oh man! another project to do! rack is working well, followed your steps from your video. This looks like a good idea, tired of having to use the plastic restorer every 2 weeks.
My element has been running to the ground, I’ve fixed up all the major drive issues, head gasket, rear upper control arms, and so so much more. can’t wait for the exterior to look great, good video great products!
Great work love the carbon fiber mock up I have a 2005 black element and 1 Fender and the front bumper cover are light gray rather than black I really like the look of this paint
Thanks Ryan, gray trims look terrible with age, I really like the black trims now. The mock carbon fiber only work with paint panels from Element 2006 to 2008 altough they will fit on 2003 to 2008
Thanks for the great video - - got a 08 SC last year & I'd really like to paint the lower panels for the Rubbermaid look. Your video may have inspired me to give it a go.
I'm confused. SC are already painted completely. The SC is the high end element, that has unpainted panels? Huh??? Did some salesmen tell you it's an SC? It sounds like a DX / EX. I drive an Element 115. Yeah, it's super rare. Google element 115.
There is a product called wipe new that will totally restore the plastic on the element there is no need to paint it they will look brand new in 20 minuites and stay that way for years.
Al Somethin I used “Meguiar’s Ultimate Black” on mine and got similar results. Worst spots took 2 coats and some serious rubbing , but panels look almost brand new.
@@buddytesla do you think the results are as good with the ultimate black vs what he did in the video? It looks to me like the results he got in the video are better than what I've seen compared to the ultimate black results, no?
JB JB Hard to say, but it’s definitely less work than what he had to do. Also, painting plastic is iffy at best, I’d be curious to see how it holds up.
Honda should have done this as an option. I wouldn't be surprise if the gas mileage stays the same or improves seeing that the V-6 won't be laboring as much as the 4.
i have a 2003 element and need new shocks in the back but they are so easy to replace i'm going to do all 4 only in the color of my element and might lift it 3", now that i know how easy it is to remove and repaint the plastic all around i'm going to do that to for a whole new element The Honda Element is easily the most awesome vehicle on the road today, they never should have stopped making them i love mine and want to be buried in it because i dont want anyone else to have it
It is a low RPM diesel stationnary engine, it’s a made in india clone of a 100 year old british engine…I just want it to showing it off. czcams.com/video/O5iK2TI-w3U/video.html
Hey u want to do mine? lol I hv the green element. I always hated the gray plastic form day one. Urs looks awesome! And thank for the info on the clips parts number. I've been looking for that to oder some from Honda dealer. 👍🏽
I have to know, have you had problems with the new paint after power washing over the past year? After your restoration? I painted my bumper once last year and it already looks shitty again. I plan on doing the entire set of panels now with better paint. Perhaps a protective clear coat is necessary? If so, let me know. Precise black paint spray brand would be appreciated!!!
Hello, everything is holding up pretty good. The paint I use to turn the gray plastic panels and trimd into black is call Dupli-Color Trim&Bumper Paint
Wait - you can paint the plastic parts?! Looks great. My stupid hood paint has oxidised so I want to eventually have someone paint it for me. But I really need help with my floppy visors. Any tips?
How do I get the little ones black clips or fasteners that go on the plastics on the sides? Specifically those of the front tires, the same as the video show when you indicate (snap taps at the marking line) i think they are a 8mm...
Quick question, I tried to find the video you said you were going to post on how to turn the plastic into a mock carbon fiber look however I could not find anything? Did you ever end up posting any such video? Let me know.
