A-Spec Installed. Should I Fix This Gap?!

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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:27 PM
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A-Spec Installed. Should I Fix This Gap?!

Got my A-Spec kit through the GB and am very pleased with it! Finally got around to put it up on my car. I've read threads about the gaps, so I tried to minize it as best as I can, but I still see minor (about 1 to 1.2 mm) gaps. Should I be bothered with this? Is there a WDP colored silicone or some sort I can use to fill it up? Please see the pics below and let me know! Thanks!!

Sorry about the poor quality as I don't have a good camera and the garage is too dark, and that's why there's no rear pics because they come out all stupid.















Should I be bothered by this gap (about 1 to 1.2 mm)?





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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:36 PM
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those gaps look pretty minimal to me..
worry about the bridge when you get to it
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:38 PM
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They rele don't look bad to tell you the truth, glad I dont have to worry about that, having NBP
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:39 PM
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I actually thought about using the touch up paint that came with the car. Just apply a thin layer over it and smooth it out. Is this a crazy idea?
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:39 PM
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I think you did a good job
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:41 PM
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LOL you should see my L/F gap.... I can fit about 10 dimes through at the same time lol
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:42 PM
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Haha. Extra coin holder for you. So what do you guys think of my idea? Get some white silicon, mix it with the touch up paint, and then apply a really really thin layer to fill the gap. That way, you get the WDP color with the filling.
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:44 PM
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Most likely....its not going to comeout as smooth as you think and it'll look 10 times worse. But then again, I suck at these kinda things. I say it looks great as is
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:44 PM
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BTW lookin good brotha!
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:47 PM
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looks great

although I love how you've blocked out your license plate in one picture, yet its visible in the rest! :P
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 05:52 PM
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Thanks!

Yeah I blocked out one but it didn't look good on other pics, so gave up blocking and didn't bother fixing that one.

Two things I would like to suggest to Acura are:

1. Make the addon just a little bit shorter in width so the addon will snap on tightly with a little force and that should eliminate gaps.

2. Make the black trim run all the way across so as to give it a more GT look.
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by HiHenry.com
I actually thought about using the touch up paint that came with the car. Just apply a thin layer over it and smooth it out. Is this a crazy idea?
...more than crazy. That would be (hmm, what's the word)...
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 07:20 PM
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suicidal might be the word you are looking for
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 07:43 PM
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I wouldn't even bother with the gap because the kit looks good anyway.
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 08:55 PM
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The drawback with this kit (compared to kits like RJ's) is that it looks clearly like an add on. That being said I have seen worse gaps than you have there. You are noticing the gaps mainly because of the WDP. You did a good job , don't worry about it too much. Maybe you should leave well enough alone?

There was a thread somewhere here of someone who wanted to completely smooth out the gap (bondo) and make the kit fit flush. Sounds good in theory but to get it perfect you'd have to spend a lot of money. If you wanted to do it yourself it would take a lot of time and effort. The main problem with that idea is the possibility of cracking etc. down the road.

So you're still tempted to try to do something? I'd say why not. Your idea sounds like it may have a chance. You may come up with another brilliant idea. If you want to try the silicone route DON'T buy the white one. It definitely will not match your WDP. You can attempt to mix some WDP touch paint with some clear silicone and just test it out. How well will the 2 mix? That's the question. And once it is on the car will it fill the gap just right? If it dosen't come out right, you can wipe it away quickly with no harm done. The problem here is trying to get it done perfectly. Let us know how it turns out, good luck!
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 09:34 PM
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Thanks for the advice. I think i will leave it alone for now as it's not really major gaps and it doesn't really take away the look. Perhaps when I get my hands on two pieces of WDP plastics (even just tiny pieces), then i'll try my idea. For now, it looks good the way it is.
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by bforbrian
those gaps look pretty minimal to me..
worry about the bridge when you get to it
I used an adhesive caulking (white) to fill the gap and so far it's holding up fine and you really can't tell that you caulked the gaps. I was concerned that perhaps the tape might lose its holding strength when the water gets in.
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Old Nov 24, 2007 | 10:47 PM
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Hi sushi96720, can you post some closeup photos of it? I wan to see!
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 12:58 AM
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Do not attempt to fill the gaps, this will be a terrible mess. the different pieces need to flex and move independently, anything bridging them will eventually crack
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 02:08 AM
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Just leave it alone. Get used to it...mine are the same.
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 02:54 AM
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yeah mines like that.. you can simply fix it by just putting 3m double sided tape inbetween
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 02:57 AM
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why does that A spec kit have the freakin gap. shouldn't acura some how fix this problem
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 09:57 AM
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I think I would be more bothered by the 3 different colors of paint up front (spoiler, Bumper cover, and fender appear to be all different in the pics). Could just be the pics though.
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 10:13 AM
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^ we can all thank acura for those wonderful color matches
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted by HiHenry.com
Hi sushi96720, can you post some closeup photos of it? I wan to see!
This is the shot of one side and the other is the same. So far no cracks. I think the caulking flexes as well.[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 03:48 PM
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Pretty good Sushi. I bet if you mixed some WDP with clear it would look even better though. Henry it can be done. I wouldn't worry about flex here with the silicone having plenty of elasticity.
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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white silicone outdoor sealer -- mask off the painted areas, then inject the silicone sealant (door/window sealer) into the gaps.

