Front grill bezel: painted or not?

2556 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by TheWorm, Dec 22, 2001

mikedan

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2001

When I was picking up my MDX from the dealership, I walked around the truck and pointed out any flaws or blemishes. I showed them some tape adhesive remnants on the front grill bezel (flat black below the front Acura logo). The detail fella came up to fix it and pulled out an unmarked bottle of cleaner. I should have smelled the problem from there... but I didn't. So now there's an off-white mark 2" x 3" where he stripped off part of the surface.

I took it back to the dealer Tuesday and was informed that they can't order just the black bezel part, that its part of the entire front bumper. So they want me to bring it into an auto paint place and have the grill painted.

Is this a factory painted part? I was under the impression that plastic parts like this aren't painted at all, that the paint is part of the piece. I don't want this painted if that's not how its supposed to be - and obviously it wouldn't look right over time. The service dept. assures me repeatedly that this is, in fact, a factory painted part... I would just like confirmation.

Thanks.

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TheWorm

· #2 · Dec 21, 2001

It does look like it might be all 1 piece in the service manual. Tim would know for sure, obviously.

However, if you're talking about the flat, relatively soft, plastic that I think you're talking about: I just checked and it really doesn't look painted to me.

It sounds like whatever the serviceguy used etched the plastic.

Have you tried some rubbing alcohol, WD40, +/or peanut butter (creamy) to see if it may be surface only? You could also try Mother's "back to black" to see if that might fix it.

You might even be able to buff it back since I bet under the etching (which it probably is, but those prior tips are worth a shot if by chance it's not) is clean black.

C&J01MDX

· #3 · Dec 21, 2001

Could you provide a pic?
are you talking about the mesh area....or the black that surronds it...
The black that surronds it is part of the bumper...however the mesh and the area where the chrome 'A' is....is a seperate piece.
cya

TheWorm

· #4 · Dec 21, 2001

Good Q C&J. In my response, I assume Mike's talkin' about the mostly-horizontal plastic that abuts the painted parts (and mesh), and not the mesh itself...

mikedan

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 21, 2001

Piece

Right you are - its the black horizontal piece. Not the mesh.

Worm - no, I didn't try any of those yet. I'll give rubbing alcohol a try first, then WD40... but are you serious about PB? Seems like a somewhat insane treatment unless I follow it up with a buff job using Wonder Bread and a sealing coat of Smuckers.

Mmmmmm, plastic sandwich.

mikedan

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 21, 2001

Pics

Oh, I forgot: I'll get some pics in the morning, before and after the PB&J application.

Rail

· #7 · Dec 21, 2001

I had a small scratch on the same piece when my MDX was delivered -- however I guess this doesn't fall under a part that's under warrantee by Acura Corp. so the dealers end up having to fix it without getting reimbursed -- my dealer gave me a choice, either they'd fix it or give me a rear deflector (which works out cheaper for them than repairing it) -- I took the rear deflector... the scratch is hardly noticable anyhow.

Rail

TheWorm

· #8 · Dec 21, 2001

Peanut butter takes off wax and other residue that's often white on black plastic parts

BTW, be sure and wipe off well w/a damp cloth after the alcohol and wd40 -- you don't want it sittin' there!

mikedan

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 22, 2001

Pic

Here's a pic of the affected spot. After I took this photo I used some alcohol with a clean towel. It looked to get a bit whiter and then a bit darker after I buffed it dry. I'll go back out in a little while to see how it looks. As you can tell, I don't have much to lose.

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TheWorm

· #10 · Dec 22, 2001

I'd bet dollars to donuts that the damaged trim piece isn't painted.

Try the PB and WD40 if the alcohol doesn't work. If none of those work, it's etched (as opposed to some sorta residue). In that case, you could try a mild abrasive like 3M scratch and swirl remover to get down past the etched part. Mothers back-to-black, or even a tire dressing, might cover it up, too.

BarryH

· #11 · Dec 22, 2001

The black grill surround is painted and is a part of the bumper assembly. I'd buy some Mequiar's plastic convertible window polish that has abrasives to remove the scratches but is still gentle enough for plastic. If that doesn't work, I'd make the dealer repaint the grill surround as the damage is very noticeable. Good luck.

mikedan

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 22, 2001

Wow...

Lots to think about. I'm heading to relatives for a few days so I'll give all of these a try when I get back. If all else fails I'll just let the body shop try their thing.

Thanks for all the advice, if anyone thinks of anything else please feel free to post it.

bailey

· #13 · Dec 22, 2001

Bumper is painted in plant, however, area that has been damaged would have been masked off to allow contrast between origional black surface, and painted surface. If all else fails, try rubbing a shoe polish into area. It may seem a little shiny at first, but blend it in after it sits for a few minutes.

Good luck !!!!

C&J01MDX

· #14 · Dec 22, 2001

bailey said:
Bumper is painted in plant, however, area that has been damaged would have been masked off to allow contrast between origional black surface, and painted surface. If all else fails, try rubbing a shoe polish into area. It may seem a little shiny at first, but blend it in after it sits for a few minutes.
Good luck !!!!

You are correct....that area is masked from the body color paint...and it is dull plastic, there is no paint on the surface...
basically you have two options try the shoe polish as bailey mentioned....or another similiar technique in the industry is to take a black china pencil and color on a sock....and then rub the sock on the part....
it may be shiny at first....but will go away
cya

TheWorm

· #15 · Dec 22, 2001

Hey Barry - you got a Krispy Kreme nearby? Yum yum

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