Acura TSX Exterior

tridderi

Please let me know how you like it.
I spoke the the X-Pel specialist today about durability and paint quality impact, particularly after 5 years. He said that the warranty was 5 years and most people don't keep their cars beyond that. I hope this investment lasts me a long time! My main concern is that red is a hard color to maintain. Old red cars can look great or can look quite dull. Maintenance and good waxing plays an important part. I can't help but wonder if I have this installed on the car and I am waxing regularly, will the paint below the shield look duller over time, or brighter than the rest of the car if it dulls? Has anyone heard about long term effects of having this? I'm wondering if I will in the future feel the value of not having paint chips offset by duller paint across the front of the vehicle ... hum??

robinseattle

I just purchased the TSX last night. I had the same preference for the Parchment interior and my wife talked me out of the red. I dont keep the car clean enough to enjoy black. We settled on the white with the parchment. Everyone at work think it looks sharp. A friend thought I should go back and get the tinting as that would look sharp with the white.

drewba

Please let me know how you like it.
I spoke the the X-Pel specialist today about durability and paint quality impact, particularly after 5 years. He said that the warranty was 5 years and most people don't keep their cars beyond that. I hope this investment lasts me a long time! My main concern is that red is a hard color to maintain. Old red cars can look great or can look quite dull. Maintenance and good waxing plays an important part. I can't help but wonder if I have this installed on the car and I am waxing regularly, will the paint below the shield look duller over time, or brighter than the rest of the car if it dulls? Has anyone heard about long term effects of having this? I'm wondering if I will in the future feel the value of not having paint chips offset by duller paint across the front of the vehicle ... hum??

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I got it put on yesterday. Overall, I'm just not sure about it. From some angles such as head-on, it is basically invisible from 10 feet away. Other angles, such as from the side looking across the hood, you can see it from 20-25 feet away. In addition, the film is just a little bit less glossy than the paint which exacerbates the situation. I'll give it a few weeks before I decide if I'm going to keep the pieces on the hood and fenders. I may just keep the pieces on the bumper, mirrors and door cups and deal with chips on the hood.

Supposedly the film allows UV rays to pass through it, so the paint color should remain relatively consistent underneath the film. According to Stongard, as long as you keep the exposed paint washed and waxed, there isn't a visible line when/if the film is removed.

mlittle1

Good Evening:

I have had an 05 AT since mid Dec 04 and now have 10,200 miles on it. I love the car, and would highly recommend it (the XM radio and Navi are especially good features) and have had no problems--except, at about 4000 miles I noticed a small (a bit larger than the size of this *) amount of paint chipped off. It was on the trunk, near the back license plate-so as not to be explained by a rock or something hitting the car. At the 5K service, I told the dealer who touched it up with stock touchup paint. About one month ago, I noticed another chip, about the same size, missing on the roof just behind the sun roof. Again, not in a place usually susceptible to rocks or something hitting and causing the paint to chip. I will tell the dealer when I get in for my 10K service.

I am wondering if I am having some sort of bad luck or does the TSX have some problems with the integrity of the paint finish? Does anyone have a similar experience or any thoughts??

johnny420

The TSX, and many other late model cars, is susceptible to rock chipping. It may have to do with the fact that newer paints aren't mixed with certain chemicals that make them tougher, due to EPA standards.

You might be surprised where rock chips can occur, at least as far as the roof is concerned. It could've been flung from a vehicle far ahead of you and landed on the roof. I've had that happen to previous vehicles of mine. The trunk area is harder to explain, but not outside the realm of possibility.

Cruise some of the other forums. This problem is definitly not exclusive to the TSX or Acuras.

Johnny

ltbnla

I'm having trouble with the clear coat peeling off or bubbling on my 2005 TSX. (Meteor Silver metallic) There are three areas that the guy who waxed my car noticed--the roof near the sunroof, the hood toward the front--toward headlight on the driver's side and the trunk at the back-- hinge side. (He has a better eye than I do, and I hadn't myself noticed anything although I hadn't been looking closely.) I have less than 2000 mi on the car, and I've owned less than one mo. I don't know much about this sort of thing. The weather has been pretty warm since my purchase--Can that cause the clear coat to bubble? Most of the time the car is parked in an underground garage or covered carport though. Is this something the dealer should take care of considering how recently the vehicle was purchased?

delmar1

Sounds like something your car waxer did to your car....especially if he uses a high speed buffer. Especially since you really should not have waxed your car until the paint had a longer time to cure.

