Hey my fellow W124 owners!

Last weekend I started the latest mod on my 300E. I decided that the chrome trimmed and black plastic door handles just didn't cut it anymore.

I painted them bodycolor and here is the item list and steps required if you want an easy DIY that makes a nice difference, ESPECIALLY on a lighter color car (ChrisDPham, E320newbie etc)

Supplies needed:

-1 can of flexible plastic primer

-1 can of bodycolor paint in a can (local bodyshop supply store should be able to colormatch and put it in a can for 10$ USD)

-1 can of clearcoat

-2 sheets of 1000 grit sandpaper

-Wide painters tape

-Masking paper

-Heated garage

-Time

Procedures:

Step 1:
Wash and dry car completely to get any dirt/salt/etc off the car and handles. This will also avoid scratches by rubbin the masking tape on dirt etc.

Step 2:
Mask off handles and the whole side of the car and put a drop cloth or poly drop over the rest of the car. Overspray is a Beeatch and clearcoat flies like crazy

Step 3: Sand the handles well, including the back side of it where your fingers reach around.

Step 4:
Spray your first coat of primer, holing the can at least 12 inches from the handle, spray in horizontal strokes, starting to spray before the handle, crossing it, then releasing the nozzle after the handle. (i'll explain better if you need it) Once the primer has flashed (dry but still tacky) spray a second coat (and third if you want)

Let the final coat dry at least an hour

Step 5:
Spray your paint in the same method as the primer, flashing and applying a second and third coat

Step 6:
Spray the clear coat in the same method as the others except get closer and apply it a bit thicker. You will need 4 coats at least to get the clear shine to mimic your car paint.

Step 7:
Once the paint has dried (if possible do the mod in the evening to let dry overnight covered preventing dust to settle) remove the tape and enjoy!

Wait a day or so to wash the car again.

Pics:

Factory:




Painted:





(This pic has no drips, it's some weird reflection)




2 down, 2 to go!

If you are so inclined and are able to fill the handles so that the chrome strip outline is no longer visible, then by all means do it, I think it would look even better. I will do that when I have time.

Hope that helps and gives you some easy DIY motivation, let me know what you think!

 

Hey I like it.........good mod.


Brian

 

Great job........
New motto:"Zorro has no space for chrom". LOL

 

Wouldn't the early model (1986-1989) door handles be a better candidate for painting? They don't have the chrome strip, so you may not run into problems in the long run, with the paint adhering.

 

Hey Zorro, nice job on the door handles

I had my door handles painted as well to match the body color, what a visual difference it makes....

D

 

**** i might have to do that zorro

 

Aaron,

Yes, the older handles would definitely be a better candidate but only because of the lack of chrome. Plastic is plastic and the paint will adhere the same on both of them

e320newbie, it would look great on a silver car. You should do it for sure!

Thanks for the comments guys!

 

you know the handles can be easily removed in less than 5 minutes right?

There is a little hole on the inside of the door jamb perpendicular to the handle.

Inside there is an allen bolt. you loosen the bolt, put the key in the door handle and twist the key to release the key from the lock actuator.

Then once that is loosened and almost out, you carefully pry off the plate witht he white wire, and remove the unit.

Then you can easily slide the door handle towards the hole where the lock was in and it should pop out quick simple and easy.

I did the same thing with my handles, only I removed the chrome trim and used black vinyl on the trim but painted the handles.

Either way it works great, I don;t suggest pulling the chrome trim out of the handle though, it is a major Pain int he *** to get back in.

Installation is the reverse, and you don;t have to go to the trouble of masking off half the car.

AshMan

 

That's why I love MBWorld!, I didn't know that, thanks Alon!

I still have to do the passenger side handles, I'll try the removal process. Are there any odd adjustments i'll have to make to get the handles working again?

 

no nothing major, just don;t over tighten the allen screw. too tight and it will push the lock mechanism too close to the handle.

And be careful with the wire attached tot he lock cylynder. that arms the factory alarm, and sends the signal for the window roll ups. you don;t want to break it off the lock so pry it off carefully. also there isn;t much cable to work with, so you can;t pull it out very far. try to not lose it in the door, I would use the tape and tape it to where you can get to it.

This is also a great time to clean the doors paint behind the handle where wax could have gotten lodged over the years.

AshMan

 

Alon,

The front doors of my sedan have the plugs and allen bolts you mentioned but the back doors don't. Seeing as you have a coupe, a long shot is do you know how the back door handles are removed?

Any help would be great!

 

Here ya go....



or go here to download the file:

http://216.218.211.187/~ashman/manual/72-241.pdf

AshMan

 

Wow, thanks Alon, I appreciate you uploading it for me, that'll help!

Do you have the front easily available to upload, sorry to be a P.I.T.A.

 

Here ya go....

http://216.218.211.187/~ashman/manual/72-240.pdf

AshMan

 

cool!