A little something on the sides.

(Another one from the archives)

I Had a little more time and decided to experiment with blacking out the door handles. I cleaned the area with Rust- Oleum Wax and Tar Remover then masked it off and went to town.

Blacking out the door handles can be a fun and stylish way to give your vehicle a unique look. In this case, I used Rust- Oleum Wax and Tar Remover to thoroughly clean the area before starting the process.

Once the area was clean and dry, I carefully masked off the surrounding areas to ensure clean lines and prevent any accidental over-spray. With everything masked off, I proceeded to apply the black paint to the door handles.

It’s important to take your time and apply multiple thin coats to achieve a smooth and even finish. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next one. Once I was satisfied with the coverage, I removed the masking tape and admired my handiwork.

Blacking out the door handles can instantly transform the look of your vehicle and give it a sleek and modern appearance. It’s a relatively simple DIY project that can be done with the right tools and materials. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can achieve professional-looking results.

  This material I am using to cover in black is Plasti-Dip removable and peel-able.  Why use this material?  If I did not like the look I can reverse it with a simple peel it off as opposed to actually paining it and I wanted to test it out.   It is best to over spray around the area then peel the unneeded areas.  Looks ugly doesn’t it?  The over spray area will peel off easily if you apply about 5 coats of material making the last coat or two pretty wet and heavy.  I let each coat dry about 15 minutes.

So far I like it!

After the paint had dried, I carefully removed the masking and was pleased to find that the over-spray came off easily. It neatly tore along the edge around the door handle, leaving a clean finish. Any remaining over-spray can be wiped off using a microfiber cloth, ensuring a pristine look.

The drying process will take approximately 4-6 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity levels. For the paint to fully cure and achieve maximum durability, it will require about 1-2 weeks. It’s important to allow sufficient time for the paint to cure properly, ensuring long-lasting results.

Nevertheless, applying paint to handles can be a bit challenging. Accessing behind the actual handle is often difficult if not impossible, which creates a vulnerable area. As a result, with repeated use, the painted material may start to roll and peel slightly from under the handle, particularly in the area where your fingers grip it. Keep in mind that this is a common issue when painting handles, but it can easily be touched up if needed.