Generally...waxing should not be performed until 6 months.

Extremely odd that the clear coat would peel off separately as it should have full adhersion.

Take it to the dealer and see what they have to say.

tridderi

Anyone tinted the windows? I tinted my windows and after a week or so I started noticing lines in the tint of the drivers window. It looked almost as if the tint had been cut before applying it. further examination showed that something was cutting into the tint as I rolled the window up and down. When I took it back to the shop where I got the tint installed, they checked it and told me that the window rubbers didn't have felt and any little bit of dirt would get caught and scratch the window. I am blessed that they stuck to their word on the warranty. They not only replaced the tint for free, but also got a strip of self adhesive felt and installed it on all the doors to prevent this from happening again. They said that they had just seen this on another Honda, but were just figuring out how to prevent it. Anyone seen this?

tridderi

I fixed the paint chips and I broke down and had the X-Pel package installed about a week ago. It is a little hazy upon close examination, but barely noticeable when looking at the car from the front. If I look down the hood from the side of the car (like next to the door when I get in) I can clearly see the line where it ends. Is this how yours is?

When I asked about how noticeable it would be, they told me that black is the color that makes it most noticeable. Mine is red, and it really isn't bad.

drewba

That sounds right. From the front, it is almost invisible. From the side, the line is pretty clear. However, I haven't noticed mine in a couple of weeks. I think that unless you are looking for it, it just blends right in.

johnny420

It's been fairly well documented in various TSX forums. Felt or moleskin seems to do the trick. Also, paying a little extra for a high quality scratch resistant film works. I've had no trouble with my Johnson tints, and I have no felt installed.

Paying attention to keeping the windows clean couldn't hurt either.

Johnny

mt56

I have a carbon grey TSX, and I need to get the windows tinted. I live in San Antonio/Austin, Texas. Any recommendations as to where to do so? I think Acura charges $298 with a lifetime warranty.

How do I choose which tint??

delmar1

All shops offer a lifetime warranty.....

johnny420

mt56, $298.00 sounds too high to me. Hunt around for a better deal. I've found, when it comes to tints, that word of mouth is a good indicator of quality. So if you have friends or colleagues who've had tints done, ask them for a referral.

I had some nice Johnson metallic tints done on my TSX for about $190.00 out the door, so that's a price I'd shoot for. Dealerships always charge way too much.
Just my $.02 worth :P

Johnny

eusnll

I have one complaint with Honda cars ( read Acura also ) . They never offer color matched splash guards, but Black only. On dark colored cars it wouldn't show but with light colors it will standout spoiling the whole look.

Is there anyone who got these things after market ?

delmar1

I actually prefer my splash guards to be black only....but at the same time my cars are all darker. Like the black color because it matches the tires (duh on my part), color conceals dirt and splash marks, dark color makes the car look lower to the ground, and the color will not chip.

saruhhh

I have the white TSX with the black splash guards. They aren't even noticeable because they're right at the wheel well, blending in with all that black. I don't think it throws the look of the car off at all.

gjustus

I just washed my 2006 TSX by hand for the first time. I used high pressure water to rinse, lambs wool mitt to clean, and terry cloth towels to dry. As I was drying the car, I noticed surface scratches on the trunk mostly, but in other places too. I picked up the car Feb. 1, but honestly haven't had the time to look the car over really well. I'm wondering if the scratches were there when I got the car. It is possible that the towels or mitt made them, but I thought they were both scratch-free. Some people have said it is just the clear coat that is scratched and I can buff them out or just wipe on a cream that will do the trick. I'm really upset about this, so I want to get rid of the scratches.

Is all hope lost???

Please make me fell better!!!

billpaul

You didn't mention the color of your car. Dark colors show every little scratch, and black is the worst. Light colors, e.g. light silver, disguise scratches very well. You're right, it's probably just the clear coat, so the scratches can be buffed out. But if the paint color is dark, this will be a never ending battle. Dark colors age very quickly and are very hard to maintain. Years ago I bought a car with dark blue metallic paint, & I will never make that mistake again. As far as washing is concerned, I have always relied on a professional car wash facility and have had good results without any scratches that I have noticed. Car washes used or run by new auto dealerships are best because the condition of the paint is so important for them. Good luck.

redbugeye

Hi. I bough a 2005 TSX with carbon gray pearl last October. I have to park the car outside and was wondering what you recommend to maintain the paint longer without washing out. Do someone also have an experience to own this type of paint of Honda cars for more the five years with parking outside?
Thanks!

johnny420

If you're going to keep your car outside you're going to have to wash it (and wax it)regularly to maintain it. I'm in the same situation, and I wash every 1-2 weeks, especially in the winter.

