Well, I've wanted to get this done for about a year now, but just hadn't pulled the trigger. Anyway, finally painted my grille last night. I had a little mishap when pulling the tape off and it pulled some paint with it, in 2 separate spots, so I have another can on order, it'll be an easy fix. Overall, VERY happy with it, huge difference.

 

nice! plan on doing this to your fog covers as well?

I think to better ensure your paint doesn't rip along with the tape, you should use a knife or something and guide the tape while ripping it off

 

Thanks, yeah, I think I will do the fogs as well, or at least I'm thinking about it.

And yes, cutting along the tape would've been smart, unfortunately I got in a hurry.

 

Hey bud,

Can you tell me how to remove that part you did for painting. I have an 09, but i assume the process is the same. I see your bumper is still on which means u didnt have to take it off.

 

How did you get that beak thing off? I tried but didn't want to break shit so i stopped.

Also that's not plastdip is it? It looks really glossy. Looks really nice.

 

Sure, there is a plastic cover that goes over the grille and radiator, it's held on by about 8 plastic tabs. You pop those out and then you can get to the back side of the grille. There you'll see 4 small screws and the plastic/chrome tabs holding that piece in place. First pull the screws, then work your way across, releasing each tab. You'll also need to remove the back tabs holding the Acura A. It's not bad to do, but took me some time.

 

See my last post, it wasn't too bad, just took some patience.

No, it's not plasti-dip, it's color matched paint. I bought it on Amazon and it matches perfect and they send you clear coat as well.

Thanks, I like the look a lot, makes a big difference.

 

oh wow. link to the paint? i want to do the same.
What prep did you do, any sanding?

also how does the A emblem come off? It looked to me like it's riveted in place

 

Takes a little while to get it (about a week) because each can is mixed when the order is placed, they even have a date stamp on it.

Anyway, it worked great for me.

 

I removed my A when I wrapped my grille. I just broke off those rivets and then epoxyed it back in place.

 

Yep, crossed my mind as well.

 

It's hard to tell but how does your clear coat look? When I had mine clear coated it was veryyy orange peely, even after sanding/multiple coats. I hated the way it looked up close. How did yours turn out and can you post a closer picture and possibly in the sunlight?

 

It's not perfect as far as that goes, but I didn't try too hard either, I did zero wet sanding, just painted and cleared (with 2 kids and the wife gone, my time was limited). I'll try to get a better pic, didn't realize how sh*tty those pics were until they uploaded, sorry 'bout that.

It's pretty smooth overall though, not a lot of orange peel. When I did the grill surround on my S60R, I sanded the sh*t out of it and honestly I think this one turned out better than the R.

I did more of a matte finish on this one too. Personally I like the finish on the TSX better.

 

Looks great. Did you use adhesion promoter? If not it will peel of with time.

 

No, I didn't, like I said it was a quick job. If it peels I'll probably do the full sand, prime, paint job.

 

I like, I like.

 

Thanks!

 

Nice work, I never knew that middle piece could pop out like that

 

Yep, just take your time.

 

I got mine out now, thanks

 

Good deal! Glad I could be of service, my work is done here!

 

Came out good, thanks for the link

 

Holy moly that's some pricey paint. If you can dig up defonskylude or somethings thread where he painted his own lip kit, it was only about 20 bucks a can after shipping. And he recommended 3k clear paint which runs for about the same price on eBay. That's the route I took when I first painted my grille. But I have Savclaude to help me w/ my poor paint skills <3

 

Also, I can tell the grille has a bunch of orange peel (happy sanding). What prep work did you go through before you painted?

 

Looks good

 

Haha I have yet to have him paint something for me but he does seem skilled after seeing that CL job

 

We all know Savclaude is a good painter.. he is a professional lol

Some people would rather save the money and DIY to get something that looks good, but isn't quite perfect.

To me it looks good for rattle can! No one will notice the orange peel unless they get within 2ft.

@Bao it sounds like you had a "rough" time sanding on your last project. Like the same disdain I have towards people who still have their Type S replica lip lol

 

You can sand & prime all day long. Unless you use a Plastic Adhesion Promoter the paint will flake off. Those spray can paints comes off even faster.



http://www.shop3m.com/3m-automix-pol...oz-net-wt.html


OR


http://www.uschem.com/index.cfm?page...tDetail&id=134

 

Well, I wasn't completely happy with everything plus a big rock nailed it on the interstate about a week after it was done and chipped it.

Soooo, I'm re-doing the whole thing. I got the paint off of the center piece last night and sanded the chrome stuff down as well. I went ahead and got some of that adhesion promoter too. I'll update with pics as I move along.

Side note, using Airplane Remover works awesome to get the paint off!! However, it does NOT feel good on your leg!!

Anyway, I'll hopefully get it mostly done tonight and I'll try to snap some pics.

 

hope you washed it off quickly from your skin.

aircraft stripper aint something to play around with.

 

Oh, I did! I was being super careful when applying it and everything, but after I thought I had it all wiped off (with the paint), I was sanding the grill and there must have been some still on one end and it was pressed against my leg. It started to burn like hell, so I went in and washed it off right away and it was done. But, yes, it's wicked stuff man, but was perfect to get the paint off the grille.

Next step is using it on the outer surround, next to the bumper. LOTS of careful prep/protection work will go into that piece!

 

I used the aircraft paint stripper for my valve covers last weekend.
it burned through my latex gloves!
ripped them motherfuckers off in a hurry!!

when the can gives dire warnings, it would behoove someone to listen!! lol

 

HA! Yeah, it's pretty mean stuff, but did the trick with little effort (and a few burned leg hairs)!

 

So women can use this as an alternative to shaving?

 

Well, the paint came off great, the sanding went great and the paint went on fine. However, the clear sucked, it never laid down flat and it turned out blotchy. I think the humidity was wrecking it. I was in the garage and had the A/C cranked, but I just don't think it ever cured correctly. So, I have some sanding/polishing to do, but I can tell the sanding and the adhesion promoter worked wonders, so hopefully it won't peel.

Paint coming off


Sanded


Going on




Finish product, I couldn't get one straight on, I was pulled in the garage too far, but you can see the texture kind of blows. I should be able to do some wet sanding, then polish it with my DA and get it to be okay. It's one of those deals that will look fine from 3 feet and beyond, just not right up close. I'm okay with it, or I will be.