Hillmandj's guide to repairing interior door handles (Pics)

[hillmandj]

I decided to redo my interior door handles as they were looking really shabby as you can see from the picture.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1589/photo0758.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0758.jpg)

First remove the top part by inserting a screwdriver behind the plastic trim and carefully twisting/ levering until the clips pop out (if you move the screwdriver around the plastic trim you can feel where they are- this way you wont snap any!!)
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8958/photo0759.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0759.jpg)

once clips are all pooped out you can get your fingers behind and wiggle/ slide out, also you need to have the door handle pulled out to remove the top one.
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3428/photo0760.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0760.jpg)

Now do exactly the same on the bottom part of the trim, be a little more careful, as this one is a little harder to remove without snapping the clips, (if you happen to brake one it shouldn't really matter to much so long as you don't brake too many!!)
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8536/photo0761.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0761.jpg)

Now, removing the electric switches, This is really simple, just insert a small flat screwdriver down one side and sort of move outwards until you feel the switch click out of place, then just pull out.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7352/photo0764.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0764.jpg)


Now its time to remove all of the horrible rubber coating, i removed mine by using fairlly rough sandpaper, its quite an annoying long job. Once all of this is removed you need to keep sanding until the plastic is smooth and there is no rubber and no scratch's in the plastic. (I spent about 2 hours sanding, the more effort you put in here, the better the finished job will look- so dont rush) Finishing with some wet/ dry.
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9579/photo0767.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0767.jpg)

Once completlly sanded down, give a quick wash with warm water and dry off with clean cloth, now ready for paint. You can undercoat if you like, i never bothered with undercoat, i just put a nice few coats of paint direct( i used Matt black)

The painted product!
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3616/photo0773a.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0773a.jpg)

Now ready to put back in, firstly insert the switches, these just simply push back in.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1348/photo0775j.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0775j.jpg)

Then push the bottom part back in first, if you just line the plastic trim into position, then press down to push in all the clips, you can feel when they are all in.
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/4315/photo0776f.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0776f.jpg)

The finished project. I personally think these look so much better now, i wasnt sure about the been black but now ive done them i love them.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/834/photo0777x.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo0777x.jpg)

A really simple job, that makes so much different, the more time you spend sanding and painting the better the finish will be, just experiment if the paint only lasts a couple of month's then there's no harm in trying again, Try different paints or undercoats!

All you need:
Screwdriver (Flat)
Smaller screwdriver (Flat)
Sandpaper(Various inc wet/dry)
Undercoat (Optional)
Sparypaint (try differant ones) i just used ordinary one!!


Hope this help to people with same problems!

[kyle'87]

Top work mate!

[markmeus]

Nice guide, really makes the interior look a lot less shabby

[kyle'87]

Think ill do this when I change my window switches to white

[hillmandj]

thanks guys.....

You doing some colour coding or just your window switches?

[danielc16]

looks good need to do mine when i get time

[turbo009]

Nice work,looks good! Need to do mine too when get time

[sparkie1984]

ive not long done mine but i cheated and bought new ones from seat lol

top job dude very nice :)

[Dan1.6]

very very nice guide mate

[AlexGSi2000]

Good guide mate, may do mine, which paint did you use? The finish looks great.

[SeanyK]

Good guide!

I bought new handles / handle inners from the dealership, but they turned up scratched a bit (even though they were sealed new and everything!) - waited so long for them I couldn't be bothered to take them back!

Literally, I think you only have to look at those handles and they scratch - good job yours will last MUCH longer than the ones that come stock.

(You should get people to send their handles etc to you, do the same job you done on yours - I know i'd pay!)

[sirjimalot]

TIP: Use thinners to remove all the rubbery coating, literally takes minutes. then prep for paint,but dont use to much cause it makes the plastic soft!

[kyle'87]

thanks guys.....

You doing some colour coding or just your window switches?

