skads_187

I bought my TL used 5 months ago, basically, once winter passed with the snow, i went to wash the car and noticed 8 tiny rust spots at the front of the hood (all probably due to rock chips). but when I bought the car i did notice a few spots with touch up paint on it, I had analyzed it pretty well. However now, on the sides where the silver part is at the front of the hood (dont know what its called) i have rust and it looks as though its starting to bubble up a bit. I know its not cause of me, I dont do a lot of highway and im very careful. I never had this issue with my older cars, so im sure those chips were all there when i bought the car

If i go back to the dealer, do you think there is anything they will do to help me with this? or will they tell me "too bad"

Also, does the tl have some kind of factory rust proofing installed under the car?

I have 2004. Its pretty sad now because if this gets worse, ill either need to get that part of the hood sanded and painted, and it might contrast. Or paint the whole hood, which will cost me a lot of $$$.

01tl4tl

take it to a body and paint shop
Ask them if its from rock chips and exposed metal
You have to use the touch up paint!!

If they say its not normal wear- call acura 1-800-382-2238x5

skads_187

i dont mind using the touch up paint at all, its just that in a year or two it looks like its gonna get pretty bad.
thanks for the # is that head office (for north america)?

01tl4tl

usa customer care- they send out the recall notices from there

and can assign a case manager to problems if needed
they are not real acura reps- just phone people who quote from a book of NO
a real acura manager will call you back on an odd case like this

01tl4tl

3m and others make a `clear bra` 3-6 mm thick plastic film you apply like window tint to the front end- mirrors and other spots to protect from further damage by flying objects

see the bay for companies with diy kits
Pro job done locally can run 300-700
DIY 50 bucks

skads_187

Can I use this # if Im from Canada?

skads_187

heres some pics, in total there is 8 tiny rust spots, the ones on the sides are the worst ones.


http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr276/skads_187/

theres 4 pics

Im gonna send an email to the manager at the Acura dealer where I bought it and take it from there.

skads_187

just an update, the manager still hasn't replied to my email. sent another email.

And when I went to the Acura dealer to pick up some touch up paint, guess what I saw. Another White TL like mine had almost the same rust spots in front of the hood like mine. Does anyone else have the same problem? I guess also for those that have a lot of snow and salt on the roads during winter?

Jesstzn

Look for evidence ( overspray etc ) that the hood was a repaint.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

dont expect too much from the dealer...you bought a used car, so buyer beware....

skads_187

Yeah I know, my only argument is basically that the rust was there from before and that it was covered up with touch up paint when I bought it. I gotta try, cuz i really dont want to spend the money to get it sanded and painted, I already had to pay to sand and paint the front and back bumper which they made me pay for.

djwoody

Where in Canada are you and which dealer did you buy from?
I have an 04 white as well and so far no rust. Purchased it used in July last year from Acura of North Toronto.

Did you get the 160,000 km comprehensive warranty with yours?

skads_187

Im in mtl, bought it from Acura Metropolitain. I dont think they all have rust, but i find it weird that this other TL that I saw at acura Laval dealer had almost the same spots as mine. very weird.
I got the 160,000km, I actually added the bumper to bumper with it and reduced it to 130,000km, since the car had low mileage and i dont add a lot myself.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

For the rust to start behind molding, looks as if it were bare metal and not prepped properly, sorry, but not an Acura problem.

1075

I would not make that assumption. I looked at your pics and have checked out another Silver TL that I saw in a parking lot, it had small rust spots in the same area as yours. I will keep looking at other cars, but it looks like rust that is forming behind the top grille trim just like yours.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

It's not an assumption, it's a fact, that there is bare metal, no paint, as rust can't begin on a painted surface.

Rust or Corrosion Warranty: This warranty covers the vehicle's sheet metal, and protects you from rust and corrosion that are severe enough to cause a hole - surface rust is not covered. However, if you keep your car washed and waxed rust shouldn't be a problem.

I'll repeat, not an Acura problem.

skads_187

I'm going to continue looking at different TL's as well. But I mean, if this is a common issue, like what the 2004-05 Mazda 3's have, this might be an issue.

So now where do I go from here? Should I use vim to get rid of the rust color around the rust then touch up paint?
If I keep using touch up paint, how long will it hold the rust from getting worse?

1075

You purchased the car 5 months ago, I would be back at the dealership raising the concern.

The car I looked at was rusted starting underneath the top part of plastic grille trim, not from stone chips. My theory is that the plastic trim around the grille expands and contracts differently than the surrounding metal, especially at the ends where the car I looked at was rusting. This eventually wears a bare spot in the paint wherever the plastic actually touches the metal. Not your fault.

Covering this up with touch up paint will not solve the problem.

skads_187

I've sent 2 emails to the used car salesman/manager. He still hasnt replied. Should I call the 800 #?

djwoody

I would go into the dealership and show them the problem.

I just looked at my car after giving it a good wash yesterday and I see that a small stone chip on the hood near the grill trim (that must have occurred over the winter) has got a tiny bit of rust starting to form. I believe that if I carefully sand it down to bare metal and use touch-up I should be able to stop the rust from spreading. I have a small pen-like device (with a fibreglass tip) for spot sanding that will do the job well!

If the dealer is not prepared to help you out, I'd suggest doing the same - try to remove the rust (make sure it's totally gone) and touch up before is starts spreading.

Good Luck

skads_187

would you happen to have a link of what that device looks like, sounds interesting. i wouldn't sand it using sand paper, i would make the car look terrible after.

djwoody

The device is called Prep Pen. Do a google search and you will find it. I saw someone on eBay selling them for around $10.

djwoody

Here's a good link that shows a photo of the item:

http://www.agriemach.com/popup_image...0nr42sar9m1n05

skads_187

wow nice, so its really precise , even for tiny spots right?

theslup

I have the exact couple spots on my hood. Was going to put touch up on them but decided to stimulate the economy with some government funds. Taking it to a body shop in 2 weeks to make it all nice and smooth.

skads_187

let me know how much it costs you. Are you going to do just the front area, or the whole hood? let me know how much it costs.

Is it easy to take out the plastic grill trim and place it back?

6spdtl-s

iTrader: (1)

+1

skads_187

sorry to revive this, wanted to know how much this pen usually goes for in the US. on Ebay, its costs 7$, but shipping is like another 23$ US (to Canada). anyone know of any that I can find in Canada, or how much its really worth? thx

subbuzz

I had a couple little rust spot's on my 07, I used professional compound and some elbow grease and she's back up to par......