Chroming outer door handles
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Chroming outer door handles
Anyone ever done this?
I have a post in the forsale forum looking for door handles (and I'd prefer chrome). If I buy an extra set of stock handles, could they be chrome plated?
Today, my bodyshop manager said he thought the handles were plastic though the hinges were metal. Two responders to my WTB request said they were metal but I haven't confirmed (or asked for pics).
Please let me know if they are solid metal (under the black coating) and if they could be heavy plated like a 50's bumper. I know plastic can also be plated, but that wouldn't last on a handle.
I have a post in the forsale forum looking for door handles (and I'd prefer chrome). If I buy an extra set of stock handles, could they be chrome plated?
Today, my bodyshop manager said he thought the handles were plastic though the hinges were metal. Two responders to my WTB request said they were metal but I haven't confirmed (or asked for pics).
Please let me know if they are solid metal (under the black coating) and if they could be heavy plated like a 50's bumper. I know plastic can also be plated, but that wouldn't last on a handle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,140
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
They are metal....
I took the chrome ones off and had new ones painted black..
.. I might have a part number in my great big pile of receipts in the garage... I'll take a look here in a few 
I took the chrome ones off and had new ones painted black..
.. I might have a part number in my great big pile of receipts in the garage... I'll take a look here in a few
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,140
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
No go on the part number....... the handles weren't even on any of my receipts.
But they are metal... I remember my painter talking about scuffing them up real good in order to paint them
I still have the old ones.... one of them is broken though
But they are metal... I remember my painter talking about scuffing them up real good in order to paint them
I still have the old ones.... one of them is broken though
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Powerdrive
They are metal....
I took the chrome ones off and had new ones painted black.. .. I might have a part number in my great big pile of receipts in the garage... I'll take a look here in a few
I took the chrome ones off and had new ones painted black..
.. I might have a part number in my great big pile of receipts in the garage... I'll take a look here in a few Last edited by GREGGPENN; Mar 14, 2006 at 12:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Redeasysport
C4door makes a stick on cover for the handles in crome.I think Eklers sells them.
Couldn't find anything else in a websearch.
Le Mans Master
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Toronto ONTARIO
Originally Posted by kopbet89c4
Wer you get dem chrome dow handles at to keep it rollin' wit da gangstaz??? 
I didn't see no chrome der man!!! What about the gold teef?? J/K...
I didn't see no chrome der man!!! What about the gold teef?? J/K...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,140
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
While I agree on no chrome door handles, I dont see where he asked for anyones opinon.... So if the peanut gallery could STFU, I think this thread will be an easier read for all of us.... 
gregg I cant really describe where its broke... I 'll take a pic when I get home from work... providing I can find the digi camera, which I haven't seen in awhile
Ed is right I know my painter put some labor into getting them good and smooth
gregg I cant really describe where its broke... I 'll take a pic when I get home from work... providing I can find the digi camera, which I haven't seen in awhile
Ed is right I know my painter put some labor into getting them good and smooth
Last edited by Powerdrive; Mar 14, 2006 at 12:36 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Powerdrive
While I agree on no chrome door handles, I dont see where he asked for anyones opinon.... So if the peanut gallery could STFU, I think this thread will be an easier read for all of us....
This forum is to discover how to do something. Period.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
as for the chrome handles... on a dark coloured car, they look SWEET.
I would love to have a set on my polo green 92.
I changed out the front and rear black emblems for 93 anniversary chrome, and the little bit of bright really lightened the car up.
I would think the pig metal would chrome up ok. just find a good chrome shop to plate them.
I would love to have a set on my polo green 92.
I changed out the front and rear black emblems for 93 anniversary chrome, and the little bit of bright really lightened the car up.
I would think the pig metal would chrome up ok. just find a good chrome shop to plate them.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by bogus
as for the chrome handles... on a dark coloured car, they look SWEET.
I would love to have a set on my polo green 92.
I changed out the front and rear black emblems for 93 anniversary chrome, and the little bit of bright really lightened the car up.
I would think the pig metal would chrome up ok. just find a good chrome shop to plate them.
I would love to have a set on my polo green 92.
I changed out the front and rear black emblems for 93 anniversary chrome, and the little bit of bright really lightened the car up.
I would think the pig metal would chrome up ok. just find a good chrome shop to plate them.
Please tell me more about the handle construction. Are the handles primarily "pot metal" with a thin, black plastic/polymer coating of some sort? How difficult would it be to remove this layer to prep the handles for chroming? Would there be issues with the lock itself and can it be separated from the mechanism?
I'd probably buy an extra set and get that process started -- provided I know it can be successfully accomplished. I'd probably also have my current handles painted to match the car -- in case I did get tired of the chrome version.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,140
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
sorry, no pics I have no clue as to where the hell the digi is. I've looked all over....... and unfortunatly I can't remember what the heck my new ones looked like when I received them... It has been almost 3 years and they came with alot of other parts......
The one is broke where the part you lift up on goes up into the door... instead of nice even resistance it just flops around.... It was still attached on one side so you had to lift on that side to open the door
The one is broke where the part you lift up on goes up into the door... instead of nice even resistance it just flops around.... It was still attached on one side so you had to lift on that side to open the door
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by Powerdrive
While I agree on no chrome door handles, I dont see where he asked for anyones opinon.... So if the peanut gallery could STFU, I think this thread will be an easier read for all of us....
gregg I cant really describe where its broke... I 'll take a pic when I get home from work... providing I can find the digi camera, which I haven't seen in awhile
Ed is right I know my painter put some labor into getting them good and smooth
gregg I cant really describe where its broke... I 'll take a pic when I get home from work... providing I can find the digi camera, which I haven't seen in awhile
Ed is right I know my painter put some labor into getting them good and smooth
Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
I agree. Opinions are for the general discussion forum. I am not interested in anyone's opinion on the LOOKS of this mod. If you think it degrades YOUR car if I put something on MINE, T.S. Get over it!
This forum is to discover how to do something. Period.
This forum is to discover how to do something. Period.
But HTF is this in tech and performance?
Internal Engine | External Engine | Tech Topics Only | Performance Results
Chrome improves performance how?
MIke
Last edited by aboatguy; Mar 14, 2006 at 09:50 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by aboatguy
But HTF is this in tech and performance?
There are many topics more appropriate for tech than general discussion -- especially those where opinions aren't required, but "know-how" is. My take is that's why tech topics is included in the list you provided. Any r/r procedure seems more appropriate here for example.
I think you're just trying to make waves....
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Mar 14, 2006 at 10:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
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From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
The handles on my 89 were painted black at the factory. However, the paint was flaking off and I attemped to spray paint them and then they looked like crap . I had a friend powdercoat them in black and they look brand new after two years. I believe a good powder coating facility can put on a coating that rivals chrome in luster and it lasts.
SAM
. I had a friend powdercoat them in black and they look brand new after two years. I believe a good powder coating facility can put on a coating that rivals chrome in luster and it lasts.SAM