Just the window switches LED mate, Im working on a tutorial to do most of the interior led changes

[hillmandj]

Just the window switches LED mate, Im working on a tutorial to do most of the interior led changes

Ahhh, this will be good, ill keep an eye out for this, i bet it will look well nice after there all done.

[Razor]

As previously said, any particular spray to use for paint ?

[Razor]

Had a go at this today.
Turned out ok quality wise, however I accidentially cracked my drivers side plastic

:(


DooooHH !!


Will try get a few pics up later

[hillmandj]

ahhh quality mate... glad it turned out out... makes so much difference dont ya think??? unlucky about cracking the plastic.... yeah make sure you get the pics up.... :)

[Martyn1989]

Cheers for the guide, I think I'll give this a go tomorrow.

I'll post some pictures up in a few days if all goes well.

[Martyn1989]

Pictures as promised...

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4476/img1614h.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9854/img1613r.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/1363/img1615z.jpg

I'm quite pleased with the outcome to be honest :)

[n15mgd]

have got to do this myself

[TwiZteD]

Will try this out when my car is driveable again :)
Thanks alot

// TwiZteD

[justagirl]

Have to say I love the person who did this! Had my ibiza since wednesday and the door handles were completely doing my head in.. although after messing up a LOT of the paint work on my old car didnt really want to try anything but now they look soooo much better! Although thinking of changing them to blue as i want black/blue interior to match the blue outside! but yes.. thanks!

[Razor]

Watch you dont snap them girl like me !!

[alexbradford]

I'm deffo trying this at the weekend, handles have been doing my head in, will post before and after pics when im finished

[tuffers99]

A job I have been putting off. After seeing the results will have to get it done asap

[cupra-gaz]

great guide mate, was wonderin how to go about attacking those handles as its the only part of the interior that lets it down, think i may go blue aswell, ill ad pics wen done

[E30 sam]

Just in the process of doing this to mine, i'll put some pics up when i've finished.

[mali00]

nice
i must do this ;)

[E30 sam]

Here's mine before and after.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s298/E30SAM/IMG_1853.jpg



http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s298/E30SAM/IMG_1854.jpg


http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s298/E30SAM/IMG_1857.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s298/E30SAM/IMG_1858.jpg

[D17KSN]

Ill also be doing this. Looks so much better and costs next to nothing.

Cheers

[seat-ollie]

Mine are really bad also. Will definately be trying this out at the weekend also!

Thanks for the guide!!

[robham]

i am well chuffed i found this, cos i myself need to to mine, on another note, how much are they each from a main dealer, any ideas..

thanks
great tutorial aswell btw, top job

[James.Greaves04]

Anyone know where i can buy replacements of these?

[LewisLeon]

If you want to buy replacements, try a dealer. Pretty sure they won't be cheap though. Just had a look on ebay and couldn't find anything either...

I've just done mine in Platinum, looks really smart. Really good guide, wouldn't have thought of doing it otherwise. Thanks!

[LewisLeon]

Time for some (poor) pics...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s315/Lewis-1991/DSC00948.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s315/Lewis-1991/DSC00947.jpg

Pretty happy with how it came out.

[Pat_Man]

I wish I had joined this site a few days ago... I sat there with a 1p coin scratching it off for about 45 minutes! Still happy with the outcome though. It was just a much harder way of doing it. Looks good.

My interior door lever is peeling on the passenger side too... Its not all that noticable, but I know it's there and it's driving me crazy.. Any tips?

[hammaye19]

im in the middle of doin it now. proper good guide mate!

[EViS]

Following in everyone's footsteps, have done mine with some Plasti-Kote primer and satin black top-coat I had lying around in the workshop. Very chuffed with the end result!

