSER AT THE PICS.... OO'S HAVE A DIFF 1-2 GEAR SETUP.... DAMMMMMIITTTT!!! :p
#32
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Originally Posted by yankystat
I got to step 3,
and then. . . .
those 4 clips . . .huh?
Which 4 is it that im pushing on, the ones that are on the side of the actual shift plate or the ones lower down?
also theyre not really budging. . .any more tips? push each side or what??
and then. . . .
those 4 clips . . .huh?
Which 4 is it that im pushing on, the ones that are on the side of the actual shift plate or the ones lower down?
also theyre not really budging. . .any more tips? push each side or what??
#33
There are some cons to the bling bling. It does reflect if the sun is at the right angle. Chrome part gets scrached easily. It leaves smuggest easily like finger prints. But it sure does look 100x better. The 99 TL shift plate will fit 00-03 TL. You guys will just lose the ability to gate shift into 1st gear, but you don't really need that. Everything else lines up.
Here's my pix.
Here's my pix.
![](http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/7eacb532570ff6858afd2723755ff790/full_894_p25807.jpg)
#35
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question...just called my dealer and asked for a 99 TL shift plate....he said it's $8, and it's plastic (silver) and it's painted chrome. "the chrome shows"........he confused me....isn't it metal, chome, painted over silver.?...please lemme know as soon as i get an answer i'll order one. thanks guys. -shawn
#36
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The '99 shift plate is actually made out of plastic. It is then chrome plated, THEN 2nd painted silver. You can sort of see the chrome color on the underside of the plate. As far as I understand it, ALL '99 shift plates are this way, so if you order a 99 shift plate, you can do this mod.
#37
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so it sounds right, right? plastic, plate, not the letters P, R, D, just the plate for $8...thanks.
EDIT: damn, i have to go there in person and order it (he doens't have it in stock). BTW, anyone know the cheapest place to buy HONDA/ACURA ATF?....i was gonna buy it from the dealer. Thanks.
EDIT: damn, i have to go there in person and order it (he doens't have it in stock). BTW, anyone know the cheapest place to buy HONDA/ACURA ATF?....i was gonna buy it from the dealer. Thanks.
#40
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Originally Posted by TL260power
isnt $8 cheap enough?
BTW- what's the easiest and best way to get the silver paint off the shift plate....and i mean like what brands of thinner. i could find them close to anywhere right? like sears hardware. thanks. -shawn