kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

These are real chrome dipped
I heated them and (melted a spot.. oops)
Pulled the pieces apart and starting peeling the chrome off with pliers and razors. This is a biatch of a process

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

Well I'm almost done stripping them and they'll be going to the paint shop soon

1. heat them up in the oven
2. pry them apart
3. cut and peel the chrome off bit by bit.
4. sand, fill in any imperfections
5. prime and paint.

tobey457

bump for pics!

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

I'll have pics soon
Just trying to get everything together so the painter can shoot everything at once


Door handles, lower mirrors, stupid front bumper licence plate holes etc

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

I have a pwp set I'm trying to sell if anyone is interested

Strippers4Me

Chrome HATER here....

I'm thinking of doing the same thing on my Sportwagon, would love to find OEM handles that fit, scraping/painting chrome (plastic) never seems to work well for durability

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

mine were done the proper way
all the chrome was removed by hand with a razor blade to bare plastic

then filler was applied to fill in the scratches, then prime then paint, then pearl, then clear

robpp

iTrader: (2)

i bought 4 handles from salvage.
i paid savclaude to paint them.

they are on the way HOME as we speak.

total was less than 400 for everything!

MirozS

instead of a paint i had a local sticker place vinyl wrap my door handles and it looks excellent he did a great job and you cant even tell it wasnt painted for only $60



also my friend had an extra set of s2k keyhole covers that were black and i covered the silver key hole and it looks great,

robpp

iTrader: (2)

^^^^^^^^ looks great on black.

i have black vinyl on them now. but doesnt look that great with my grey. I also had them cover my roof rack. THAT looks money and I will keep that on for a bit.



i do have to comment on visors......i DO NOT LIKE since they cover the chrome part way........cover the rest of that window trim with black/

sorry just my opinion/

MirozS

i know i agree man, it was supposed to be wrapped that day but he ran out of time and i never followed up the following week, but then again the window trim looks pretty easy to wrap i guess i could always hit up the local auto store and get some vinyl tape

MirozS

PyroDave

you sir need a detail

Professor

MirozS, very clean looking. Q: 1) Did the installer have to remove the handles, and Q2: How does the material hold up in extreme heat?

MirozS

it needs it real bad

MirozS

no he didn't, he pulled the handle out as if he was opening the door to seal around the edges but that was about it,

the material holds up great in extreme heat, this guy has vinyl wrapped entire cars/ bikes/ trucks with no problems even after 5 years, im not sure if local shops like this exist elsewhere, but just recently he wrapped an entire truck in carbon fiber lol

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

Vinyl is a good alternative but you can't match every color
and its only temporary I think 3-5 year outdoor life depending on the brand

rwoodards

I watched a couple of vids on youtube then gave it a try.

rwoodards

Can you post some pics of the roof rack? I want to do the same thing, but it gets messed up when you attach the crossbars. Thanks.

robpp

iTrader: (2)

I can post pics but I don't have crossbars

WiggsNuke

Ahh, that looks so gooooooood. I HAVE to do this.

Professor

Stupid question: Where do I look for these services? Is it generally a car detailing shop or a body/paint shop?

Professor

It may be odd and look like crap, but I'd entertain the vinyl down to about half way, slice it at 45 degrees, leave a two in gap, and the continue to surface to the end of the handle. And within that two inch gap, lay on some blue leds that would activate when the alarm is pressed. The wiring would be a pain in the ass, but if it could be pulled off an the metal base plate lights up Acura in blue it would be an interesting look one way or another.

chrisgopher

don't they look like the same handles but upside down? haha

i've also thought about painting the door handles. people have also commented about the chrome door trim, but the Lexus IS has chrome door trim and paint matched handles... personally i don't think it looks weird i'm just a broke bitch

leftlanecruiser

My photos are crap, but I also vinyl wrapped my handle and trim with. I used 3m 1080 Scotchprint gloss black.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

if you guys know anyone with a pwp that wants white handles
help me sell mine please

leftlanecruiser

Dude, I check out those handles in the Black Market like every day. Part of me wants them, but I love the contrast the gloss black adds to my pwp.