I was reading through an older thread and someone mentioned that you cannot paint the front "beak". They mentioned you shouldnt on an advance model but doesn't matter on a tech model but didn't really give a reason other than it being the sensors.

Does anyone have any additional or specific info on this?

 

The reason was because of the radar. Use the wrong paint and you block the radar emissions.

 

Ok, thanks!

I guess what I'm needing to know is, where does the sensor/radar reside? Is it in that black bar below the silver bar with the Acura emblem? I'm wanting to color match the silver bar and paint all chrome black. Just needing to figure out what I can and can't paint before I start down that route.

 

I have a 2015 Advance. I removed my beak and painted it. Yes, I was very careful to not use metallic paint. It has been back together for months now and all still works well. I get compliments all the time on the painted grille.

 

Womp womp, that's not what I wanted to hear, haha. I guess the same would go for metallic vinyl?

I wonder if turning off the radar related features would allow me to paint it? I really dislike all of that stuff anyways and have already turned off all that I can.

Thanks for the info Crashmaster

 

You could always vinyl wrap it. My dealer offers it as an option and I dont thin they would do it if it caused an issue with the safety features.

 

Just so you know, after I painted my beak, I did vinyl wrap it. I did it because of the amount of labor I had removing the beak and painting it and didn't want a rock chip quickly ruining it.


Keep in mind that most vinyl wraps require that the paint have dried for at least a few days if not more before applying, so make sure you have something else to drive during this time. Keep in mind, like the paint, only use non-metallic vinyl wrap. I used 3m.


It was not really that hard to do, I wrote a DIY with lots of pictures months ago when I did it. I think it should be here or at TLXForums.com where I'm a moderator.


Good luck with it, as it really does change the style of the front end. I get compliments everywhere I go, mainly from other Acura owners who hate the silver beak.

 

The radar sensor is a perhaps 5 inch by 5 inch flat black square panel that resides behind the silver beak on the passenger side of the beak. It does not sit behind the Acura emblem. I thought about painting the Acura emblem black, but thought that would be too much black for the front. I don't want anyone confusing my TLX with a Hyundri.