http://truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpa...handlekits.htm

Thinking about getting them and truckaddons will paint them to match before they send to me where all I have to do is stick on the over lays on the mirror and handles, think it will work?


how good do they fit??

Anybody tried them?

I like the clean painted look but don't want to have to take them off, sand, paint, and reinstall.

 

I've kicked this one around too Craig.... great post. I'll be watching this one.

RP

 

can you paint over chrome??

 

To my knowledge these PUTCO handles are made from ABS plastic. You should be able to remove the chrome from the plastic with oven-cleaner. Then sand, prime, and paint them to match your truck and install. Can't imagine how they will hold up over time but it might be worth a try. I think that match-painted mirror covers would look great.

Ox.

 

I'm 99.9% sure what Ox said is correct... basically, you're only dealing with a chrome paint; not true chrome.

Anyone with the Putco covers --- how's the fit? Does it go back 'behind' the handle such that none of the OEM handle is visible? How's the quality and fit? 3M sticky tape attached I take it?

 

truckaddons and truckxpressions is bogus, I wouldn't deal w/ them if I had other options. I couldn't ever get any customer service out of them and sent emails twice over a span of 2 mths about some questions on mods.......no replies. truckaddons site doesn't even halfway work when you try to contact them. truckxpressions site is kinda nice. Both charge about $13+ shipping for a set of putco's. I used both of those sites as leverage to get a cheaper price on someone else's site. Just put all the things together on your shopping cart w/ either of those sites, get a total on shipping (which is cheaper w/ your entire order if there are no oversize charges), and print off that page of prices and call someone else up who will price match. Plus both of those sites charge large restocking fees if you have to send it back and you will be paying to ship it back regardless of whose fault it is if anything is incorrect. I researched this crap for about the past 6 mths before I placed my order for some stuff recently.

 

Alrighty hig... not sure this is where you meant to place that testamonial but, none the less, thanks for playing...

 

I have the Putco covers. I have to say they do a very well job on the new F-150's because even the buckets go all the way back in. Ive seen alot of chevys and most you can see are still black plastic. As far as the handels themselves, they go all the way top and bottom to the back, as far as they can go so you cant see any handel. It takes a bit to get used to because its a different "feel" when opening the door. I cant say anything bad about them and the 3M sticky tape hasnt given me any problems in temps from 110*F to -20*F. I even hit them with our big powerwasher and no problems.

Since winter i have been traveling on the interstate where alot of salt gets on my truck. I ran it through the car wash the other day and the sides cleaned up nice. I did notice that the tailgate handel looked "corroded". I got all nervouse and started rubbing it and it was just surface crud. So i would say they are pretty good quality.

 

Look in OXLANDERS gallery to see fit/finish.... Yes they are taped on and the quality is good. Mine have been on for two years and look like new still.

 

Just did a write up on this earlier today. Look in this thread and you will see lots of pics and it may help answer your questions

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=222810

 

>Does it go back 'behind' the handle such that none of the OEM handle is visible?

They go back just as far as the factory plastic chrome covers on the Mark LT handles (they don't go all the way around either). The only advantage of the Mark LT handle covers is they are "flushed" on the handle and the edge where the chrome and black meet are "level" (no raised edge). The only slight negative I have seen with the Putco style is some of them can have a slightly rough edge where the cover ends on the inside of the handle, although you don't notice this with daily use (only if looking/feeling closely). I guess a file could fix this if you have some like that. Other than that it seems to be a high quality product as decribed by others here.

 

I'm bringing this post back up from the dead...

Has anyone in recent years tried Painting the Putco or any similiar chrome handle overlays and also chrome half-mirror skull caps? If so, how are they holding up?

My brother has a "Bright Red" XLT Scab and the Mark LT did not come in that color so he can't get the LT handles. So we're looking for another (cheaper) option than buying LT handles in another color and having them painted...

Thanks.