HOW TO: Remove hood grill trim (PICS)
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
HOW TO: Remove hood grill trim (PICS)
So I was sitting around and I was very bored on such a nice day so i decided to try and take off the hood trim and take some pics to make another how-to. It snow balled and I ended up painting it flat black and taking off the rear A emblem and painting that black to..... pics of that in another thread. ANYWAY...
First up, put the hood and look right under the metal strip. You will see 4 big black plasic clips like this...
![Name: IMAG0103.jpg
Views: 3752
Size: 31.9 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53933d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0103.jpg)
Stick a wide flat head screw driver under there and pop it out, dont be afraid to break it, I highly suggest that you but something over the engine because the first one I popped out fell into the engine compartment and I had a hell of a time getting it out.
Next up are 4 tiny bolts in the holes you just opened up. They are 8mm bolts, carefully take them out, I losend them most of the way and then finished them with needle nose pliers so that they didnt fall into the openings in the hood.
Not the best pic cause of the angle but you can kinda see it...
![Name: IMAG0104.jpg
Views: 3559
Size: 15.8 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53934d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0104.jpg)
Now once u take all 4 off the peice is only held in by a clip, I tried to pop the clip through the little hole next to the hood latch clip but I ended up use grabbing both ends of the trim and pulling it out, didnt do any damage so just go for it.
![Name: IMAG0106.jpg
Views: 3594
Size: 34.0 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53935d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0106.jpg)
There it is after I took it off...
![Name: IMAG0107.jpg
Views: 3746
Size: 23.7 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53936d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0107.jpg)
The hood without the trim... (I cleaned all the dirt and dust outta there and applied some wax)
![Name: IMAG0112.jpg
Views: 3667
Size: 27.8 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53937d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0112.jpg)
The finished product! Painted with Krylon flat black spray paint, 5 coats. I plan on blacking out the rest of the grill tomorrow. Hope this helps someone!
First up, put the hood and look right under the metal strip. You will see 4 big black plasic clips like this...
![Name: IMAG0103.jpg
Views: 3752
Size: 31.9 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53933d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0103.jpg)
Stick a wide flat head screw driver under there and pop it out, dont be afraid to break it, I highly suggest that you but something over the engine because the first one I popped out fell into the engine compartment and I had a hell of a time getting it out.
Next up are 4 tiny bolts in the holes you just opened up. They are 8mm bolts, carefully take them out, I losend them most of the way and then finished them with needle nose pliers so that they didnt fall into the openings in the hood.
Not the best pic cause of the angle but you can kinda see it...
![Name: IMAG0104.jpg
Views: 3559
Size: 15.8 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53934d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0104.jpg)
Now once u take all 4 off the peice is only held in by a clip, I tried to pop the clip through the little hole next to the hood latch clip but I ended up use grabbing both ends of the trim and pulling it out, didnt do any damage so just go for it.
![Name: IMAG0106.jpg
Views: 3594
Size: 34.0 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53935d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0106.jpg)
There it is after I took it off...
![Name: IMAG0107.jpg
Views: 3746
Size: 23.7 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53936d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0107.jpg)
The hood without the trim... (I cleaned all the dirt and dust outta there and applied some wax)
![Name: IMAG0112.jpg
Views: 3667
Size: 27.8 KB](https://acurazine.com/forums/attachments/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/53937d1501297493-how-remove-hood-grill-trim-pics-imag0112.jpg)
The finished product! Painted with Krylon flat black spray paint, 5 coats. I plan on blacking out the rest of the grill tomorrow. Hope this helps someone!
The following 2 users liked this post by Crestwood1001:
farazfaazii (05-02-2013),
nchein (08-12-2012)
#5
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
Cool DIY, my hood trim is popping off =(
#9
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
![Ninja](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ninja.gif)
![](http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1083/kbp.png)
#13
I just ordered some vinyl to do the grill for the wife's TSX grill and hood trim. Thinking about doing the same with my TL-S but do we actually have to drop the whole bumper to take out the grill? Thanks for this DIY!~
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#14
yes, it would be very difficult to remove the screws and especially the chrome lip that runs around the entire front grill (on the TL). I was a little worried at first but the bumper removal was very simple.
#16
how did you paint your grill? My factory gray one is peeling from a rock chip so i don't think i can paint over it. it seems to be wrapped. should i sand everything down and then spray it?
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
its not wrapped its paint, I used a power sander and took all the paint off and then sprayed it, but that started chipping real quick. I took it off and wrapped it in 3m Di-Noc carbon fiber. Dont paint, wrap.
#26
without proper adhesion promoters (even if you sanded the hood piece down and primed it - it still isn't enough), one single rock chip will make your newly painted grille look like garbage. There just isn't enough adhesion promoters to keep the paint applied to the surface one hit by even a pebble.
#31
Mistuh DRiiVA
#35
I removed my hood trim today (thanks to this thread :-)) and noticed that the seal / weather stripping (not sure what to call it) needs replacing because it looks dried out and the adhesive isn't sticking anymore. I'm guessing this seal keeps the water out between the hood trim and the hood.
Did anybody have to replace this and what did you replace it with?
Thanks
Did anybody have to replace this and what did you replace it with?
Thanks
#38
Drifting
Needs some pics of an AM TL with blacked out grill. Anyone??