infinitereality
SLC IR/8
I'm no professional by any means, but I definitely have experience in painting random crap. So here's how I painted my aftermarket smooth door handles if anyone was considering it doing it themselves. I used Duplicolor adhesive promoter, Duplicolor oxford white and Duplicolor clear coat. Less than $25 in paint, about $95 for the handles for my SCab.
Comparing the cheap Duplicolor paint to stock Oxford White, it's not a perfect match. It's okay, was enough for me to install them instead of bringing them to get professionally painted. Installing the handles is some what of a pain, not horrible and pretty easy but just little time consuming. Tailgate was the easiest to install and I was able to use the textured stock handle on it which kinda flows with the raptor emblem anyways. On the keypad, part of it apparently came up clipped so I need to fix it. I didn't notice until I had the door panel back on and with rain coming this way in a couple hours I wanted to get it all installed. I'll fix it next weekend.
Step 1: take them apart, least as much as possible. I was able to remove the pin for one side, but the other side with the spring I couldn't. Damn aftermarket crap I guess.
Step 2: Wet sand with 600 grit paper, I sanded everything but the handle itself because I wanted to leave my black.
Step 3: Wash with soap and water and dry completely.
Step 4: Tape off handle.
Step 5: Find a long screw or bolt and use it on the side that you removed the latch so the entire handle stands up and off the base.
Step 6: Follow directions on all rattle cans, 3 coats of adhesive promoter with 10 min between coats. I was able to get 5 coats of paint with 10 min between coats. I was also able to get 5 coats of clear, again with 10min between coats and on the last coat I put a heavier coat.
Step 7: After 48hrs either wet sand with 1500 grit, then compound. Or can go straight to compound depending on how good the clear looks.
Step 8: Install on truck, if color doesn't match to your liking (definite possibility due to using Duplicolor rattle can), then take and get professionally painted.
Here's info on door handles and paint I bought:
Pictures....
Installed pics
Comparing the cheap Duplicolor paint to stock Oxford White, it's not a perfect match. It's okay, was enough for me to install them instead of bringing them to get professionally painted. Installing the handles is some what of a pain, not horrible and pretty easy but just little time consuming. Tailgate was the easiest to install and I was able to use the textured stock handle on it which kinda flows with the raptor emblem anyways. On the keypad, part of it apparently came up clipped so I need to fix it. I didn't notice until I had the door panel back on and with rain coming this way in a couple hours I wanted to get it all installed. I'll fix it next weekend.
Step 1: take them apart, least as much as possible. I was able to remove the pin for one side, but the other side with the spring I couldn't. Damn aftermarket crap I guess.
Step 2: Wet sand with 600 grit paper, I sanded everything but the handle itself because I wanted to leave my black.
Step 3: Wash with soap and water and dry completely.
Step 4: Tape off handle.
Step 5: Find a long screw or bolt and use it on the side that you removed the latch so the entire handle stands up and off the base.
Step 6: Follow directions on all rattle cans, 3 coats of adhesive promoter with 10 min between coats. I was able to get 5 coats of paint with 10 min between coats. I was also able to get 5 coats of clear, again with 10min between coats and on the last coat I put a heavier coat.
Step 7: After 48hrs either wet sand with 1500 grit, then compound. Or can go straight to compound depending on how good the clear looks.
Step 8: Install on truck, if color doesn't match to your liking (definite possibility due to using Duplicolor rattle can), then take and get professionally painted.
Here's info on door handles and paint I bought:
Pictures....
Installed pics
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