Polishing Door Handles

[VKCOMMO]

Afternoon all

Ive recently got myself a set of VR Statesman metal door handles, and im looking at polishing the bit that you actually lift..

Just wondering where people think I should start with it (sandpaper wise)? Ive got access to a linisher, so I can use that to strip the paint, but then I dont know where to start with paper, and what to finish it with (like brasso or something?)

As far as I can tell, these are alloy, but dont quote me on this

VKC

[ari666]

if they are alloy start with 600, then 800, then 1000, then 2000 then autosol. you may feel 1 of the stages unnecessary, but if you skip a stage you wont get as good a result.

[VKCOMMO]

if they are alloy start with 600, then 800, then 1000, then 2000 then autosol. you may feel 1 of the stages unnecessary, but if you skip a stage you wont get as good a result.

By the looks of it they are.. What if they're not?

is the 600 the start, or after I strip on a linisher?

[VKCOMMO]

Just stripped the paint on one using the gel paint stripper from diggers, Now sanding from 400-1200, and if I need to ill try to find somewhere that sells 2000, then going to buff it on a bench buffer and clear over.

Ari, they are cast alloy

[ari666]

going from 1200 to buff wont get them completely shiny. you need to at least go to 1500. 2000 works best. but having said that, the only difference is that will be be slightly more matte, and since its a door handle, it wont stay shiny very long.

also i doubt clear will stick to polished alloy. itll prolly peel off.

edit* soooo, try 400 then clear over it. it may just save you a few hours and itll give the clear something to stick to.

[VKCOMMO]

going from 1200 to buff wont get them completely shiny. you need to at least go to 1500. 2000 works best. but having said that, the only difference is that will be be slightly more matte, and since its a door handle, it wont stay shiny very long.

also i doubt clear will stick to polished alloy. itll prolly peel off.

edit* soooo, try 400 then clear over it. it may just save you a few hours and itll give the clear something to stick to.

My painter reckons itll stick, but we'll see.. It wont take too long as im using paper on a drill

[VKCOMMO]

Did 2 of them today, going to machine buff them tomorrow, then clear them..

Pics dont do them justice..

[JustDylan]

Came up pretty good, you could always send them off for chrome plating later down the line.

[VKCOMMO]

Came up pretty good, you could always send them off for chrome plating later down the line.

Thanks. That was the plan originally, but I thought id try this first and see where it got me.. I only wasted $20 if I failed anyway..

[VKCOMMO]

Heres the finished product (before clear).. Turned out really well, mirrored finish.. 400, 600, 800 & 1200 grit sand, then a dry machine buff for about 5 mins..

[SP00KSTER]

keen on doing this my self after seeing a vy wagon with chrome handles, would love to see some pics with them on the car mate... good job.

[vsl67]

removed due to trolls

[VKCOMMO]

keen on doing this my self after seeing a vy wagon with chrome handles, would love to see some pics with them on the car mate... good job.

Ill make sure to put some up when they're on

Mate I polished a set a a couple of years ago they will stain & tarnish off quickly and chrome plating them properly is too expensive as they are diecast also they dont seem too weather too well ,but Hpc might be an alternative

Even after clearing?

[vsl67]

removed due to trolls

[VKCOMMO]

I couldnt get get a decent clear coat to stick that was going to wear well but now you mention it I think hpc has a clear coat that they use on internal engine parts that night be worth a shot

Ill take a look into it.. Worst come to the worst I strip the 2K clear off and sent it for chroming..

[vsl67]

If you find a way of doing it let me know Ive be keen do a set for the stato

[GTS-Replica]

looks like billet i want some.

[304runner]

Looks trick!

Might give my set a go

[VKCOMMO]

If you find a way of doing it let me know Ive be keen do a set for the stato

Ill let you know how my painter goes...

[SP00KSTER]

VK you should have gone with a POR clear paint, specifically designed for polished alloys
Clearcoats - Por-15 retailers, clear coat protectant, rust preventive paint, fuel tank sealer

[SP00KSTER]

righto, i gave this ago myself, didn't have any paint stripper or anything similar around so i just sanded back the paint with 120, then used 280-400-1200 and hit it on the buffing wheel on the grinder, it came out like crome have a look for your self. yet to do the other side but was thinking about doing the backing plate to the handle as well as the passenger side paint has peeled off what do you think???

[VKCOMMO]

How long did that clear last? if I head down to the painters tomorrow and he hasnt started (I can almost assure you he hasnt.. Its a custom & resto shop, so he does my stuff cheap as long as I dont care when its done) I might recommend that to him..

[SP00KSTER]

it hasn't got any clear on it i just buffed them up on the grinder and then put a polish over the top that is like a waxy film to hope fully stop the tarnishing, if it starts to tarnish then i might give that POR stuff a go.

[VKCOMMO]

How long did the polish last? Or did you just do this a day or 2 ago?

[SP00KSTER]

just done it this arvo, ill give you a heads up on how well it goes but at the moment it looks like it should be alright as long as i dont wash the film off when i wash the car. i was thinking of getting them chromed when we send in the parts for the monaro just so i dont have to worry about tarnishing.