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.

 

i couldn't resist. got any pics?

 

 

Yeah I'll get it up in a little bit... Gotta get it on my site first

 

 

holy crap it looks amazing! what kind of paint did you use?

 

blang blang. i wish i could do that to an 00

 

Damned...now it smy turn for my 99.

Looks very nice.

 

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.

 

Like NSXNEXT said, it is actually chrome from the factory, and then painted silver over top of it. I actually used Grafitti remover which is in a spray can that I bought at the local Home Depot for $5. Just don't leave it on the plastic too long, it only takes a minute or two for the paint to come off.

 

Is the 99 the only year where you can do this? Does the 99 fit the 02?

 

i guess i will be doing this mod after work haha

 

Is there a DIY for this?

 

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".

 

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.

 

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??

 

just curious, but is it possible to do while it is still on the car...like not removing it. thanks for the help.

 

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.

 

How about using brake fluid, I remember when i used to build RC cars, that was the best way to strip paint. Just a thought. AV

 

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.

 

So there's no way to do it to an 03

 

I just did it!...10 mins max !

Man it looks great !

So easy too.

 

wow thanks for the DIY! ill do it later when the paint gets scratched more

 

Trust me, do it now. It looks dumb with the paint on it.

 

Here are my pics, it was taken in the dark in my garage.

 

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.

 

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

 

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....

 

i just did it it took me 5 min i sprayed graffiti remover went took a piss and wiped it down and put it back.. now its bling bling

 

nope. theres chrome underneath the paint only on 99s.

 

THAT JUST SUX... SO WILL THE 99' FIT ON THE OO' THEN.... SUX AGAIN... GRR...

NM.... LOOKED CLOSER AT THE PICS.... OO'S HAVE A DIFF 1-2 GEAR SETUP.... DAMMMMMIITTTT!!! :p

 

The outer gray plastic ring (plate) does not align properly with the silver shift plate. Is there a way of fixing this?

 

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.

 

im gonna do this mod.. looks nice...

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

isnt $8 cheap enough?

 

I don't know that you can buy Honda ATF anywhere other than at the dealer...

 

yeah yeah, HELLZ yeah! i was just confirming....it sounds REALLY cheaper than i thought....i was waiting for $50+.....anyway, i'm hear that HONDA ATF is cheaper (and the identical thing) at a HONDA dealer than an ACURA dealership....what do you think? i gotta get the oil, the drain plug washer, and the shift plate



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