Question for auto body painters, DIY’ers

[Jersey mike]

I had my “03 Ford van repainted recently. For some reason they didn’t paint the door handles.

I can remember if OEM new was gloss black or flat black which is how they appear now, I’ve had the truck over 10 years, can’t remember how they look d back then and that’s fine but now they’re faded black going toward grey.



I can settle on flat black, I’m wondering if they should be clear coated or not, so that’s my question.

Doing a test on a similar piece of metal is in the works before I do paint but is there a reason flat black isn’t clear coated?

Thanks, appreciate any feedback. 

[TNRACER]

Clear coat FLAT BLACK & now have GLOSS BLACK .

[signart]

Use satin black or use any black you want, then use satin clear if you want clearcoat.
I would just use the satin black and leave it alone.

[Jersey mike]

I haven’t decided on what brand of paint to use yet…Krylon, Dupli-color but I wasn’t sure how beneficial a clear coat would be for I guess hardness or protection from scratches, these are door handles used often.

For flat/satin black I was going to use a satin clear.

Not looking to make a huge project out of it, I just want to tape and paper the area, spray the handles 2 or 3 coats and finish.

[signart]

I haven’t decided on what brand of paint to use yet…Krylon, Dupli-color but I wasn’t sure how beneficial a clear coat would be for I guess hardness or protection from scratches, these are door handles used often.

For flat/satin black I was going to use a satin clear.

Not looking to make a huge project out of it, I just want to tape and paper the area, spray the handles 2 or 3 coats and finish.

If you can find Plasti-coat (used to buy it at the Zone) it's very durable paint, but not sure I've seen clears readily available.

[Robert]

They do make a trim paint that is the color of most of the flat black trim pieces on cars. But the handles will rub off any clear coat or paint. Of course you could remove the handles and have them powder coated. That would hold up but Im not sure if there is a flat black.

The trim paint is easy quick and can be redone easily. I have done it and it looks good.

[Jess from VA]

The pot metal passenger door handle broke off my Lincoln.

I didn't care, I never used that door, and it made car jacking more difficult.

It failed the annual safety inspection though.  My argument that it actually made the car safer for me fell on deaf ears.

I ordered a new one, and you'd think at that price it would come painted, but it didn't.

I went in an auto parts store and picked the color that was closest to the car, and rattle canned it.

It looked OK from across the street.   

[da prez]

 Buy replacements and get what you want and do not paint a worn out handle.

                                  da prez