DIY Door Handle Repair

Dex4 · May 22, 2009

I finally got sick of looking at my scraped up door handles. So I decided to try out some black Plastic Dip spray paint I had picked up earlier this month.

Not many tools needed for this.
Goof Off Graffiti Remover
320 grit sand paper
Plastic Dip Spray paint or your choice for preferred paint

Picture before starting:

Remove door handle, you can pry from the bottom and pull out and up.
Once all 4 are removed you can start removing the soft touch.
I sprayed a good coat of graffiti remover to the handle and let it sit for about 1 minute.

You should be able to peel off the softtouch with your fingernail, if not let if sit of another minute.
Once it is loosened, you can use the plastic cap off the spray paint can to remove the soft touch, like peeling a carrot.

After that you can use the 320 grit to finish cleaning it up.

Use some soap and water to clean and wipe off with a clean paper towel.

Next apply spray paint of your choice. I used 4 coats of black plastic dip spray paint. It does have more of a rubbery feel to it and the color is a shade darker, but I think the window control is faded a little.

Wait until completely dry before remounting them.

Here is how mine turned out.

So far this week it has been holding up really good, I had scraped it with my watch and it didn't take anything off.

turbosupra12 · May 22, 2009

Looks good. How exactly do the handles come off?

robhurlburt · May 22, 2009

i have heard good things about plasti-dip. Looks good, I have a can sitting in my garage for this very purpose. I want to do the window switch surround also, but I don't know how to get the silly thing out

Ridenbaugh · May 22, 2009

robhurlburt said:
i have heard good things about plasti-dip. Looks good, I have a can sitting in my garage for this very purpose. I want to do the window switch surround also, but I don't know how to get the silly thing out

I just played around with them until they popped out. Then I basically did the same steps as above to paint them. sorry for the poor pic quality.

robhurlburt · May 22, 2009

so it just pops out if you pull up? interesting

Ridenbaugh · May 22, 2009

I don't think I just pulled up, but it was a very long time ago. I think I just played with it until it came out. maybe it was forward and up. either way just be careful cause there are little plastic tabs on the side that break really easy. I think one of them broke on my drivers side but it still fit in just fine and doesn't seem loose at all.

robhurlburt said:
so it just pops out if you pull up? interesting

turbosupra12 · May 22, 2009

Where did you guys get the Plastidip? Is it available readily, or only at specialy shops?? Anyone in Canada ever see it anywhere...??

robhurlburt · May 22, 2009

I got mine at home depot

baldwin8 · May 22, 2009

I have noticed that the framing around the air conditioning, radio and instrument cluster appears to be coated with the same black material. It might be worth investigating for that too.

As well a friend of mine has on handle his son scraped off, so I will tell him about it.

These are the nice things about forums like these is hearing ideas that other people are using.

Dex4 · May 22, 2009

Plastic dip can usually be picked up at a hardware or automotive store. It does not feel anything like the soft touch. I believe there is a company that you can order the soft touch spray paint through but it was expensive.

Ridenbaugh · May 22, 2009

really. I couldn't seem to find it anywhere, I looked through most of the "peeling paint" threads to find something oem to no avail.

edit... btw you did a great job, I painted my little black piece of plastic on the gearshift due to peeling and it was just to glossy so I didn't bother with the door pulls. I used flat black, but what you used is much much better.

ctrlz · May 22, 2009

That looks really good, IMHO.

The handle cover is easiest to remove by prying the front lower corner tab off first. Use a screwdriver to roll it off. Then the rear and upper latches can be freed by wiggling.

Ridenbaugh · May 23, 2009

please tell me you are talkin about my trim!! I've just been dieing for someone to love it... j/k

ctrlz said:
That looks really good, IMHO.

The handle cover is easiest to remove by prying the front lower corner tab off first. Use a screwdriver to roll it off. Then the rear and upper latches can be freed by wiggling.

Kandiru · May 23, 2009

While on the subject adding window insulation between the handle and base, the kind that is adhesive on one side and very soft, removes are creaks and squeaks. You will find it at Walmart in the A/C section.

turbosupra12 · May 23, 2009

Does the PW surround come off easily too??? Mine is peeling quite badly in there too.

bb87 · Mar 21, 2010

Sorry to bring up an old post.

Question for the OP -- or others who have done this:

When I apply the plasti dip spray, there are a lot of air bubbles. I'm following the directions, shaking it up for a minute before use, and applying in a place without breeze. In the photos here, it looks smooth. Any tips to avoid this problem?

Thanks!

xp3 · Mar 22, 2010

You are probably applying too much of a paint at a time.
Let it dry, re-sand thoroughly, and re-apply paint evenly.

Also, are you working in optimal temperature?
It may bubble if it is too cold or you haven't prepped it right

bb87 · Mar 22, 2010

Thanks xp3. I will try and sand down again and re-apply. Been working in 70 degree weather this weekend, so I doubt that was a problem. If anyone else had this problem, please post comments. Will let you know how my second round goes..

Dex4 · Mar 22, 2010

There was a small bit of texture when I was finished, but no bubbles. I am not sure if it will sand very very as it is almost like a rubber/silicon feel.

davem63 · Apr 14, 2010

Door Handle Peeling

Is there a similar process for the outside door handles? The black paint on mine is looking pretty nasty.

Gs04aero · Apr 14, 2010

davem63 said:
Is there a similar process for the outside door handles? The black paint on mine is looking pretty nasty.

Sure, sand them down, prime them and paint them. Prep is extremely important especially that they are exterior door handles and will see a lot of use and movement. Paint will easily chip if not prepared correctly. Or buy painted handles. Thats the route I went. Won't have to deal with a bad paint job.

Oh 3 Nine 3 · Jul 23, 2010

How are the handles holding up everyone? I plan on doing it this weekend.

039-3arc · Jan 13, 2011

Remastered my handles. Thanks to this post!

See my result on my other post:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1919787#post1919787

doclike · Aug 8, 2015

will ordinary car paint stick to plastic door handles ?

woutersmit · Jun 18, 2017

How is plastidip on the inner door handles holding up for you all in the long run? I've followed the procedure and used a product similar to plastidip, according to the local car parts retailer.

The result was perfect after 6 layers of paint. Really smooth and soft. However, now that the door handles have been in my car for two months, the paint has started to get bubbly, as you can see on the picture. The product I used is on it too. It's a normal western European summer here, with outdoor temps of 20 to 25 degrees C. Ofcourse it gets hot in the car, but not as extreme as in many other parts of the world. Is plastidip not acting up when it's hot?

Diggs · Jun 19, 2017

Buy new handles.

woutersmit · Oct 4, 2018

Finally the Plastidip came peeling off on both the handles in my 9-3 and my 9-5, driver's door first. I've now applied wrapping foil to see if that's better. Don't waste your time on Plastidip people, it's not durable at all.

ET160 · Aug 28, 2019

I had problems with plasticdip, too. It started to peel soon after application.

dspargo · Aug 28, 2019

SEM 39143 Trim Black Paint

DIY Door Handle Repair

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