Painted handles

[Martin Roy]

Hi guys and girl, As I stated in earlier posts, I wanted to paint my door handles black as part of my "black & white" theme for the car. I will probably get it done professionnally next summer. Meanwhile, I decided to do a test to see what it would look like. So I removed the handles (too easy, one screw each) and didn't prime or sand. I used Krylon Fusion paint for plastic and some cheap clear coat. It actually sticked pretty well, but this won't last more than a year (it'll probably crack in the winter).

Anyhow, just wanted to show you what it looks like. More pictures next week as I install my new grille.

[RetiredTexans]

Have you considered powder coating them. This process works for metal only and is extremely durable as it is used on lawn furniture. A Dallas shop did beautiful work for us on a table and chairs and we could choose from almost 100 colors. The shop had exhibits showing their work on motoercycle cylinder heads, frames and forks, Also did numerous engine components. Color is baked on final step.

[ThirstyRoss]

I like the way they look!

[Martin Roy]

Have you considered powder coating them. This process works for metal only

The door handles are made of plastic, so powder coating is out of the question.

A Dallas shop did beautiful work

Hum... that's quite a ride from Trois-Rivières, Québec. Seriously, when time comes, I'll probably have to go to Montréal to find a good place. Paint shops around town ask for as much as 60$ (Can) per handle

[DegnaRed]

Looking good. I dig the black and white look.

[ace rothstein 81]

Looks very nice man. I wonder how something like that would look on mine.

[Martin Roy]

Ace, from what I've seen, we pretty much go for the same look. I also want to get the Stillen Spoiler. You can be sure it'll look good on yours too, and having tinted windows and dark wheels help. Anyway, just do a small Photoshopping to see if it's good enough for you.

[ThirstyRoss]

Martin, why not just order the door handles from Nissan, but for a black Versa. This could be expensive but it would be as nice looking as it could get!

[biggie]

Martin, why not just order the door handles from Nissan, but for a black Versa. This could be expensive but it would be as nice looking as it could get!

Or see if any Black Vs would want to trade.

[ace rothstein 81]

They probably wouldn't be quite as black, though.

[Ever Victorious]

Martin, why not just order the door handles from Nissan, but for a black Versa. This could be expensive but it would be as nice looking as it could get!

I just went to Courtesy Nissan's new visual catalog ordering system to confirm what I have suspected all along:

There is only ONE part number for each door handle. Thus, the come unpainted. Like all other factory body parts.

Your body shop paints them, if you're ever in an accident and need them replaced.

There is only ONE body part that you can order prepainted: the optional spoiler.

Anyway, Martin - I didn't think I would like it, but that actually looks very sharp! I look forward to the finished product when you have it done.

Also... if you can score a set of cheap door handles, I would suggest you call around to body shops (even if they're not in the same area) to see if you can ship them in and have them painted for a reasonable price. I have a really good body shop over here, and I don't think they'd try to gouge you for spraying a couple door handles.

[Martin Roy]

From all your suggested for a finished look, I already considered most of them:1- Paint shops around here charge to much. 2- A friend of mine has a black Versa, but she doesn't want to trade handles 3- Indeed, factory parts come unpainted, so getting it from the dealer isn't helping. 4- I haven't found a crippled Versa on the web or anywhere else to get black handles from. 5- Shipping is a good option if I find a cheaper paint shop, but not to the US since postage is always more expansive and duty taxes are rarely avoidable (I know the "gift" trick, but they charge anyway sometimes).

The only solution that hasn't been explored yet is right here... If anyone with a black Versa and some undamaged handles are interested by white handles, I'm ready to trade .

[Jiggyfry]

I love your Avatar, that was my favorite team growing up. Last place in the league FTMFW!!!!

[Martin Roy]

Wow, I just got some (I guess it's good) news ! I called my Nissan dealer, which is also a paint shop, and it turns out the door handles are worth 15$ (Can) each, so 60$ total. As for the painting, it adds up to 83$ total, making a grand total of 143,74 + tx to get a new set of painted black handles (That's about 130$US). It's even cheaper than getting them painted at a custom paint shop and I'm sure to get a professionnally looking finish.

But, the guy would have to order them straight from the factory and he doesn't know how long it would take. Even Montréal (the biggest city in a 500 miles radius) doesn't keep them in stock.

I probably looked like an idiot when the clerk asked me: "What happened (to the car)? Hum... I just want to change my handles...

(jiggy, you're probably the only english-speaking Canadian who liked the Nordiques and for that, I respect you)

[Jiggyfry]

(jiggy, you're probably the only english-speaking Canadian who liked the Nordiques and for that, I respect you)

Thanks man. I was raised in an english speaking family who loved the Nordiques. They had sooo much heart it wasnt funny. I miss 'em .

And good to see more Quebec people on here, woot woot!!! Im in the Montreal area if ever you're around here!!

[KimberKenobi]

Very classy!! I love it!

[ace rothstein 81]

Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny!!

I think Quebec City needs to be given the Nashville franchise.

[Martin Roy]

Very classy!! I love it!

Are we going to see red handles on the Sopwith Camel ?

[COVersaSL]

Just dont let them take back the Avalanche. I was thinking about rearranging the word VERSA on the back of my car to say AVS and put one of those chrome car emblems on there too.

[Jiggyfry]

Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny!!

I think Quebec City needs to be given the Nashville franchise.

This man is in the know!!!!!

[Martin Roy]

I was thinking about rearranging the word VERSA on the back of my car to say AVS and put one of those chrome car emblems on there too.

Since you have a Versa SL, you can rearrange the letters to write:SAVER or REVS or RASES or VASE or ... A S S

[ace rothstein 81]

Just dont let them take back the Avalanche. I was thinking about rearranging the word VERSA on the back of my car to say AVS and put one of those chrome car emblems on there too.

The Avs have awesome fans, so I don't think they'll be going anywhere anytime soon. They miss the playoffs again, though, and who knows what'll happen.

This man is in the know!!!!!

Haha, thanks. 24 teams in the US to 4 in Canada is crazy. The NHL should give the Preds, Panthers, and Caps to Canada. I hate to say that about Washington, but they have had terrible fans for a while. Even worse are the Devils... 3 cups in the last 12 tears and they can't even sell out playoff games.

[Jiggyfry]

The teams we have we're fighting to keep. Unfortunatly we are not able to bring in new teams for some odd reason. We have the damned fan base in Quebec and Ontario ALONE! What about the Maritimes? Halifax?

/thread jack

[Chrispd100]

I really like how that looks... can you post pictures on how to remove the handles?

[Martin Roy]

I really like how that looks... can you post pictures on how to remove the handles?

Check my cardomain profile (see the link, second page).

[electro]

Does anyone know if the Murano's chromed door handles would fit on the Versa?

[lain]

thats cool...i guess...I want to put chrome handles on my versa but everywhere I look its just a chrome cover over the old handles...i want them replaced completly. gah who wants to make me some?