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/1967/p1010534r.th.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/p1010534r.jpg/) http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/7408/p1010535.th.jpg (http://img805.imageshack.us/i/p1010535.jpg/) http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6131/p1010536o.th.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/p1010536o.jpg/) http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7757/p1010537x.th.jpg (http://img718.imageshack.us/i/p1010537x.jpg/) http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/534/p1010538g.th.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/p1010538g.jpg/)

[BlakeH]

Could anyone tell me the part number for these, as I just broke one in half by sitting on it. I have used search but no luck

[hillmandj]

Thank you all for the positive feedback. Im glad this has helped people out. A quick, easy and cheap job that makes alot of difference. :D

Have to say I love the person who did this!

SCHWEEEEEET :rolleyes:

[ilikefatgirls]

What paint is favourite for this? Particular brand or type?

Satin black looks 'mazin

[crisrik]

mine are silver ..just like the car.. (S7N) code.. :-p

[alcot33uk]

All,

How do I add my photos to this please?

Thanks

Alex

[P1N3R]

All,

How do I add my photos to this please?

Thanks

Alex

You can click 'Go Advanced' at the bottom of the Quick Reply box and click the little picture icon. Go to TinyPic and upload your image, if you haven't already, and copy the image link in to the pop-up box.

Thanks for the guide, I'm really wanting to do this but I've got electric mirrors - has anyone got any great ideas for what do for the plate behind the adjuster? The picture of the mirrors shine through the plastic and if painted, it would be covered up?

[alcot33uk]

AH!! It says that I cant add pictures for some reason.....

[P1N3R]

What reason does it say?

[crisrik]

maybe not enough posts..

[P1N3R]

I thought it was 15 posts to put pictures up?

[alcot33uk]

How do I see how many posts I have submitted?

[crisrik]

it is rught under you're name .. 18 posts..

[alcot33uk]

Thanks Cris, that will have been the Stella asking that stupid question...

[alcot33uk]

All, not sure how many posts I have to have posted before I can post piccies... Therefore can anyone give me their e-mail address so they can post them for me? Thanks!

[shaneyibizamk3]

Really helpful Guide mine are the same both drivers side and passenger side door handles are a mess after reading this went to Halfords and got myself some Smooth Silver Hammerite gunna sand them down and spray them on the weekend may even do the engine cover too will upload pics once done!

[suukmiideek]

Nice guide ! deff need to do mine this weekend now ive seen some of the results !

[crisrik]

pics guys..!! :-)

[DanielFaith]

My cars the vibe red, do u think it would look tacky if i did the door handles red?/
also iv no speaker covers as my mates wrecked them ****in about in me car.. ne ideas on how to cover the holes up??

[crisrik]

My cars the vibe red, do u think it would look tacky if i did the door handles red?/
also iv no speaker covers as my mates wrecked them ****in about in me car.. ne ideas on how to cover the holes up??

you can order the speaker covers from a stealer andyou can put them roght back.
you will need to take off the door covers

[DanielFaith]

i went to the dealer and they will only sell me the complete door cards..
i am considering making a cover out of mdf or aluminium and spraying the whole door card red..
wot do you think??

[crisrik]

i can search for the ordering code..

[crisrik]

it sais... not replacement part..
you can only order the full interior

[j.barnett]

Carb cleaner works well on removing that rubber finish!!
Did mine satin black just standard satin spray halfords... Nice finish

[vwnutant]

Just got the mrs one of these cars and looks a common thing ! think ill get the paint and sandpaper out asap

[Jotag]

such an easy way to make the car look better

quick and easy defo worth doing this. :D

[slipery samon]

cheers mate i was looking into how to do this the other day. very clear intructions thanks very much going to do this with myn tomorrow

[danielc16]

mine i done:
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6926/16797848915022580751055.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/16797848915022580751055.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[J85Ibiza]

Great guide, improves the interior finish no end!

[cuprapowerpaul]

pics of mine in black
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh170/paulhast039/b61fc31c.jpg

[ibiza_chick_emz]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s315/Lewis-1991/DSC00948.jpg


colour works well i like simple changes! ;)