Back in March when I got the TL-S, I read in a post on the CL-S forum of someone painting the Y-pipes (for lack of the proper term) in the rear, under-side of the car; you know the ones you can see on any Acura ('99-'02 TL) when you're driving behind it or standing a good distance behind it -- they look all rusty and weathered. Mine were like that when I took delivery! So are everyone else's. So this person sanded the rust down, and painted it w/ 1500 degree engine paint .. colors ranged anywhere from gloss black (like mine) to chrome, to electric blue.

Just curiuos if anyone else has done this since I last posted about this two months ago, mine is still holding up and it looks great. Much better than the rusty pipes. It only took 15 minutes and 5 dollars, btw.

Pete

 

Shoofin'TL (a mod) painted his y pipe black. PM or ask him for details...

 

Yep, I did mine too with flat black, high temp. paint. I didn't have any rust at the time so I didn't have to sand it off. It still looks great after 4 months or so.

The best (and cheapest) mod I ever did.

 

What's the easiest way to spray paint it without hoisting it up? I don't have a hoist.

 

Is there any potential problems with this mod. I would like to paint mine black as well. Well to you find this kind of paint?

 

You don't have to hoist the car up. I simply crawled under there and coated the pipes with a couple of passes with the spray can.

You can find many different brands of the paint at any automotive/hardware store. It's labeled "high heat" or "high temp" right on the cans.

 

I didn't hoist my car up either. I just put some newspaper down on the garage floor, and crawled under there, held the can upright, and sprayed two even coats. Then, after 30 minutes to allow it to get tacky, I applied two more even coats. It held up very well. Don't drive it for about five hours, and if it's wet out, don't drive it for a day (let it completely dry).

I used Krylon Automotive Engine Paint ($5.50 at Super TrakAuto). I was considering electric blue, but it would have looked way too ricey, and it wouldn't have added to the elegance of the Diamond White Pearl. I considered red, since the red "S" complements the White rather well, but again, I like the cool black gloss look, it always looks clean.

When I drive behind Acura's, I can't stand looking at that rusty metal, especially if the car is all shined up and rather new. I agree, this is the best inexpensive mod.

 

I did mine, didnt jaqck the car up either. I just did what Pete did. Crawled under there and put newspaper down on the floor and behind the Y pipe over my Sways etc to prevent overspray. I bought Krylon BBQ Hightemp Flat black and sprayed several coats on it.

I have done the same exact thing on all my cars mufflers that were unfiinished and it lasts fine. After a few years on my Accord I had to give it a few more coats, but its no big deal and I like how the entire exhaust except for the tips just blends into the shadows under the car.

 

I have no rust and NO desire to paint my pipes. You right coast and mid coast guys must be getting all the rust. That's not a problem here on the southern left coast.

 

I didnt have any rust on my TL, I just didnt like how the pipes stood out so much. Especially in my driveway which slopes up. When walking up the driveway they stood out like sore thumbs. Now they are painted, blend in and arent so noticeable.

 

I did mine as well! I don't think stainless CAN rust. It just discolors

 

You can see them even with your body kit?

 

Even with the kit and lowered, it's still clearly visible.
It would definately look better painted flat black.
I've had the can of paint in my garage for over a month now...
Maybe I'll should use it...

 

does anyone have pics?? please post =)

 

am i the only one with a TL-S whose car already came with painted y-pipe? both of my mufflers are flat black. maybe it only comes like that on a black car?

 

-I painted the pipes and the mufflers about a week ago.
-I used high-temp low gloss black and they look great.
-I didnt jack the car up, i creatively used the curb and street.
-I didnt even sand anything down, just cleaned the pipes and mufflers good.
-I did use a wire brush on one of the mufflers to get rid of some peeling paint.

 

Zodiak, not the mufflers, the Y pipe. It's the pipe that connects the two mufflers together.

 

Here's a couple of pics.

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/7f629...17IX7AIIQ5XSIq

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/7f629...H8IX7A.B9YtmEb

 

My mufflers are flat black too. Just to clarify however, the Y-pipe that crosses the car directly behind the rear suspension came as unfinished stainless steel on my car.

 

Here's the original thread. The paint is still a little wet in the first "after" pic. Things still look great after several months.

http://www.acura-cl.com/cgi-bin/ulti...c&f=1&t=003922

 

...The new Acura MDX is a disgrace. You see the entire exhaust AND rear suspension. Its kind of like leaving the house in your underwear!

 

heh... for some reason japanese cant pick up on what the germans have been doing for years - skirts! they dont have to be low, or stand out, but did u notice how the bimmers never have any suspension showing, because ne parts that do happen to stick out are always covered by a small skirt, even on the x5. and the same thing with mb and audi.

 

thank you guys! I did mine too and wouldn't have notice it if it weren't for u'all!

 

Thanks guys, I wouldn't have notice until this post. Just did mine yesterday and it looks great!

 

I have the Comptech mufflers. I have a different take on this.

1) High heat paint is not necessary - it doesn't get that hot back there.
2) Rustoleum aluminum paint works great and has built in primer/antioxidant
3) uSE A WIRE BRUSH FIRST TO ROUGH UP THE SURFACE FOR BETTER ADHENSION. wEAR SAFETY GOGGLES!
4) You con brush the paint on for better control and no overspray. I also did the seams on the Comptechs where they rust.