I've never heard of anything that will maintain a cars paint without at least washing it. Sorry. :confuse:

redbugeye

Thanks for the comment. Sorry for my poor English. I meant "without fading color", not "without washing the car". Do you have a specific wax you recommend?

johnny420

I've had good luck with Meguiars products. I recommend learning to use a clay bar, then apply a good polish then the wax. Do a search and you'll find plenty of good info here.

Other swear by polymer products like Zaino. There's a lot of good products out there now, it's just a matter of deciding on one.

Good luck.

tsx04

I am the owner of a 2004 TSX, Morano Red. I have never taken my car through a car wash...I have always washed it by hand. The paint just seems to be falling off the hood, roof and trunk of my car.....is anyone else having such issues with the paint? My car looks like it has gone through a sand storm. Any advice?

bigmo777

Hi. I have a question on the same topic. I also have a carbon gray pearl TSX that I bought in October. The car is parked in an open air garage so it is not completely protected from the elements.

Anyway, I have been washing regularly but I was advised not to wax for the first 6 months until the paint has a chance to cure. Is this correct? How many months should one wait before they wax a new car for the first time?

Thanks!

robr2

Anyway, I have been washing regularly but I was advised not to wax for the first 6 months until the paint has a chance to cure. Is this correct?

The paint is cured once it leaves the factory. You could've waxed the day you picked it up - the dealership probably did.

rko2

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has the paint chipping problem, but I wish none of us had it. I love my Satin Silver 2004 TSX (46k miles), and I also have several small chips out of the hood and also the front bumper. The base color is grey, so you can't tell unless you look close, but it is annoying. I only wash my car by hand. My car is always waxed, and that doesn't seem to help. I have heard that new pollution standards for paint causes newer paints to be softer, thus having this effect...but I don't know if this is true or not.

Has anyone touched up their paint with the factory stuff? Is it noticable that an area has been touched up? Thanks for the help.

novice

One word of advice is not to use the brush to apply touch up paint. Some people use the tip of a tooth pick to avoid getting too large a drop. Also, I'm told that some TSX colors now have a touch up pencil which is supposed to work pretty well, at least compared to the regular brush approach. I've done too much chip touch up over the years--so this time I installed the clear plastic nose on the car to avoid that peppered appearance that is almost inevitable it seems.

johnny420

Yeah, the brush doesn't work for squat. I've touched up some spots on my front bumper with the factory touch-up paint, and while it does the job, the color doesn't quite seem to match the rest of the bumper. I think it's the brush application that's doing it.

I haven't tried the touch-up pencil, but I've also heard it works pretty well.

FWIW, a lot of makes seem to have the paint issue. It may well be due to EPA standards for paint. It's not a problem restricted to Acura vehicles.

tsxmods

Are there any other oem spoilers from Acura other than the wing spoiler made to fit the tsx? I was looking for a lip type rather than the high factory part. Thanks!

johnny420

The E46 BMW M3 lip spoiler fits the TSX perfectly, but you have to get it painted. It's not expensive and it looks very good on the TSX. The TSX OEM wing is hideous.

Do a search. :shades:

tsxmods

I will check into it - thanks!!

cschwartz59

There is a seller on Ebay who sells an "M3 type" lip spoiler. It comes pre-painted, many TSX owners (including myself) have purchased one and are quite happy with it. Runs about $100 including the shipping. It sticks to the trunk, you peel off the adhesive backing. I think they are a great alternative if you don't like the look of the big spoiler.

tsxmods

I've seen alot of different people on ebay with them. Do you recall who you got yours from? I saw a 05 lexus is300 with a small spoiler w/ brake light. Doubt it would fit, not to mention putting a lexus spoiler on my new acura. :-?

nave13

i too have some paint chipping. i have the carbon graphite pearl. that bluish grey color. i have used the factory touch up. it is a bit darker than the original paint but if the chips are small and you are careful about the application, one can not tell.

