how to: painting mirrors/door handles to match exterior? do it myself or pay for it? - Ford Ranger Forums

james13f · 03-13-2005

from staring at a pic of a truck exactly like mine for the last half hour i have decided that it would look pretty sweet if the side mirrors and door handle were the same red color. smooth things out for the eye. the question is:

how would i do this myself? how to prep? sand it down or just apply a good coat of primer? where to get matching (i'm a perfectionist, i mean matching ) paint? how to apply to look like the rest of the truck?

or...how much would it cost to get them sprayed at a local paint shop if i just brought them the handles and mirror assemblies? would I need to take the mirror out of the assembly, or just tape over it? how do i get the door handles off?

thanks a bunch

loneFX4 · 03-13-2005

first off take them off the truck and then rub them down with some rubbing alcohol or sumthing of the that sort. DO NOT USE ACETONE. then lightly sand them with a very high grit sand paper. then clean them with soap and water and wipe them down with wut you used the first time. then get your paint. id recomend wal-mart. in their automotive section they have many many color match paints. spray that on very lightly for a first coat. so light that you can hardly see it. then very lightly sand that coat and then start applying the paint a little at a time and waiting for the previous coat to become tacky before putting the next one on. after all that use some automotive clear coat that can be found in the same general area that you found your first paint. hope this helps and good luck.

my inside handle bezels and center bezel were painted and clear coated. can be seen on my cardomain site in my signature.

r0ng5 · 03-13-2005

yup, i agree, it works. Just take your time, it'll turn out great. I've painted my interior trims too, kinda like what loneFX4 said, except not the light coat.. I do'nt know. That sounds like a good idea kinda.. But yes, Take. Your. Time. And... get some pix when you're done with it!

PickupMan92 · 03-13-2005

If you go to a paintstore they can put the exact color of your truck in a spray can, might be around $9 per can but it's worth it to make it look nice, I beleive the colors are dupont or PPG.... all depends on your paint store...

TippnOver · 03-13-2005

a friend of mine went to the Ford dealer to have his Street Scene mirrors matched to his paint...they charged him around $300....

just take u're time and go slow with the paint...

james13f · 03-13-2005

will it be hard to match the "shinyness" of the factory paint? i guess kind of a trial and error with light coats of clearcoat until it looks right...how many cans?

SoundPer4mance · 03-13-2005

wet sanding is your friend

LILBLUE04FX4L2 · 03-13-2005

I think our door handles are riveted on, which will complicate matters but not make it impossible