Proper Installation Of The NSX Nosemask
by Vytas Banionis
The NSX nosemask is a fine quality piece but at times it can be troublesome to install it. When the nosemask is new, it will be VERY tight and installing it for the first time may seem next to impossible since the end of the nosemask seems to be inches too short to from the snap button you must reach around the inner front fender. Believe me, after about ten minutes of pulling and stretching, I got it secured.
The next step is very important. Expose your nosemask in the sunlight. Let it heat up and stretch. After several hours in the sunlight, you'll find the nosemask will have "relaxed." It will then be much easier to install the next time around. Also, I advise using the nosemask for long trips. I'd remove it if you plan on doing only city driving. You may not be driving as fast around the city and a nosemask isn't really that necessary in this type of driving. If you keep your nosemask on long enough, it WILL trap dirt and then act like sandpaper grinding the dirt into your paint and scratching it. For these reasons, use the nosemask for long trips and remove it afterwards. Also, it's not adviseable to drive with your nosemask in the rain since it will trap moisture and once exposed to the sun, the moist nosemask will start to cloud your paint if left on for long periods of time. A nosemask can be beneficial in keeping your front end clean but at the same time can be more damaging to your car if not used properly.
I've seen many nosemasks installed on NSXs and at times I notice that one part of the nosemask is not properly installed. This is what I notice on many occasions.
The photo above shows an improperly installed nosemask. The flap is tucked underneath the nosemask. Installed this way, air will be forced upward and this section of the nosemask will start flapping. This flap will then start to scratch the paint underneath as it's flapping up and down while your driving. If that is the case, most of the time a swirl-mark remover will remove the fine scratches. Below you'll see the flap properly installed so that it's under the horizontal portion of the bumper above the turn signal lens.
If your NSX nosemask is installed incorrectly, correct it by lifting the flap outward, pulling it downward and then tucking it underneath towards the turn signal lens.
Pull the flap up and outward

Then pull it downward.

Tuck it underneath the slot above the turn signal lens.

Side view of properly installed flap.
You may email your comments about this NSX tip to
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