This is a picture thread but its 6G related so I'm putting it here and not in the gallery.

I spent $1200 on two fenders, a hood, bumper cover, then $50 on various body hardware (clips, screws, bolts) to hold it all together. The bodyshop I used painted all the panels and shipped them to me the next day. They are also repainting my faded roof (figured in the $1200 price), but I'll have to wait until I can leave it for a day.

The results are not bodyshop perfect mainly due to me not repairing or replacing the bent radiator support. I am content with the outcome, I think the car looks great for what it is and how old it is (99 with 150k miles almost).

I did everything by myself, even the removal and re-instillation of the hood. EVERYTHING. Approx labor time is about 5.5 hours over two days.

BEFORE -

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010173.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010172.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010174.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010182.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010184.jpg

DURING REPAIR -

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010174-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010175-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010176-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010177-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010178-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010179-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010182-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010183-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010184-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010185-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010186-2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010194-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010195-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010196-1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010197-1.jpg

AFTER -

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010202.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010203.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010204.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010205.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010206.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010207.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010208.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010209.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/Accordlover_2006/P1010210.jpg

Good to see you back on the road! :cool:

So, the "~$1,200" was for BOTH the paint-work & the body-parts?

D.I.Y. labor = win . . .

Looks great! Don't worry about bodyshop perfect. The gaps on most of the 6thGens I see (including mine) are far from perfect.

Thanks Guys! I love the look of it now. :) The tinted windows are also a plus!

The $1200 was parts, paint and the repaint of the roof which I have not done yet.

I picked up my All season mats for the front from Honda and a new steeringwheel cover, too. I'll snap some pics of that later.

Accordlover:

Jolly Good Show, Man! :thmsup:

As Cajun points out, I would NOT be terribly concerned about component "gap" issues. I see a lot of Gen Six cars with panel/part misalignment problems...from the FACTORY...including my own car! :(

I don't see the core support damage you indicate. Maybe I need new glasses. :dunno:

With a bit of ambition and slick wrenchwork, you can raise that left (driver's side) headlamp to better align with your hood. However, I suspect the "Average Bear" won't notice or care! :scratch:

BTW, pretty nice paint match...from what I see in your photos! :yes:

Thanks. I too am really pleased at the paint match. They offered to blend the doors and fenders for an additional $200. I don't see it to be necessary. The bra covers up the majority of the panel misalignment problem.

I hate to see you put a bra on those freshly painted parts - sure to put abrasion lines on them in short order. Some of the alignment issues look like the could be corrected with some simple hood adjustments - but overall it's not bad at all - good job!

andy

good job. glad it worked out for you. seeing this makes me want to replace my front bumper since its so dinged up from the highway

I hate to see you put a bra on those freshly painted parts - sure to put abrasion lines on them in short order. Some of the alignment issues look like the could be corrected with some simple hood adjustments - but overall it's not bad at all - good job!

andy

I don't think I will be seeing any lines any time soon. My old hood and fenders were fine, and I see no salt, snow and minimal rain. I also wash under there every other week at least. I'm sure it will be fine.

This is a car that spends 90% of its time driving on the freeway at 75mph, rock chips will eat away the front of my car much faster than any line from the bra will. The panels are well waxed and as long as I clean it regularly it will be fine.

That "~$1,200" took 5+ years off a 10 year old vehicle, in terms of cosmetics/appearance! :cool:

I don't think I will be seeing any lines any time soon. My old hood and fenders were fine, and I see no salt, snow and minimal rain. I also wash under there every other week at least. I'm sure it will be fine...If your diligent in keeping the "bra" breathable & clean, as well as the hood/front-fenders, you should be fine.

