Painting door handles
#1
Painting door handles
Hey guys, I'm thinking of taking my TSX to a body shop and having the door handles painted to match body color. Chrome door handles is one thing I REALLY REALLY cannot stand. It's too much Buick and it interrupts the otherwise clean C-pillar line flow.
But with the case of the TSX i made a big compromise cause there isn't nothing close out there at that price.
How difficult would it be for the body shop to paint the handles? I think it's just chrome plated plastick. I tapped a nail on the handle and then on the door itself to distinguish the sound, and to me the handles sound like plastick.
Would they have to strip the chrome off and then paint it, or can you paint straight on top of the chrome plating?
Any body/paint experts out there?
But with the case of the TSX i made a big compromise cause there isn't nothing close out there at that price.
How difficult would it be for the body shop to paint the handles? I think it's just chrome plated plastick. I tapped a nail on the handle and then on the door itself to distinguish the sound, and to me the handles sound like plastick.
Would they have to strip the chrome off and then paint it, or can you paint straight on top of the chrome plating?
Any body/paint experts out there?
#3
They'd definitely have to prep them by sanding them down. I doubt it's any different than what they had to do in order to properly paintmatch my front grill.
I think the painted handles look fine with the chrome trim around the windows. Unless you were getting rid of the chrome trim too, I wouldn't paint the handles.
I think the painted handles look fine with the chrome trim around the windows. Unless you were getting rid of the chrome trim too, I wouldn't paint the handles.
#4
They'd definitely have to prep them by sanding them down. I doubt it's any different than what they had to do in order to properly paintmatch my front grill.
I think the painted handles look fine with the chrome trim around the windows. Unless you were getting rid of the chrome trim too, I wouldn't paint the handles.
I think the painted handles look fine with the chrome trim around the windows. Unless you were getting rid of the chrome trim too, I wouldn't paint the handles.
100% agree. You def would need to paint the trim around the windows and should probably paintmatch the front grill too so that it is consistent.
Definitely something I have thought about doing though.
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Sean S Thuok (06-25-2013)
#7
actually, I intend to leave the chrome trim around the windows as I like them. On some cars the window chrome trim makes it look cheap and less sporty, and on some cars the chrome trim actually adds to the classy look. On the TSXs, the chrome trim enhances the look of quality, mainly because of the gorgeour and angular body lines. But it's those damn chrome door handles I can't stand!!
Covering up window chrome trip is a VERY easy job. You don't even have to paint. All you need is black electrical tape and just cover it up. Since the window trims are painted flat/matte black anyways, the electrical tape looks absolutely factory. And you can "undo" it just as easily.
When I had a 2000 Maxima that's what I did, but like the TSX, 5th generation maximas actually look better with chrome window trim.
www.expresspaint.com I found this site, and I don't think I even need to goto a body shop. I think i can do it myself. Sanding it down real good is the most labor intensive part.
Covering up window chrome trip is a VERY easy job. You don't even have to paint. All you need is black electrical tape and just cover it up. Since the window trims are painted flat/matte black anyways, the electrical tape looks absolutely factory. And you can "undo" it just as easily.
When I had a 2000 Maxima that's what I did, but like the TSX, 5th generation maximas actually look better with chrome window trim.
www.expresspaint.com I found this site, and I don't think I even need to goto a body shop. I think i can do it myself. Sanding it down real good is the most labor intensive part.
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#10
and there are areas on the chrome window trim, like the corners, that would require multiple strips to cover. And you will have to "bend" the tape somehow to use as few strips as possible. With all those peices of tape, atleast some of the many edges will be visible for sure. If you can use the tape and make it look good ill give you props for coming up with a cheap solution :P ... but i think it will be difficult.
#16
yeah i'd be very surprised if the handles had the same part number. As for electrical tape on window trim, you can only see the corners from up close, and even then it's not that bad. Hey, it's not a bad solution for $2.99, and if you are handy and do a good job, it really does look OEM lol
And you can take it right off if you want. I took it off the Maxima after a month cause it looked more upscale with chrome around the windows.
And you can take it right off if you want. I took it off the Maxima after a month cause it looked more upscale with chrome around the windows.
#18
Hey guys, I'm thinking of taking my TSX to a body shop and having the door handles painted to match body color. Chrome door handles is one thing I REALLY REALLY cannot stand. It's too much Buick and it interrupts the otherwise clean C-pillar line flow.
But with the case of the TSX i made a big compromise cause there isn't nothing close out there at that price.
How difficult would it be for the body shop to paint the handles? I think it's just chrome plated plastick. I tapped a nail on the handle and then on the door itself to distinguish the sound, and to me the handles sound like plastick.
Would they have to strip the chrome off and then paint it, or can you paint straight on top of the chrome plating?
Any body/paint experts out there?
But with the case of the TSX i made a big compromise cause there isn't nothing close out there at that price.
How difficult would it be for the body shop to paint the handles? I think it's just chrome plated plastick. I tapped a nail on the handle and then on the door itself to distinguish the sound, and to me the handles sound like plastick.
Would they have to strip the chrome off and then paint it, or can you paint straight on top of the chrome plating?
Any body/paint experts out there?
