inside door handle replace or refinish?
03-17-2018, 10:25 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
inside door handle replace or refinish?
My new to me 997.2 C2S has inside door handles that look bad. The silver paint is worn though pretty good. Hard to believe what was a $120k car was built with painted plastic door handles. Obviously, they're going to wear through in short order.
So I can live with them, replace them for $170 - each, or try to refinish them. I can't believe painted plastic door handles are $170 each, but that's a different rant. For that kind of money, they should be solid metal. But they ain't.
Anyone successfully re-paint these? A good two-part automotive paint would last longer. Not sure about a rattle can.
So I can live with them, replace them for $170 - each, or try to refinish them. I can't believe painted plastic door handles are $170 each, but that's a different rant. For that kind of money, they should be solid metal. But they ain't.
Anyone successfully re-paint these? A good two-part automotive paint would last longer. Not sure about a rattle can.
03-17-2018, 10:30 PM
#2
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Try to find someone to cover them in leather?
03-18-2018, 11:43 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
The PO probably had rings or Jerseay nails. It will be tough to paint match DIY unless you are doing both handles.
Bumperplugs.com can paint for you or any body shop. You can prep them yourself to save some coin.
Fun fact, these handles were originally designed to be aluminum but in crash testing them, the mass of the aluminum was too much and the handles would pop open the doors. So they reengineered them in plastic before going to market.
Bumperplugs.com can paint for you or any body shop. You can prep them yourself to save some coin.
Fun fact, these handles were originally designed to be aluminum but in crash testing them, the mass of the aluminum was too much and the handles would pop open the doors. So they reengineered them in plastic before going to market.
03-18-2018, 01:25 PM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Looks like MA Carbon can laminate them in carbon fiber for $625. 
Way cool, but overkill.
If one were to paint them in identical colors, it wouldn't be necessary to get a perfect match to the original paint. Just close would be fine. I just don't know if I can get them painted for any less than what it would cost to just buy new ones.
Most of the used ones I've seen pictures of are carrying scratches too, so not sure if there's an inexpensive path to better ones.
Way cool, but overkill. If one were to paint them in identical colors, it wouldn't be necessary to get a perfect match to the original paint. Just close would be fine. I just don't know if I can get them painted for any less than what it would cost to just buy new ones.
Most of the used ones I've seen pictures of are carrying scratches too, so not sure if there's an inexpensive path to better ones.
03-19-2018, 12:41 PM
#6
Mine (MY05 12/04 build) sound like metal if I tap on them with something metallic, and also get ice-cold and sweat if the A/C is blowing on them. I could swear they are some kind of metal, not plastic. Regardless, it's simple to remove them and paint them. Since there's no other silver trim nearby, a close match would be fine to me. That said, after 13+ years and 70K miles mine are not showing any wear.
03-19-2018, 01:06 PM
#7
Three Wheelin'
No wear on mine. However I had scratches on the silver trim of the steering wheel from the PO. That was a nightmare to respray. If its the same plastic I wouldn't bother. Just buy a new one for $150. https://www.sonnenporscheoemparts.co...MtNmwtaDYtZ2Fz
The hard plastic used in the steering wheel trim would wrinkle if even the slightest bit of paint was left on the surface. See my experience here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...7&postcount=23
I think the more involved part is removing the door panel.
The hard plastic used in the steering wheel trim would wrinkle if even the slightest bit of paint was left on the surface. See my experience here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...7&postcount=23
I think the more involved part is removing the door panel.
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03-20-2018, 06:17 PM
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
I think the inside door handles can be easily changed without removing the door panel. Don't know if there's any cheaper way than just buying new ones, which of course, will probably scratch again.
03-20-2018, 06:19 PM
#9
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You just open the handle and there is a screw that keeps them attached. No need to take off the door panel.
Its so easy to do. For the 30 minutes it would take to remove and spray I would at least try that before buying new ones.
Its so easy to do. For the 30 minutes it would take to remove and spray I would at least try that before buying new ones.
03-20-2018, 08:20 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
this.. and yes, they are plastic.. not metal.
03-20-2018, 09:33 PM
#11
Three Wheelin'
+1 on Bumperplugs or try contacting Automotivetouchup to see if they have the color code for the painted interior parts.
https://www.bumperplugs.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=5_55
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/