If I were you I would go to a wrecking yard & find a wrecked truck , get the tailgate buy the handle from it then take it to your local body shop and have them do it. I know it will work because I had a friend who had chrome mirrors & chrome grill painted to match his truck.I hope this helps ...........................LARIAT1

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Red/Silver LARIAT, 3Dr.SC,Flareside 4x4 ORP,Tow Pack.,Graphite Interior,60/40 Bench Seat W/Power Driver Seat,6 Disc Changer & Cass player,Tilt Wheel, Crus. Control,AC,Rear Sliding Glass,Power Windows & Door Locks,A.R.E Fg. Bedcover,Zie-Bart Total Paint & Under Coating Protection W/Sound Deadener ,3.55LS,4.6L,Auto,Spiltfire Platinum 3 Sparkplugs,New Motorcraft Drive Belt,K&N Airfilter W/Mod.Factory Airbox,Tornado Air Man.,WMS Velocity Tube,Custom Dual Exhaust W/20`` Chrome Tips,AVS Window Shades & Door Sills & Tail Lite Slots,GTS Carbon Fiber Headlite Covers,FORD 2-Piece Bra, Tinted Windows, Pendaliner Tailgate(Inner)Cover,Ford Security System W/Motion Alarm,Fog Lights, Foglites Works W/Brites On, FORD #1 TRUCK Under Glass On Front Bumper,Custom Ford Oval Red Decals,A/TS Goodyear Tires,Perfomance Fiction Carbon Metallic Disc Brake Pads, Owens Fg. Step Boards,55 Watt (Replacement) Backup Lites,Pilot 55 Watt Back up Lites On Hitch Under Truck. This is LARIAT 1... IN The Great State Of Indiana..........http://hometown.aol.com/terrylariat1...page/auto.html

 

I painted mine myself about 6 months ago. First you need to remove it and sand it smooth so it will match the tailgate. I put two coats of primer on the handle first and then 3 or 4 coats of color. The main thing is make sure you allow the primer and paint to dry between coats.

Oh yeah, to remove the handle, just remove the access panel on the other side of the tailgate. There are two nuts that hold it in place, also a clip that goes around the lock. Be careful as you remove the nuts and clip so that it doesn't fall out and scratch your paint! Mine still matches perfectly after 6 months. Good luck.

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

Oops



[This message has been edited by Frank S (edited 01-08-2000).]

 

MJ, This was covered quite extensively a while back. Do a search for it. It is very easy to do, just prepare the surface properly. Did mine last spring, and all is well.

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Michael
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package

Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil

Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle, A/C on/off switch

 

Accidental double post.


[This message has been edited by mkrieger (edited 01-09-2000).]

 

Hase anyone tried painting the black plastic tailgate handle? I was thinking of taking it to a body shop to have it done, but I'm concerned about fading and/or the paint not adhering. Just wondering if anyone has tried it and how successful they were.

Thanks,
MJ

 

Test

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Painted Tailgate Handle, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.




[This message has been edited by Frank S (edited 01-08-2000).]

 

Hey Guys~
Just curious if y'all have any idea of what a paint & body shop may charge to paint the tailgate handle . . .

***JaSoN***

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Oxford White 1998 F-150 STX, reg. cab, flareside, 4.2, auto, 3.55s, tint, Prestige alarm, Bel radar detector, Pioneer CD player, 4 Polk 5x7's, Stull billet grille and bumper insert, Flowmaster exhaust, K&N airfilter, V-Tech Tailight Covers(painted to match truck) Clear Corner Lenses, DJM shackles, Billet Oval Mirror GIG'EM AGGIES

 

No idea what a body shop would charge. Doubt if they would be able to charge any less than $30, or $40, do it yourself, it is aneasy job. I got a $4 can of Ford E4 (bright red) spray paint, sanded the handle smooth, then applied 2 good coats of primer, and 4 or 5 thin coats of red, used a fine steel wool between coats , and it matches prfect. I wore clean vinyl gloves when ever handling the handle to avoid contaminating it, to be sure the paint would adhere properly.

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Michael
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package

Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil

Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle, A/C on/off switch

 

mkrieger~
thanks for the info!! i think i'm going to go ahead and do it myself this weekend . . .

***JaSoN***

 

Those of you who painted your handle yourselves...

1)
How did you find paint to match. My truck is the factory silver color and I'm concerned about matching. It doesn't have to be perfect, but I don't want it to look like it doesn't belong either.

2)
How did you get the finish to be glossy like the rest of the tailgate?

I want to do it myself, but I don't want to ruin my handle in the process. : )

Thanks for the input!

MJ

 

1. Go to an auto zone or advance auto parts and look up your paint color in the book that they should have on the shelf. If you can't find it ask one of the workers there. Make sure you tell them what year your truck is.

2. If you take your time and let each coat dry the gloss should be the same as the factory paint. If not just buy a can of clear gloss paint.(I keep a can around the house for such emergencies. )

 

MJ, Frank S right. Take your time and it will look great. I got a small can of paint at Wal-mart, these paints are readily available. If you don't know the color code I think it is on the door jam label.

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Michael
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package

Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil

Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle, A/C on/off switch