Blackout! Turning an Advanced into an A-Spec
 

Not sure if this is the right place, but....I saw DIY and figured give it a shot.

Has anyone found any answers yet into how we might turn an Advanced into a Blacked out, A-Spec looking vehicle? That one is so sharp looking and I know many are frustrated that its a separate trim vs an exterior option.

I would be willing to spend a little money to replace some of the key external chrome features with A-Spec-like accessories if thats doable, and I am curious if anyone has discovered anything interesting on this front?

well, you can buy the official parts from acura....www.acuraoemparts.com

or you can paint or wrap the trim to any color of your liking.

I'm gonna wrap mine and see how it goes...If successful, I will post some pics!

Please do!

How about a list with part numbers of what is needed if your going to go that route.....and you might as well make a DIY video when installing.

Sadly, that site doesn't list the option for 2019 parts just yet.

I believe I found them however not sure how hard it is to replace:

Grill and surround:

71122-TJB-A50

71121-TJB-A50

Bumper trim:

71104-TJB-A50

71109-TJB-A50

I just want to black out the front end and the parts aren't bad however dealer wants about $500 in install.

I will ask my dealer if these parts are the correct parts. I would love the A-SPEC look on an advance trim.
Any idea what the pedal part numbers are?

I completely agree. Keep me posted

I did ask a guy who works at a body shop I know and he said taking the chrome off the sides is very easy to do. They just pop in so that seems to be news. Getting the parts is the difficult issue currently.

I believe the parts I listed are easy enough. I am just worried about install. I am just looking to blackout the front end.....the doors will be too much of a pain.

Any news on how easy it would be to change the front grille and two front chrome pieces?

it's a car. most car's bumpers and grille's attach the same way.
for me; I can uninstall a bumper and grille in 30 minutes or less. just a matter of finding the clips and undoing the clips.

I cant get a straight answer on the parts yet. Dealer parts guy is saying Acura has not released the information just yet. I am not sure if that is true but surely hasn't showed up online yet.

Have you tried this? This is what my dealer provided me:

Grill and surround:

71122-TJB-A50

71121-TJB-A50

Bumper trim:

71104-TJB-A50

71109-TJB-A50

Did he quote any pricing for the items?

As any FYI, I bought and Advanced and am in the process of blacking it out.

I was able to get the 19" Glint Black Wheels for $1200 installed (they kept the Advanced rims as part of the deal).

A local detailed quoted me $500-600 to black out the chrome pieces on the car.

Will he wrap them to black them out?

Im not sure - I believe he was recommending wrap but I need to go sit with him in person to better understand the alternatives.
Is one method meaningfully better than another?

I honestly am not sure. I wanted to understand what process will work to achieve the look if I didn't buy new parts.

I had to get new exhaust tips after my accident.
For the Base/Tech/Advance, they were $77.04 for the pair.
I'm assuming the A-Spec tips are more expensive.

I'm guessing Plasti dip. I plan on blacking mine out as well next year! Please do share pics.

In terms of your question, a vinyl wrap would probably be the best option from an aesthetic and long term outlook point of view. The most cost effective way to "chrome delete" however is Plasti dip. It looks good if done right, but if done wrong it could look terrible (since its sprayed on like spray paint).

i have never seen a plastdip in person that I liked. This is why I am interested in replacement parts or wrapping the parts. I have been so busy lately I just have not had the time to follow up on asking about wrapping the items locally.

I am going to discuss with a guy here locally about vinyl wrapping my chrome pieces. I would only then need to purchase the rear exhaust tips and maybe the valence also to fit the exhaust tips. If I blacken the vehicle, then I will definitely change the rims and tires to something that will match and look better.

I spoke to the guy about wrapping the chrome and he is sure he can do it but needs to determine if he can find a wrap close enough to make it look near manufacturer perfect. He did not want to make it look like an after thought so he is getting some new samples and asked me to come back on Saturday to check again. He will want $550 to complete the task if we can get the correct look.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...7100a2c179.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...afacc9acc1.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...fef4724d3b.jpg

Vinyl wrapped

BAM!! You look good. Hopefully mine will get wrapped next week.

Did you have to remove the side view mirrors?
I'm going to do this project on my MDX.

Don't know.
i didn't do it myself.
I know they removed the trim pieces to wrap them but don't know about the mirrors.

Looks amazing!

I got a PM from a user named SugarChev about my car.
SugarChev - I cant respond because your inbox is full.
For others who might want to know - it cost me ~$600 to get the wrap done and an additional ~$100 to get the needed "black logos" from Acura to replace those on the car.

Wow this looks amazing! I also have a quote for about $500. Did they have to pull the pieces off to do this? I am concerned with it being a new car for them to remove pieces and having them not fit properly.

And does rear window wrap match with the OEM blackout above the windows well? Or can you tell a difference?

They did take the pieces off - they insisted that was the best way to do it. They didnt have any problems.

I think the logos and trim match well but I havent looked super closely. To my eye it all looks very natural.

I have used plastidip on Accord and works great. Its been few years and still going strong. I would try it out first before thinking about replacing parts.

Anyone looked into swapping out the wood interior piece for the ones in the advance?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...6a70ae9961.jpg
Wrapped the side pieces finally! Gonna do the front when I have time!