When I moved to Austin many years ago, I used a similar type of "bra" on my midsized SUV & 4th gen' Accord sedan to ward off rock-chips/insects/sedimentation. I was consistent in my surface-prep' & cleaning, yet after a year or two, the clear-coat finish became cloudy/hazy full of swirls (literally looked like someone took steel-wool & went loco' on the body-panels). Some time w/ a PC orbital & buffer (using various grades of polish & pads), everything was fine. Both vehicles were dark(er) in color, so I also experienced some slight paint fade, observable from certain angles & in certain light.

Long-story-short: after a repaint, I personally would've bought the most inexpensive clear-bra/clear-vinyl protection product online for the front-clip (things are ridiculously cheap), and gotten a buddy who is proficient/experienced to install it for a few bucks & six-packs of choice brew (or found someone from a local-area automotive forum who would've done the same for lunch/brew/etc').

Keeping a "bra" & surface-panels consistently clean becomes a P.I.T.A. real quick, not to mention looks very '80ish... :D

Be well & be safe! :cool:

That "~$1,200" took 5+ years off a 10 year old vehicle, in terms of cosmetics/appearance! :cool:

It did didn't it? I can't express how happy I am with the outcome.

Accordlover, I thought you going to do a coupe conversion? But looks eitherway....:thmsup:

It's good to see you have your Accord back in good shape!

There is no way you did that yourself. I call shenanigan. It looks far too good to be DIY.

There is no way you did that yourself. I call shenanigan. It looks far too good to be DIY.He did everything but the paint (outsourced to a body/paint-shop), which means he removed the damaged/worn parts & installed the new OE parts. I don't think he did any body/frame work (nor was it necessary). He's quite an Accord, if not Honda, enthusiast from all I've read/seen over the past year. . .

Accordlover - are you still going to add the Acura sway bars?

There is no way you did that yourself. I call shenanigan. It looks far too good to be DIY.

Accordlover, I would consider arasheht's post to be one of the highest compliments you can receive! Kudos!! :thmsup:

Your ride looks simply amazing!! I agree with Osiris about the paint fading/swirling with that bra over time.

Definitely looks good! As bad as my front end looks I almost want this to happen to my car, but not really. :)

He did everything but the paint (outsourced to a body/paint-shop), which means he removed the damaged/worn parts & installed the new OE parts. I don't think he did any body/frame work (nor was it necessary). He's quite an Accord, if not Honda, enthusiast from all I've read/seen over the past year. . .

I tried replacing my fog-lights 2 weeks ago... I looked at detailed instructions, and I still failed to replace them and ended up breaking my fog-lights :D

I can't take a light out for the life of me, and he replaced the ENTIRE front of his car. :notworthy Plus it looks great, I'm truly in awe of the workmanship.

I tried replacing my fog-lights 2 weeks ago... I looked at detailed instructions, and I still failed to replace them and ended up breaking my fog-lights :D

I can't take a light out for the life of me, and he replaced the ENTIRE front of his car. :notworthy Plus it looks great, I'm truly in awe of the workmanship.

Thanks, :wave:

I'm very happy with it, like I've said 2,000 times already!:lmao:

Now there's one thing missing...

My I <3 My Honda sticker on my back window came off when I tinted since you couldnt see it anymore. I wanted to get the license plate frame but I love my dealership so much that I don't really want to take their plate frame off. :nuts:

I'm weird!:lmao::paranoid:

I am the same way! I purchased my Honda from Open Road Honda (love that dealership!) but I have the dealership frame from Open Road BMW surrounding my rear license plate! :biggrin:

The longtime DA members would remember me because of my former ride. It's just not that easy to forget! :D

Great job! Not to mention the satisfaction of diy. What are you doing with the old parts? Maybe you can get few $$$ by taking it to the scrap yard.

Accordlover:

Thanks for the wonderful photos. They provide me wonderful insight/inspiration as to (soon) installation of my tranny cooler, especially with regard as to where I'm going to locate the inline filter.

Nooo problem!

I was happy to see the pictures again. Such a transformation! Looks so good. :)

Cajun,

Yes, when I have time. :wave: I'll post up about it.