Just remember, over time, these silicone "fillings" will get dirty and you'll start to see them go from white to gray .. but the gray will not look bad .. the gaps look bad, period.
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by rockyfeller
Pretty good Sushi. I bet if you mixed some WDP with clear it would look even better though. Henry it can be done. I wouldn't worry about flex here with the silicone having plenty of elasticity.
I think the main thing is not to build up the caulking but apply enough to fill the gap. Although it's just plain white in color, you won't notice the difference between white and WDP.

The caulking I used is a DAP Kitchen & Bath Adhesive Caulk. I don't think this has silicone inside. It is also paintable so if the gap is big then you may want to use the touch up paint.

Just to be on the safe side, when I wash the car, I gently clean that area with an old tooth brush.
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 01:20 AM
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Thanks Sushi96720 for the explaination. I do want to try it now, but stupid Vancouver is raining all the time, and I need my car. I will keep your advice and hopefully to report some good news on my silicon WDP mix
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 01:21 AM
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...what gaps? you should see MY install...lol
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 09:39 AM
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looking for a specific product to tidy up some of my gaps. Anyone have a suggestion on something I can use to tight up the gaps? more 3m tape wont fit as the gaps are on the smaller side and I dont want to take the lip off and then reinstall.

thanks in advance.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 09:42 AM
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Dude that is fine, actually some of the smallest gaps I've seen.... don't worry about it. I myself need to fix one though


Originally Posted by 6spdtl-s
looking for a specific product to tidy up some of my gaps. Anyone have a suggestion on something I can use to tight up the gaps? more 3m tape wont fit as the gaps are on the smaller side and I dont want to take the lip off and then reinstall.

thanks in advance.
calk? super glue? taht is, if you plan on keeping the aspec kit on all the time...
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 09:52 AM
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I hate when an old thread gets revived and I forget to check the post date..

I think the only real solution is a one piece. You could try to use a plastic bonder like an epoxy glue. I had some success gluing a turn signal / headlight support assembly.. but you have to clamp it for 24 hrs. It would be pretty difficult.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 09:58 AM
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OP Id leave it.... honda does have that rubber edge guard thats on the front of the kit....but i dont know how to get it or if they have it after market....on the rear aspec kit for the type s it goes around the whole entire edge of the kit....ive been looking for it because i know a few people who want to run it along the whole kit, front and rear.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 11:12 AM
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what if the dealer installed themselves? will those gaps show up still? honestly from my point of view, it looks good!
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 11:33 AM
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it depends on whos installing it at the dealer...its not easy if u do it alone or the double sided tape is no good and it needs replacing.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 12:27 PM
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^ i see, thanks though
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 01:37 PM
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looks fine if u ask me....there are other members that had the same thing but i guess everyone just leaves it as is.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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yea most people leave it a few members have added white silicon and smoothed it out....but i wouldnt do that because u never know if u have to take it off.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 03:47 PM
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Taking another look at the lines.. it actually looks okay IMO. If you look at the lines from the side skirts it matches by being offset. I think the gap fits in nice with those body lines. I know we're talking about the little gap between the bumper and lip but if you filled it in I don't think it would match as well. idk.. just a thought.

Is it just me or does it seem like the lip color on the OP's car is a bit off?

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