Auto Detailing and AppearanceTips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.
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I want to repaint the door handles now that I've had my car repainted. One so they look "newer" and two, because the shop painted the handles body color and didn't mask them off.
I've only ever seen door handles that are nearly 20 years and older. When they came from the factory was it a gloss black? Satin? Matt?
I'd just like to do it back to factory. Though I think a satin finish is probably what was used I just want to check.
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i painted my semigloss with rustoleum spray paint, i think it looks nice, i have the 4th gen door handles they look a little cleaner and dont rattle like my 3rd gen handles
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1991 Formula conversion, 5spd swap, 350tbi with open element, tbi chip, hooker headers, flowmaster exhaust, cat delete, modified throttle body
The black coating was coming off from mine, so I removed them and sanded it all off. Then I painted them body color after using a self-etching primer. Did the same to the door locks.
4th gen handles would be nicer looking though, they don't have the recess on the face.
I sanded mine down and painted them body color when I painted my car.
I went with the 4th gen handles to get rid of the rattles and the indention...much cleaner look IMO. To clean it up a little more I ditched the lock cylinders.
The majority of yall are missing the point and not working towards an answer to his question. The shop painted the handles body color, he does not want that. And why buy new ones? He just wants the right finish on the working ones he has. I would say that the factory finish was a satin. But I would ask around the History/Resto forum before assuming anything.
I think most people are recommending a replacement only because the amount of time to do the repaint right way (removing the handles, sanding, priming, etc) and the relatively small price of a new set of handles. If you're in there pulling out the old, 20+ year handles, why not throw in something new and save the paint time and hassle?
I too plan on picking up a set of the 4th gen handles since they do have a bit of a smoother look to them, but the appearance of the car is a bit down the line of things to do
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1987 Trans Am, work in progress
2008 Pontiac G8
Retired: 1984 Camaro "ZF" 2.8L, 1989 Camaro RS
Customer Service Manager, 1A Auto Parts
I always thought the truck handles worked very well on these cars, but the work involved is over my head. I'm not good with the body work....
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1987 Trans Am, work in progress
2008 Pontiac G8
Retired: 1984 Camaro "ZF" 2.8L, 1989 Camaro RS
Customer Service Manager, 1A Auto Parts
The majority of yall are missing the point and not working towards an answer to his question. The shop painted the handles body color, he does not want that. And why buy new ones? He just wants the right finish on the working ones he has. I would say that the factory finish was a satin. But I would ask around the History/Resto forum before assuming anything.
actually they are glossy black but 1 of mine is satin like do to sun damage.
ran accross this stuff back in 94.. matches the black door handles and window rings 100% hands down.I always keep it for the window rings.
if you check your rings out you will see you need to re spray them also..
i use it on the key frame's/ window rings./ and have fixed Buddys door handles..
Only one place has it!!
no primer needed.
the last coat of the 3 should be sprayed as a light Dusting about
12" to 15" away.
they will look brand new.. let it sit over night.. and your good to go.
also the same with the black trim on your rear Glass. if you go take a look at it. you will see it's flaking off in spots.. this stuff (British black)
will look the same as the day GM made the car..
(no need to buy new glass)
1.scuff up with a new green scotts pad.
2.mask off
3. wipe down to make sure it's clean
4. spray 3 to 4 light coats.about 10 min apart.
5. last coat 12. to 15" away light dusting.(this makes it match the factry finish 100%)
6. let sit for 5 min before removing the masking
Last edited by articwhiteZ; 11-18-2009 at 01:13 PM.
on a side note..the British Black i put on 9 years ago..still Looks new.
yes it was made to do firearms..and to stop rust.. and put up with cleaning and oil's so by just washing with a good car wash it last longer the anything GM ever put on a Car..
I'd just like to do it back to factory. Though I think a satin finish is probably what was used I just want to check.
Though I haven't repainted the door handles, I have sprayed other pieces with a common hardware store satin (three coats with light sanding between) and the result has been satisfying.
If the door handle has any flop/rattle, the spring is broken (Most give up the ghost in a relatively short time) and you might consider replacing them. Lift the handle and take a peek. At any rate, should you decide to replace, check the following link for some other hints about making the doors a bit quieter:
If you are going to take the time to take off the door handles and paint them, you might as well get new ones because they do not cost much to replace. Even if you get 4th gen handles, get NEW handles from the GM dealer or ebay. The 4th gen door handles are only different in appearance, they are the same thing otherwise. You can also get chrome 3rd gen handles brand new off of ebay.
