I've never been down with those of you who think the beak of the new TL is horrible. In fact, I like everything about the TL's styling - inside and out. Maybe I am just a Honda fanboy but I think the car looks really nice in person.

One concern I do have though is about the longterm durability of that chrome front end. My 2004 TSX has a much more subtle front end. I was claying the car and gettting it ready to sell over the weekend. As I went over the grill, I could not help but notice all the little scratches and pock marks from road debris hitting the car at highway speeds. That happens to all cars, but the problem is that it really shows on chrome front ends. The shinny bits begin to look terrible - just filled with scratches and hazing.

My guess it that the front end on the new TL is going to look pretty horrible in a few years. It is such a big target that it is going to such up a lot of micro-damage as the miles add up.

 

that seems to be a valid concern, for a change...I guess we'll have to see how these "shields" hold up over time - at least it's not paint that can get chipped...

 

clearbra?

 

Good point, you shoudl read the G35 forums, those guys are hating the way the 07/08 G35 grills pit and chip.

 

Eh, not a concern for me. I've always put a clear bra kit on my car. It's a small investment, but one that pays everyday.

 

Great idea. Is the clear bra something that you can have installed by Acura Dealers? If not, where can you get it installed?

 

You can get clear bras installed from your dealer, but they do tend to charge you more. You can also buy them yourself and install it.....but it can be somewhat challenging if you've never done it. Some car customizing shops also offer them for somewhat less than dealers. Whoever you go with, make sure they have a lot of experience putting them on, because if it's not done right, it can look very bad.

 

I hope at least they did some "sand blast" tests on the new front of the TL. You don't want your "new" look to be all mangled in a few months.

 

I intend to put a clear bra on my new TL. I was quoted $600 for a full kit including hood and full bumber/mirror coverage. I have never had one installed before, but I have a couple of friends with Porsche and Ferrari who have always installed them and swear by them.

The same shop who has provided my tint also offers the 3M clear bra, and I intend on using them for both clear bra and tint this time... my Acura dealer does not offer this service.

 

Can you clearbra a grill?

 

$600 sounds a little too high. I got a quote of $375 from an independent installer for the ProTech clearbra (similar to 3M).

 

I don't believe so.

 

As long as there are sufficient flat surface for the material to adhere to, like the massive beveled grill and surround on the 4G TL. You wouldn't have been able to do it quite as effectively on the previous gen TLs.

 

Prices tend to vary depending on the level of coverages. And you'd have to consider thickness of material and quality. For 600 bucks, I'd expect applique for the (front of) hood, front lights, bumper, side mirrors. And maybe the front grill piece too...

 

clear bra kits do not cover any grilles.
you'd have to custom cover it.

and yes, us 2008 G35 owners hate the grille chips.

 

I've never clearbra'ed any of my vehicles. I like to detail my car, and I want access to the actual paint. I've also wondered about the idea that the clearbra might pick up scratches itself over time (and thus begin to haze a bit). But, that is pure conjecture and I've never had any experience with this project.

In any case, I just got back from the Acura dealer and took a long hard look at the beak. If you can clearbra any of that grill, I'll be surprised.

 

3M Clear Bra does have a clear coat over it, which mean you can wax and polish it just like paint.

 

My neighbor just got a 4G and his kid calls the car... "Cyclops".

 

It is not the same as paint though. You can't buff it, polish it, and it never looks as good.

 

To me, the one really bad thing about clear bras is that after about a year, all the road debris hitting the front end will cause lots of tiny "pimples" and "scars" to form on the plastic (esp. the front bumper).....making it look almost as bad as if there was no bra at all.....then you will have to go out and get another bra....$$$......(also, if the installer doesn't do a good job sealing all the edges, after a while, you'll get some peeling and yellowing of the bra).

 

I've never had a problem with what you're talking about. But then I've always had dark/black colored vehicles. Imagine this, couple hundred bucks for a new bra section vs. double that for a quality repaint of a hood. Plus always get a guarantee with the installation.

 

Well, if you had to deal with Chicago streets and Chicago winters year-after-year, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The bra may protect the paint, but the bra itself is still susceptible to damage. (And a good size pebble or small rock can still put a small dent in the metal under the bra at highway speeds).

 

Any scratch that you can't feel with your fingernail can be buffed out with a PC. The gril on my TSX has lots of nicks and scratches (can't buff plastic!) but the metal hood is smooth as a baby's bottom.

 

My quote for $600 includes everything previously mentioned but the lights. I am going to try and negotiate with them since I intend on getting my tint there as well.