HI all,
I have a Java black, with allegedly Brunel grey trim such as handles, scuttle, grill surround etc.

I am going to repaint the handles but wanted to ask for advice first.

The most important thing I think, is that if I just use a standard can of paint on the door handles, it will just wear terribly and look tatty very quickly. Has anyone found a good paint that matches the external dark grey trim that is strong enough to wear well on the handles. I was thinking of maybe Hammerite or similar with a colour that is similar to the dark graphite/gun metal grey kind of colour that my door handles are.

Or I could even do them java black.

Comments on matching colours vs contrast grey handles would be welcome as well.

Alternatively I suppose I could use the covers that are available, but I have always decided against these due to the way they fit on and the edges can be felt.

quite a lot of threads re this, here are just a few,

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic27260...or+handles
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic51282...or+handles
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic51812...or+handles ... - .- -.




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Thanks Stan, and sorry, I do usually perform a search first but forgot this time.

That Mercedes colour and some matt clearcoat lasted ages on mine, even with brushing hedges off road, go to a bodyshop supplies for it, it's far better quality than Halfords etc, and usually cheaper...!! Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks guys.
Having read the links, I have actually opted for the cheap ebay covers in matt black. The final clincher for me is that a couple of days ago I had a second hand door handle delivered - which I needed to dismantle to get a part off. It occurred to me after reading the links from Stan that the second hand part that was delivered looked like it had a cover on it. So, went into the garage and had a look at it, and it does have a cover, so now I have tried that cover "on for size". To be honest, as fussy as I can be, I do not think I am going to be bothered by the "sharp lip" that is considered a downside to these covers.

If I don't like them it will only have cost me £18 and 5 minutes, I'll take them off and then do the more involved process of sourcing paint and doing the painting, which is likely to be half a days time.

TBH, I think the "sharp lip" could easily be reduced with a thin bead of automotive silicon.

Regardless, like many of you, my handles were tatty from the day I bought the car, so whatever I do will likely be an improvement. Now, having said that, my cheap handles will probably be the quality of yoghurt pot plastic and fit terribly.

I put some covers on a mates a few months ago, if you spread them so the sides don't stick before the front of the cover sticks then the ridge is very minimal and doesn't notice or feel odd...  Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Excellent tip thanks Haylands
Mark

Fit a cover before removing the backing paper and see what you think. This was one of the first jobs we done to ours and well pleased. We went for the matt black to match the windows and trim.

^ Cheers Billie will do:)

Fitted chromed covers to mine cos handles looked quite worn when I bought the car, that was a while back, but a bit too much bling. Now in process of fitting zermatt silver door handle covers and wing mirror covers, test fitting without glue looked really good, mates all like it, no real sharp edges on handles, all sourced from the old interweb.

Hi Merchy,
I agree about the silver vs chrome and too much bling. I saw a chrome Bugatti Veyron recently and even that didn't look too good in chrome. Someone on a Jeep Wrangler forum said to me "Chrome dont get you home", which I thought was a good saying for 4x4 enthusiasts.

Update: Covers have arrived.

The red cover came with the second hand handle I bought to dismantle for parts. The black is a cheap one from ebay at £18.99 which arrived this morning.

The first thing that I noticed is the sides are not as deep on the black as the red, meaning more of the old handle is noticeable around the area where the "sharp edges" are. The black are also about 1-2mm thicker larger, this would be an extra 1-2mm vertical when fitted.

Just had a look at one cover on the car, there is a lot of the old handle very visible in the daylight and it is not a look I will be happy with. My existing handles are quite light in colour and this is what makes it so noticeable. The shoulders of the cover do not even cover all the handle.

I would not recommend these cheap ones off ebay.

Looks like I am going to be doing a spray job then.

Why not just wrap them? Can get full coverage and get them done in any colour you like.

^^ Now that is an interesting idea. I will look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

No worries It’s how most current body shops deal with colour changes or blacking out chromed up cars etc. Cheap, relatively easy and hard wearing.