1st Gen Black Door Handle Alternative

My truck started out with lots of chrome. I slowly began converting everything to black Currently, everything except my wheels, rear bumper, door handles and emblems are black. The door handles annoy me the most. I wanted black replacement handles but didn't feel like ripping my door apart. I thought about painting but didn't want to risk chipping. So next I had an idea. Wrap them with vinyl. I contacted ruggedT and he hooked me up with some 2x7 black matte rectangular vinyl cut outs for less than the price of a can of paint. I trimmed them, cleaned the door handles, and slapped them on. They came out really well! I hope they last and don't slowly peel off. I am curious to see how they handle washing/weathering. The hardest part was cutting them to size. Anyways heres some pics!

I first cleaned the handles and propped them up with some old bushings. Propping them up helped fold behind the access vinyl to ensure full coverage of the handle.


Next I cut them, rounded the edges, and sliced the corners so they would fold back easily.


Then I stretched the vinyl and pressed it down going from the inside out to the edges. Be sure not to allow any bubbles.


Finally fold back the edges and make it look clean. And you're done!


For any vinyl decals, I'd suggest contacting ruggedT! He was quite helpful in getting me exactly what I needed!

 

Nice.

FWIW I painted my chrome ones well over a year ago and they look almost mint still. Just some minute hairline scratches. I figure if I have to touch them up once every two years for a total of 15 minutes of my time... I'm down with that.

 

Well thats good to know. If these fail I'll probably go ahead and paint them. Figured I try something new though!

 

I'd imagine if you cleaned it well and laid it down well, which it seems you have, that it'll last a long time as is.

Nice work.

 

That turned out looking pretty good. I am guilty of liking some chrome though.

 

Thanks man! And I can tell...your sig blinds me

 

That came out awesome. Thanks for sharing the results I was rather curious

 

That looks great man! I plastidiped mine a while back and they are starting to peel a little from behind. Guess its time to touch them up

 

you didn't remove them did you? I'm trying to eliminate this last hint of chrome and I can't decide how I want to do it so that it lasts a long time.

lol we're always swapping painting tips. our trucks probably look exactly the same at this point

 

I just hit them with black plastidip. Done.