DIY: "Paint your door handles to match" w/Pics

[WT]

Well I know this has been done but I don't think I heard of anyone doing this in there backyard on there own to save a little cash and to have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. So I figured I share some pictures of my project this week since the temps got into the 70's the last 2 days and I happen to be home since I am out of work also (contract ran out). I was doing this between follow up phone calls and job search engines.

I have a limited and am not a big fan of chrome so I was able to grab up a set of black ones from another member here for a good price when he replaced his with chrome, so that helps with no down time. This also give me time to install them now there done and sitting in the garage to dry more. I will probably install these is a few weeks.

Let me know if you have any questions, also let me know what you think.....

Paints that I used (1st pic), think the cost was under $40.00. I used roughly 3 color coats and 4 clear coats in the end. Used up all the base color and clear coat also. I think I would of had a little better coverage but the wind was really kicking up the last 2 days too.


First base coats of color after the adheshion promoter..........



Fisrt coat of clear going on........



Completed and removed from my holding jig I made, sitting and drying more..



Holding one handle up to truck to check color match of paint, WOW this stuff matches very well...........

[Mtrosclair]

Did you sand them? Where did you source your paint from? Dry time?

[WT]

Originally Posted by Mtrosclair

Did you sand them? Where did you source your paint from? Dry time?

I did a quick sand with some wet dry 600 grit to rough it up a little wiped them down with some grease and wax remover set them up on my home made jig (2X4 scrap and screw)
Sprayed promoter and allowed a dry time of about 15 min between coats and then wait roughly same or longer before first color base coat and 15 mins of flash time between base coats too. Clear coats the same as base coats but I gave the base coat overnight to dry and then did the clear today.
All the information is actually on the cans of paint. As for were I sourced the paint I tried a new company this time since last time I used another company for some paint for my bike it was a shade off, so I went with:
Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories Also this is were I got all my paint supplies in the first picture from. Best I can suggest is light coats at first then a few good smooth coats after that. If you think you may also have issue with dust particles may want to get a tack rag to remove dust between coats or prior to first coats.

[shadyskins]

Nice Work!!!

[asianflava]

Good job, I wonder how the mirrors would look. Thanks for the link to the paint source, I may give it a try.

[Mtrosclair]

Thank you much, color key handles will make the sport package look complete.

[WT]

Originally Posted by asianflava

Good job, I wonder how the mirrors would look. Thanks for the link to the paint source, I may give it a try.

Thanks guys and as for the mirror, I have also considered them but if you do them I would suggest a clear film on them to protect it some since they will take a beating from rocks and debris in general. I just wish I could get my hands on some black ones to paint but they don't sell just the snap in piece and you have to but the whole mirror unless you get lucky to find a deal at a junk yard.

[Mtrosclair]

Can you still use the doors while the handles are off?

[WT]

Originally Posted by Mtrosclair

Can you still use the doors while the handles are off?

Ahh probably not but I got a extra set of black ones from a SR5 member who upgraded to chrome ones, so I don't have to worry about that.

[shadyskins]

Originally Posted by Mtrosclair

Can you still use the doors while the handles are off?

Originally Posted by WT

Ahh probably not but I got a extra set of black ones from a SR5 member who upgraded to chrome ones, so I don't have to worry about that.

Just do the drivers side and passengers side on different days..... if you have a bench like me.... you can just slide across the seat when the drivers side is off..... otherwise.... make a good reach for the handle and push 'er open

[Mtrosclair]

No bench, but with a running start I can probably clear the console.....

[shadyskins]

Originally Posted by Mtrosclair

No bench, but with a running start I can probably clear the console.....

Problem Solved

[07Sport]

Originally Posted by WT

Thanks guys and as for the mirror, I have also considered them but if you do them I would suggest a clear film on them to protect it some since they will take a beating from rocks and debris in general. I just wish I could get my hands on some black ones to paint but they don't sell just the snap in piece and you have to but the whole mirror unless you get lucky to find a deal at a junk yard.

If you have the non towing mirrors, the black "cap" will pop off and you can paint it to match, unless you were wanting to color match the entire mirrors, which I find to be a bit overkill on a bright color like our blue or a red.

Also, great work. I was going to take mine to a body shop, but I also have a spare set of handles, and Im gonna try to do it myself now.

[asianflava]

Originally Posted by 07Sport

If you have the non towing mirrors, the black "cap" will pop off and you can paint it to match, unless you were wanting to color match the entire mirrors, which I find to be a bit overkill on a bright color like our blue or a red.

I was thinking about painting the entire mirror and using a Limited chrome "Cap".

[07Sport]

Originally Posted by asianflava

I was thinking about painting the entire mirror and using a Limited chrome "Cap".

Yeah, that would look good. If you do them all painted though, thats just alot of paint IMO on such a largish mirror. It doesnt look horrible, just not my taste.