Thanks D... I just don't think the LT handles will look right on my truck considering that there is little to no chrome on the truck. Thus, the LT handles are probably a silly buy for me.

Maybe I'll do the tailgate latch as a 'starter' to learn the process. The only reason I was going to take it off of the truck was so that I can shut my garage... nothing more. I'd hate to take the handle off and then have to shut the tailgate... I have a feeling I'd have to engineer something to reopen the gate.

Thanks for the help man. I do appreciate it.

 

The tailgate handle has begun. So far so good but, I'm afraid I may have slight 'scratches' left behind from 250 grit. 600 just wasn't doing it for me fast enough. I'll lay the paint on a bit thicker in an effort to conceal the impatience. Maybe it'll work, maybe not. Only one way to find out. I'll post pics once complete.

After sanding that handle, I'm DEFINITELY going to buy the LT handles and remove the handle for painting. The bucket on the tailgate handle, alone, was a beast. I can't even imagine the door handles.

Thanks again DZ...

RP

 

I'm a little surprised to hear this. I would have that that you had a little more patience when it comes to the finish of the truck.

 

That That? I would have thought you would have taken a moment to proof your post prior to posting... LMAO... It's okay J-150... have a 'ough' and subtract the 'a'.

None the less, that was after the first coat of paint. After three coats, the scuffs (three of them) that were noticeable (yeah, I'm a bit particular and called it all bad based on three scuffs in the plastic) have vanished. I'm on the third coat as we speak and it's nearly flawless. I'm going to let it dry for another hour or so and then I'm going to clear... Should be ready for mounting very early in the day tomorrow if all goes as planned.

250 grit **IS** the way to go pending you step it back down.

I went 250, 600, 800, 1500. The 250 really takes the texture off in rapid fashion. Follow it with the lighter cuts and it smooths out like a baby's bottom! There's only one spot (within the bucket of the handle) that I didn't sand well enough and you'll really have to look for it to find it. Other than that, it looks VERY good.

RP

 

Only here will a Mod pick on you like a red-headed step brother!




And I will leave my original post unedited, just to acknowledge my impatience when I type! (its a bad habit)

 

LOL... I do the same thing man but, I do it more on a level that I don't fully read the post before I respond... so, my response ends up looking like some off the wall observation/bit of advice that pertains, in no way shape or form, to the original post.

Forum behavior. None of us understand it totally.

RP

 

By the way... my handle is on the truck. Looks pretty good but, I need to polish it very slightly as there is a 'smear' visible that I'm not able to remove with QD... not sure how it happend but, once everything has set up well and such, I'll hit it with a light polish and I should be able to take it out. We'll see...

It's not as stunning on a black truck but, in my eyes, it looks 10X better than the black plastic. In fact, if I don't point it out to someone, I doubt anyone would notice it.

I'll have some pictures later today or tomorrow...

All in all, a VERY easy mod but, the sanding could be a monster on a door handle from an 04/05. Not sure I'm going to try that one out...

RP

 

I would put it up there with tire dressing and cleaning the wheel wells... the total truck appearance becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

 

Hopefully...

It's certainly not as stunning as looking at black handles on a white truck and then seeing them all white.... far from it in fact.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad I did it. I'll be able to wax them now (in about a month or so) and won't have to worry about keeping polish and such off of them but, it just doesn't stand out.

But, like you said, it's the details that really make the difference. For that reason, I'll continue forward with my handles (probably buying LT handles and using my stock handles with the LT buckets) to complete the look. To me, it'll be worth it...

Hopefully I'll have time to pull my side views off as well and have them done bay a shop to totally complete it...

RP

 

Glad to hear it came out pretty good for you! And know you know what I was talking about with the sanding and the push to the LT handles...

Can't wait to see the pics man..

 

Tony

 

Touché


Pictures forthcoming.

 

As promised, and propositioned....







RP

 

Very nice. I like the Hulk-like calves too..

So after the tailgate, aren't you just clammering to get to the other 4?! hee hee..

 

Smartarse... LOL!

That's 20 years of soccer baby... I still referee so, count those years and it's more like 24 years total (been refereeing for 14 years)...

Thanks for the kudos and, again, for the help.

RP