I have a 2004 TL and the metal trim on each side of the console was scratched badly from seatbelts and keys. I purchased new ones spending significant cash. I decided to have a trim shop cover them with the 3M paint protectant. The clear material adheared well but the adhesive gives a cloudy appearance under the protective film--so I am not that happy with the solution. I am sure may of you have had the same issue-what is your suggestion for a resolution? Thanks

 

i dont know what to tell you about that, but where did you order them and how much were they? i have the same problem, theyre all dinged up.

 

I say put the car in a museum and never worry about it getting that "used" look It's the price we pay to have aluminum trim.

 

The only real solution is to be more careful. Since the strips have a textured surface and are thin metal on a plastic carrier/frame it's unlikely anything clear will cover them well without looking like a slip cover. If you can remove the protectant? Hope so.

The issue's been talked about much and the conclusion is you just need to be aware the strips scratch and damage easily. You can be careful with your seat belt from now on and just remember to ask others to be careful when they buckle up.. If they can't handle you asking them to be careful then they can walk.

One other idea is that you may be able to use some kind of adhesive durable covering just in the area of the seat belt latches. If they are contoured nicely and an acceptable color I'd bet most people would ever detect they aren't normal.

 

The price of the replacement trip pieces was $180 each (ouch). I have noticed that the trim has changed in the later models to be more textured and scratch resistent but the dealer told me the attachment clips are in different places so we cannot use them on the 2004. I guess I will leave the 3m paint protectant film on even though it looks a little cloudy. That is the least of my porblems now conisdring it has been at teh dealre for two weeks for a repetitve engine dieing problem. This is the 12th time in and they have replaced throttle control and now main computer (cannot remember what it is called) and it is still dieing. The factory rep is now involved. This is my 9th Honda product and the first major issue I have ever encountered

 

Sorry to be the Grinch but holy $hit you got screwed.

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no
Check out numbers 5 and 9 - $56.50 each. Pretty easy DIY replacement as well.

Did you really mean 180 each? or the set ? Or was that after the 3M stuff and installation ?

Hopefully the ECU (that's what I think you mean) change will fix your other larger issues. Warranty I hope.

 

damn, even 54 bucks for that little fucking strip. its fucking plastic and aluminum. how expensive could it be to make... 5 bucks tops.

 

I replaced mine 2 days after I got my car, as the previous owner thought they needed to stab the center console with the seatbelt buckle 50 times a day before buckling up, it looked horrid, but now it looks brand new inside.. and I give people the evil eye when I see them yanking the seatbelt down without looking!

I paid like $58/each for mine from the dealer