cschwartz59

xenonspecialist is the name of the ebay seller that I got mine from.

rhazen541

I do a lot of hiway driving and living in Oregon and I get fair amount of chip in the paint. I learned a little trick from a friend that owns a body shop, and when you apply the touch up paint, shake it really well for about 5-10 minutes to mix the paint up (not solid heavy shaking but keeping it moving and mixing) and then when you apply it DON'T use the brush. Just regular matches from any bar or hotel take out a match and use the end of the paper that was attached not the one with starter on it, and then put the brush on the tip of the match (that was attached) and then place that on the chip and just cover it and it blends easier and doesn't bubble up. I have the Nighthawk black and I have done that a few times on the hood and fender. Just seeing if it helps you at all.

johnny420

Thanks for the tip. I've heard that one before, but have never tried it.

clove

I was in 'love' with the artic blue color -- but this time of year that is hard to find with navi.
There are a million silver and carbon grays.
For some reason I really dislike the silver it just seems so blah to me -- but also that was when I wanted the blue.
So after that my question is which color do you think looks better on the car carbon gray or silver and which is easier on dings, dirt etc???

waw40

You can order any color and interior configuration you want, just will have to wait about 3 months. I did it for my Milano Red/Ebony TSX and never regretted the wait. It feels so good not to have the same color car as most people around you, and... to be able to find your car in a crowded parking lot quickly.

clove

Thanks waw40 -- if I did I would have to get the 07 and they went up $1000 dollars and the dealer said they don't sell for much under MSRP when first coming out -- the PROBLEM is I sold my car earlier this week and thought it would be a great time to get a deal and it may be but I will have to get gray or silver.
The red is my second choice I have a red expedition and love it.

canaanman

I just purchased a Royal Blue w/parchment and I have found a nice scratch near the driver side front door lock. It is a straight line, not a paint chip. Will your method work on something like this? Should I purchase the touch up from Acura?

canaanman

I have had my Royal Blue TSX for about 2 months now and I find that even after a good wash, the pointed are of the hood is slightly discolored. It is almost like there is a condensation or a mist in just this area. Any ideas what to do?

rhazen541

Hey there Sorry to have not gotten back earlier... I have had a few vehicles since I had my TSX. I Bought a Cadillac SRX and then had that for a short time and then NOW I OWN a Land Rover LR3 and love it so that is why not back in the Acura Forum... But will try and check back more. If it is a long scratch like you were "keyed" or something I would go to the Dealership and ask for the number of the guy that does the paint repairs there on site and have them air brush the paint it fills it in perfectly. I can show you on email since I got scratches on my car at dealership having it serviced and had them fix it with the paint guy and fixed scratches where can't see at all! rhaz76@tmo.blackberry.net

pleasehelp3

I have the same problem, I just got my TSX one week ago and after I washed my car, I got all those stains left on the hood, I don't know what to do about it. Did you find any soluction to it yet? Thanks!

smccready

I'm very close to purchasing an '08 TSX, and am debating what color to get. I'm leaning towards Carbon Gray Pearl, but would like to know from others how it does with hiding/showing dirt, scratches, etc. Thanks!

nj2pa2nc

I have owned many gray cars-they seem not to show the dirt as much as other colors. I now have a Milano red 06 tsx-It seems to look clean from a distance for along time. The paint is lousy tho-chips easy. Alot of owners have clear bra's on their cars. Both of my foglights cracked within the first 6 months. After being replaced I now have rockblocker on them. I do love the car, highly recommend it.
Mine has the ebony interior. Bought the car new 11/17/06. it has 44,000+ miles.

dshkrab

Hey smccready,

I own a '08 Carbon Grey Peal TSX. I've had it since Early March. Looks gorgeous, especially when its clean and in direct sunlight (it appears to change colors).

However, as far as dirt goes....you can tell its dirty from about 10 feet away, further than that unless you have bird droppings, you won't really notice dirt. As far as scratches go, I don't know what to tell you, I don't see any yet, but I would immagin tha the color, and the way it acts in the sunlight, it would probably mask scratches pretty well.

Good luck with your purchase.

smccready

I did go ahead w/the CGP, and so far, so good. When I'm driving, if the hood is dusty I can tell, but from a distance, not noticable. I do like the color a lot, I think it really shows off the TSX lines well.

afra1975

espoiler.com has these factory style spoilers at a pretty good price. Check it out