Hi No the video dit not happen. For mock carbon What I did on a the item to be painted: 1. Clean and prep item 2. One coat primer 3. Two coat dark paint 4. Two coat clear coat Then I used a roll of shelves liner that is rubbery and has small square holes. 5. I laid that liner on top of my item, then lightly sprayed with silver paint. 6.Let dry for a few minutes then removed the liner At this point, you almost have the mock effect 7. Finish with two more clear coat for full effet. Make sure to prep and clean surface very thoroughly, let the paint dry completely between each coat and make sure all the different paint are compatible (some dont work together ex: oil base vs acrylic) maybe practice first on something that dont matter, see if you like it...cheers
Thanks for the help, I painted my ‘03 grey panels, now black, yesterday. Man! Huge difference. 5 cans did the trick, glad I asked. I taped everything off but I don’t blame you for taking off the panels because it is a pain, taping off and maybe equally time consuming
Glad it work out, taping is probably the way to go (I was swapping panels between 2 elements) My paint job has been holding fine exept for the bumpers lower trims. Thanks for the feedback
For best results, I recommend scuffing the panels 1st with a scotch brite pad and then rinse the panels and let dry. Wipe panels down with wax/tar remover before painting. Then spray plastic adhesion promoter, before finishing with the trim and bumper paint.
Because it's much harder to get errant paint on your car when the part is nowhere near it. Duh. I thought about doing this but tried Meguiars Ultimate Black. My panels look great and it's way less time and effort than painting. Inexpensive too.
1 reason to remove all the panels on a good ol Element is you get the chance to see any underlying corrosion. While the panels are part of the styling of the vehicle - they are also very good at hiding (rocker panels for ex.). A small issue that will grow and grow, unsuspected to a large one. The mounting clips aren't a big deal and you can clear out accumulated road dust. I live on a rural gravel road = over time, heaps of moisture clumping dust. The other reason of course is to just have at it. You're outside, its summer, you like to tinker and figure stuff out. I find a huge part of enjoying the ownership of various machines - is the act maintaining them. Zen and the art.
Painting a never-painted cladding isn't restoring it, and turns a low maintenance panel into a never-ending maintenance panel.. When the inside surface of the plastic roof trim is the same color as the exposed, and the fenders are the ame color, what is faded? What needs "restoration"? Clean it with a degreaser, wash it well, tteat it with a UV inhibitor like 303 and forget it.
1:56 - BEST PAINT MIXING EVVAAAA!
Thumbs up just for that
Thank you
This is actually not a very good mixing method as you essentially put them on a centrifuge. This would separate more than mix
oh man! another project to do! rack is working well, followed your steps from your video. This looks like a good idea, tired of having to use the plastic restorer every 2 weeks.
It turn out nice ( I just hate the gray panels on the Element) and the paint job hold up good... good luck with your project
My element has been running to the ground, I’ve fixed up all the major drive issues, head gasket, rear upper control arms, and so so much more. can’t wait for the exterior to look great, good video great products!
Thank you…good luck with your project
Nice job! I did the same to my element, but I left everything on and used plastidip, after 3 yrs. I touched it up, they look great!
Only takes 4 hrs.
Thanks for the feedback, removing the trims was probably overdone
Great work love the carbon fiber mock up I have a 2005 black element and 1 Fender and the front bumper cover are light gray rather than black I really like the look of this paint
Thanks Ryan, gray trims look terrible with age, I really like the black trims now. The mock carbon fiber only work with paint panels from Element 2006 to 2008 altough they will fit on 2003 to 2008
There was so much dust and dirt under those!! I didn’t even think about that. This video was very helpful, thank you.
Thanks for the feedback
Thanks for the great video - - got a 08 SC last year & I'd really like to paint the lower panels for the Rubbermaid look. Your video may have inspired me to give it a go.
I appreciate your comment, good luck with your project
I'm confused. SC are already painted completely. The SC is the high end element, that has unpainted panels? Huh??? Did some salesmen tell you it's an SC? It sounds like a DX / EX. I drive an Element 115. Yeah, it's super rare. Google element 115.
@@Melo7849 Nope SC WITH painted panels.... I just like the classic Element look & have been considering painting them.
Plastic bumpers are the hardest to keep un scratched
True, scratches can be fixed with a heat gun. In this case, the bumper was fade from exposure to the sun
There is a product called wipe new that will totally restore the plastic on the element there is no need to paint it they will look brand new in 20 minuites and stay that way for years.
