I've read in some previous posts that they scratch the paint. If I plan to put them on (TL-s) and leave them on year round, should I be concerned about the areas rusting? I hope to keep the car a really long time!

 

i think it ruins the look of the car

 

If you don't plan to get a body kit at some point, they're ok. It's that a lot of people have decided to get the body kit after having the muds on and noticed that they scratched the paint.

I would, before putting on the mud guards, do a few things.

1) Wax the area where the guards will be meet the paint. I'd put on a lot of coats of a good wax.

2) Sand the area on the mud guard where it will come in contact with the paint. Use something like 300 or 400 grit paper, just enought to smooth out all the rough edges. You might be able to keep it from damaging the paint.

Hope this helps.

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1999 Satin Silver Metallic 3.2 TL w/o Navigation

• 18x8 Racing Hart C2s with 225/40ZR18 Dunlop SP Sport 9000
• Comptech Springs, Sways, Exhaust, and Headers
• Red AEM CAI w/bypass valve
• A'PEXi Digital VTEC AFC
• Denso Iridium Plugs
• Mugen Grill
• Inspire Tail Lights
• Factory Underbody Kit and Spoiler
• Clifford Intelliguard 9000 Alarm w/SmartWindows II
• Alpine 6 disk CD Changer
• BEL 945i Cordless Radar Detector
• Burlwood Shift Knob & Trunk Tray
• 20% tint

 

Alot of non-flap owners will say they don't like the looks of them, but after driving for a couple of months without the flaps I got tired of all the dirt and tar flying up off the road onto my white paint. The flaps were the first accessory I purchased and I couldn't be happier. They've been on for about 18 months and haven't been removed them so I couldn't say for sure about scratching or rusting. They mount with the stock screws and fit snug so I don't think there is much that gets between the flap and the fender. If they salt the roads in your area you might want to remove them occasionally just to clean and wax under them.

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I removed my mudflaps after they were on for about 9 months, and it wore through the paint at 3 of the 4 wheels. I wasn't too happy about it, so they will NOT go back on the car, and besides I didn't like the way they looked.


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2000 White Diamond Pearl

• Navigation
• Factory Spoiler
• Burlwood Shifter
• Gold Kit
• Viper 550ESP Remote Start
• K40 Undetectable Radar
• PIAA Plasma Hi-Beams

 

I have them, like the way they look and will not be removing them. I'm sure the paint is ruined underneath them and I don't really want to see it.

 

I just don't like them!

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Mugen exhaust
comptech drop-in

 

I think that the mud guards on a black car look good. If you plan to get a body kit or install springs; don't do it until.

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2000TL, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Comptech springs and sways, 35% tint, rear spoiler, Kicker Amp/SUB added to Bose system, Optional Factory Chrome Multi Spoke 16" Wheels

 

I feel they are necessary where I live. Too much construction and road debris. If you live in an area with lots of gravel, mud, new tar, etc. they are a good investment.

My '72 Suburban (my baby) doesn't have any flaps and the rear quarters are all chingered(?) up.

 

I just took off my mud flaps and it did scratch the paint. The rear bumper isnt bad but the right front is noticeable. I want to put the factory kit on and thats why i took them off.

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Tom

2001 Nighthawk Black Pearl TL

Comptech springs,Comptech drop in filter (on order),Inspire tailights,Burlwood shift knob,Razo carbon fiber pedals,Inspire fog light switch (no fogs yet),BEL 870 radar detector

 

I have them on a DEP and I think they look good on that color and they do what they are supposed to do. The car stays clean down there and I like having them better than when I did not have them for that reason. They were a little tough to put on the rear wheels. You need an offset screw driver or something really short. The front were easy.

 

Yeah, the rear was a real pain, even with the right tools. There are indentations where the screws are supposed to go in, but since the holes were not punctured, you have to sort-of muscle in the screw. And you don't have the luxury of turning your wheels to the extreme left/right as with the front tires to create more elbow room.

DA

 

I had them almost 10 months.I love the way it's look..

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2000 3.2TL Firepepper red w/o nav
stock spoiler
Comptech springs
Custom front Grill
Bosch 4+ platinum spark plug
25% Tint/Mud guards/
acura-tl.com sticker at front windshield

 

It's all personal preference, but I think the guards certainly serve their function of keeping dirt, mud and road tar from the rear bumpers and the bottoms of the front doors. I put them on about 2 weeks ago, and even after driving through the rain, the car looks clean down there.

NSXNEXT makes a good recommendation about waxing the area down before putting on the guards, and if you ever plan to do a body kit, word is to avoid the guards as your paint will suffer to some extent. If you are doing the install yourself, you will need offset screwdrivers before installing, unless you plan to remove your tires. It would have been impossible to get them on without the offset screwdriver, as there is not much room in the wheel well, even for a stubby screwdriver.

DA

 

Mud flaps are great if you're not going to add any body upgrages. PERIOD.



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2001 TL Silver w/ Black Leather
CL-S Wheels w/Pilots
Alpine CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob
25% Tint, 35% In Front