#19
I was just washing my car earlier and was pissed about the damn chrome handles. I hate them. I'm taking the car to get those and the window trim painted not this week but next week. I'll post pics as soon as its finished. I'm leaving the beak alone. For some reason I kind of like it the stock color. And if I were to paint that too it'd be like the new Toyota camry with the solid color across the entire car. I don't like it. Maybe I might paint part of the beak. We'll see. But yes. This is getting scheduled. I'll update as soon as I can.
#22
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opboarding (07-28-2011)
#23
#24
I wish that Acura did a door handle for the 2nd gen like the first gen, paintmatched with chrome accents.
But with this car, the trim definitely needs to be the same colour as the handles. I plastidipped the chrome trim once and it didn't look right because of the handles. So I'm guessing it works vice versa too
But with this car, the trim definitely needs to be the same colour as the handles. I plastidipped the chrome trim once and it didn't look right because of the handles. So I'm guessing it works vice versa too
#25
#26
i have done the window trims and leaving the door handles chrome. think it looks better that way. here some pics
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0186.jpg
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0187.jpg
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0188.jpg
first try, came out pretty good and had minimal equipment as you can see.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0186.jpg
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0187.jpg
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0188.jpg
first try, came out pretty good and had minimal equipment as you can see.
#28
I vinyled my window trim like a month ago and left the handles chrome. I'm not sure how much I like it, but I spent like 4 hours doing it so its hard for me to justify peeling it off. It makes the car a little more plain without the chrome, but would look good if you were trying to black out the whole car.
#35
Got my handle in the mail yesterday and I started working in it
Problem is Honda engineers are on crack; the 2 parts of the handle are held together by 2 screws (or so you think) once you remove the screws, the 2 parts don't come apart because they glue the pieces together as well. Why the hell put screws there then? for looks?
I'm off to get this going, I'll report back later
Problem is Honda engineers are on crack; the 2 parts of the handle are held together by 2 screws (or so you think) once you remove the screws, the 2 parts don't come apart because they glue the pieces together as well. Why the hell put screws there then? for looks?
I'm off to get this going, I'll report back later
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ed_423 (10-06-2011)
#36
Got my handle in the mail yesterday and I started working in it
Problem is Honda engineers are on crack; the 2 parts of the handle are held together by 2 screws (or so you think) once you remove the screws, the 2 parts don't come apart because they glue the pieces together as well. Why the hell put screws there then? for looks?
I'm off to get this going, I'll report back later
Problem is Honda engineers are on crack; the 2 parts of the handle are held together by 2 screws (or so you think) once you remove the screws, the 2 parts don't come apart because they glue the pieces together as well. Why the hell put screws there then? for looks?
I'm off to get this going, I'll report back later
Are you stripping the chrome before having the handle covers painted?
Most will tell you it's ok to paint over chrome, but I have never seen it hold up over time, even when done by a body shop. I would highly recommend taking the extra time to remove the chrome before having them painted.
I have stripped chrome before and have never had luck with chemicals, but using a jack knife works like a charm. Just got to get the angle right, and once you get a corner lifted you can pull decent chunks off. Takes some time, and patience, just don't cut your fingers off.
#37
Yes I'm stripping the chrome but I'm having some issues
1. I want to take the handle apart so the backside doesn't get ruined; but it's a challenge as it's glued together...I'm going to trying thin fishing line to
try and get the glue to break.
2. I usually take my aluminum parts to a shop and they dunk them in a tank
and electrostatically de-chrome them. Since these parts are plastic, I'm not sure they can be done that way but I have left them a message to see if they can.
3. I read chlorox will strip chrome off plastic, I tried it.....no luck
1. I want to take the handle apart so the backside doesn't get ruined; but it's a challenge as it's glued together...I'm going to trying thin fishing line to
try and get the glue to break.
2. I usually take my aluminum parts to a shop and they dunk them in a tank
and electrostatically de-chrome them. Since these parts are plastic, I'm not sure they can be done that way but I have left them a message to see if they can.
3. I read chlorox will strip chrome off plastic, I tried it.....no luck
#38
Somehow I can't see electrical tape as a great modification. Although it is an easy fix and easy to remove, it wouldn't provide a nice finish that most are looking for.
The chrome definitely has to be stripped or sanded. I don't think chemicals are the way to go. Keep us advised.
Good luck.
The chrome definitely has to be stripped or sanded. I don't think chemicals are the way to go. Keep us advised.
Good luck.
#39
i know they are hard to trust but maybe listen to the focus fanatics? lol
its focusfanatics .com /forum/showthread.php?t=189843
remove the spaces. oven cleaner and purple power seem to be the most agreed upon and don't seem to damage plastic
its focusfanatics .com /forum/showthread.php?t=189843
remove the spaces. oven cleaner and purple power seem to be the most agreed upon and don't seem to damage plastic
#40
I have some purple power at home, I'll try it
I think there's various ways to chrome and if these are done the triple coated way, I don't think purple power or oven cleaner will remove actual metal
but I'll keep you guys updated
I think there's various ways to chrome and if these are done the triple coated way, I don't think purple power or oven cleaner will remove actual metal
but I'll keep you guys updated