I will look into it...thanks
Al Somethin I used “Meguiar’s Ultimate Black” on mine and got similar results. Worst spots took 2 coats and some serious rubbing , but panels look almost brand new.
@@buddytesla do you think the results are as good with the ultimate black vs
what he did in the video?
It looks to me like the results he got in the video are better than what I've seen compared to the ultimate black results, no?
JB JB Hard to say, but it’s definitely less work than what he had to do. Also, painting plastic is iffy at best, I’d be curious to see how it holds up.
Honda should have done this as an option. I wouldn't be surprise if the gas mileage stays the same or improves seeing that the V-6 won't be laboring as much as the 4.
i have a 2003 element and need new shocks in the back but they are so easy to replace i'm going to do all 4 only in the color of my element and might lift it 3", now that i know how easy it is to remove and repaint the plastic all around i'm going to do that to for a whole new element
The Honda Element is easily the most awesome vehicle on the road today, they never should have stopped making them
i love mine and want to be buried in it because i dont want anyone else to have it
The Honda Element is definetely a really cool motor car, the kind of car that become a family member...good luck with your project...cheers
Cool video. Makes me think some one should make panel kits you could buy
Not bad idea… I wonder how many Elements are still around to be worth while
Wowza
Getting the trim on and off is a pain. Retainer clips break easily, and they are expensive from Honda, so buy them from Ebay orAmazon.
Two Elements 👍🏼👍🏼
I had 3 for a while...I would get more but I ran out of parking space
Been planing to do this, but also spray matte clear coat.
Good luck with your project...lots of good info on paint manufacturers website
Great Video
Thank you
That paint shaker is AWSOME. Never seen one like it before. Gasoline or electric power?
It is a low RPM diesel stationnary engine, it’s a made in india clone of a 100 year old british engine…I just want it to showing it off. czcams.com/video/O5iK2TI-w3U/video.html
Nice video
thanks
Gonna do this with bedliner
works good, although I think the mat finish is the way to go
Hey u want to do mine? lol I hv the green element. I always hated the gray plastic form day one.
Urs looks awesome! And thank for the info on the clips parts number. I've been looking for that to oder some from Honda dealer. 👍🏽
Thanks for the feedback, those grey panels dont age well, the worst one are the blue panels...ugly
@@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox I agree, the blue is hideous. It's great u hv a few Element on hand. I love my HE.
Cool!
Thank you for the feedback
Looks Great, my buddy said he hit it all with a heat gun and it came out super shinny black ? Looks good but didn't see him do it ?
The heat trick works fine, although my panels were gray from new, not black
@@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox Yours Looks Perfect, Better than New as far as I can tell, Thanks for the time and Video !!! Appreciate it 👍💯
@ 1:56 you are just showing off :)
Well, Umm…ok a little
I have to know, have you had problems with the new paint after power washing over the past year? After your restoration? I painted my bumper once last year and it already looks shitty again. I plan on doing the entire set of panels now with better paint. Perhaps a protective clear coat is necessary? If so, let me know. Precise black paint spray brand would be appreciated!!!
Hello, everything is holding up pretty good.
The paint I use to turn the gray plastic panels and trimd into black is call Dupli-Color Trim&Bumper Paint
Niceeee
Thanks for the feedback…
Wait - you can paint the plastic parts?! Looks great. My stupid hood paint has oxidised so I want to eventually have someone paint it for me.
But I really need help with my floppy visors. Any tips?
Good luck with your project, ot sure what you mean by floppy visors
Dont repaint. Use rubbing compound to remove the oxidization then polish. Cost? About $10.
Redux Garage : really? Rubbing compound? You don’t happen to reside in Arizona?
@@ReduxGarage Thanks for the tips
JenaeMarie nope
Any idea where I can find those mounting tabs? I've searched for them but can't quite seem to find any.
