How hard is it to change the door handles out? I really like the body colored handles of the '03 compared to the '01-'02 chrome, especially on my black car. The actual handle piece is pretty cheap, under $40 each. I guess it is just a matter of removing the trim panel and unscrewing things?

Anyone done this?

 

why don't ya just get em painted?? along w/ the front grille piece...maybe the guy would do em together as a deal? just a suggestion

 

every guy i have talked to has said the paint will come off, eventually. They don't really wanna do it.

 

My grille already is painted. The only chrome pieces left on my car is the trim that surrounds the windows and the handles.

 

they must suck. it would be easy to paint the door handles.

 

that's what I thought...it should be quite easy...

 

I was looking to do this too. Do you know if they come painted or you have to paint them? You probably have to access them by taking off the side peice/armrest peice(forget exact name right now).

 

They come painted

 

Cool. How did you figure out which part number went with which color? I have no clue how to tell.

 

i wanna swap my door handles out.. its anthracite. wiht the chrome ones.

 

I haven't yet. I'd have to go to the dealer and ask. I'm going Wednesday anyways for my S/C install.

 

you shoudl be able to do if once you remove the door panels

 

what color are you looking for, i know what part numbers goes to which color

 

to make this easier here are the parts numbers

Right Door
72140-S3M-A11ZA - Aegean Blue Pearl
72140-S3M-A11ZB - Nighthawk Black Pearl
72140-S3M-A11ZE - Taffeta White
72140-S3M-A11ZF - Satin Silver Metallic
72140-S3M-A11ZG - San Marino Red
72140-S3M-A11ZJ - Anthracite Metallic

Left Door
72180-S3M-A11ZA - Aegean Blue Pearl
72180-S3M-A11ZB - Nighthawk Black Pearl
72180-S3M-A11ZC - Taffeta White
72180-S3M-A11ZD - Satin Silver Metallic
72180-S3M-A11ZE - San Marino Red
72180-S3M-A11ZJ - Anthracite Metallic

 

Thank you sir

I just thought of something else though. WOn't you have to swap out the lock into the new door handle somehow? I mean just incase the remote goes dead, you need to get in the car somehow.

 

of course you need to swap out all the other parts to make it work, the only difference between the 2003 door handles and the 2001-2002 is they aren't chrome. all the other working parts are identical and can be swapped out

 

I know, I just don't know how easy the lock will pop out.

Damn, acura automotive parts.com uses different numbers. Pain in the ass.

 

they don't actually pop out, there is a clip that is holding it in place that just slides out

 

Painting the chrome surface is a bitch. If you don't prep it right, it's gonna chip and flake. Plus it's a high-traffic area (hands) so it's bound to get nicked up.

Get the OEM painted ones.

 

you would prolly have to prep he chrome so the paint would stick to it, i say your better off just buying new ones