Check out hondapartsnow.com
How did you remove the side bottom plastic panels? I am not finding the instructions in the manual.
there is a few screws and plastic retainer at the wheel wells to be removed, then I just pull sideways back and forth.
How do I get the little ones black clips or fasteners that go on the plastics on the sides? Specifically those of the front tires, the same as the video show when you indicate (snap taps at the marking line) i think they are a 8mm...
From Honda, check hondapartsnow.com
Hello, what is the color of bumper Honda Element. Thank You for video
Hi, the colored bumper is the same has the car body. The black one are more like vinyl and can be coated with bedtruck liner with mix success
Subbed, I have car vids too.
Quick question, I tried to find the video you said you were going to post on how to turn the plastic into a mock carbon fiber look however I could not find anything?
Did you ever end up posting any such video? Let me know.
Hi
No the video dit not happen. For mock carbon What I did on a the item to be painted:
1. Clean and prep item
2. One coat primer
3. Two coat dark paint
4. Two coat clear coat
Then I used a roll of shelves liner that is rubbery and has small square holes.
5. I laid that liner on top of my item, then lightly sprayed with silver paint.
6.Let dry for a few minutes then removed the liner
At this point, you almost have the mock effect
7. Finish with two more clear coat for full effet.
Make sure to prep and clean surface very thoroughly, let the paint dry completely between each coat and make sure all the different paint are compatible (some dont work together ex: oil base vs acrylic) maybe practice first on something that dont matter, see if you like it...cheers
Man alive - I wish you lived in Arizona! You could help me!
Did you use duplicator glossy or matte?
It's been a while, if I remember right it was semi-gloss
How many cans did it take?
About 5
Was it 3 cans of paint or more?
I had 5 cans and used 4 and a bit from the last one.
Thanks for the help, I painted my ‘03 grey panels, now black, yesterday. Man! Huge difference. 5 cans did the trick, glad I asked. I taped everything off but I don’t blame you for taking off the panels because it is a pain, taping off and maybe equally time consuming
Glad it work out, taping is probably the way to go (I was swapping panels between 2 elements)
My paint job has been holding fine exept for the bumpers lower trims.
Thanks for the feedback
For best results, I recommend scuffing the panels 1st with a scotch brite pad and then rinse the panels and let dry. Wipe panels down with wax/tar remover before painting. Then spray plastic adhesion promoter, before finishing with the trim and bumper paint.
why on earth did you remove everything? it can be done on the car
I honestly find it easier to clean and paint the parts individually and I also swap panels between two Honda Element
Because it's much harder to get errant paint on your car when the part is nowhere near it. Duh. I thought about doing this but tried Meguiars Ultimate Black. My panels look great and it's way less time and effort than painting. Inexpensive too.
1 reason to remove all the panels on a good ol Element is you get the chance to see any underlying corrosion. While the panels are part
of the styling of the vehicle - they are also very good at hiding (rocker panels for ex.). A small issue that will grow and grow, unsuspected to a large one. The mounting clips aren't a big deal and you can clear out accumulated road dust. I live on a rural gravel road = over time, heaps of moisture clumping dust. The other reason of course is to just have at it. You're outside, its summer, you like to tinker and figure stuff out. I find a huge part of enjoying the ownership of various machines - is the act maintaining them. Zen and the art.
Very good car...Pls bck supp... ;)
Over do the mixing haaaa
Just showing off…
Painting a never-painted cladding isn't restoring it, and turns a low maintenance panel into a never-ending maintenance panel..
When the inside surface of the plastic roof trim is the same color as the exposed, and the fenders are the ame color, what is faded? What needs "restoration"? Clean it with a degreaser, wash it well, tteat it with a UV inhibitor like 303 and forget it.
If the panels are black, sure. But gray panels look horrible with age no matter what, so painting them black seem like a great idea, so far no regrets
I would do it in a heartbeat! The gray looks worn and ages my car.