Outside door handle recommendations - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

drenwick · 01-11-2005, 03:56 AM

Bought new reproduction outside door handles a couple-few years ago and they are already pitting and looking cruddy. Is the only way around this to buy NOS genuine GM handles? If so, does anybody know where to get them for less than an arm and a leg?

Thanks!

Dan

bobs409 · 01-11-2005, 09:05 AM

Can't help on your question but wanted to say I feel your pain brother!

The repro's I bought started pitting 6 months after I bought them. One is real bad, the other not too bad.

GARBAGE!

Pot metal SUCKS! Not exactly related but I had 4 caps for my Chevelle rally wheels that have pot metal center caps and they too pitted after 6 months. Got those from Summit racing.

67ChevyRedneck · 01-11-2005, 09:10 AM

I had the same problem with LMC bumpers I bought. They didn't "pit" but I used "mothers" chrome polish on them when I bought them and they have still faded and peeled. They looked great for about 2 years.... If the PO hadn't twisted up the original front bumper I could have shined it up...and it's 30 some years old!

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 01-11-2005, 12:28 PM

NOS GM outer door handles 105.00 each at the dealer.

**PICKMUP** · 01-11-2005, 12:55 PM

Not all those repros pit, or sometimes they do and sometimes not. I live in Washington---it rains all the time here and I have several sets on trucks outside that have been in the weather for years.
Take them back and get replacements. Swap them at the Truck Shop display at the swap meets.

70orangeboy · 01-11-2005, 01:08 PM

i've got repros, and one the chrome is peeling off, not sure if that's what "pitting" is but im not happy about it.

**gregfull** · 01-11-2005, 01:44 PM

Here's a thought...What about a billet machined door handle out of aluminum. Polish them up real nice or anodize them. I've got a CNC Machine shop and could probably make them. If ther'e any interest I'll do a little designing and try to come up with a price per pair.

barn9 · 01-11-2005, 02:26 PM

Good idea gregfull. How about door handles and mirrors that compliment each other for our trucks, now there is something I would like to see.

doc_rock · 01-11-2005, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregfull

Here's a thought...What about a billet machined door handle out of aluminum. Polish them up real nice or anodize them. I've got a CNC Machine shop and could probably make them. If ther'e any interest I'll do a little designing and try to come up with a price per pair.

not to go off on a tangent or nothing, but if you machined a complete set of door hardware you could probably sell it for a fortune (outer door handles, inner doorhandles, window crank, lock knob, wing-vent latch, etc)

drenwick · 01-11-2005, 05:56 PM

I'd definitely be interested in that, gregfull. Lemme know.

Dan

Dean · 01-11-2005, 05:56 PM

Don't think those GM handles are any better. I've got new GM ones on my blue K20 which has never been in any winters and not much rain. They never did look good. Been happy with the reproductions so far. One of the few reproductions that I actually liked.

drenwick · 01-11-2005, 09:38 PM

Maybe the better question is who sells the best quality reproductions...

Dan

Rollie396 · 01-12-2005, 12:43 AM

how bout this....shave em!

I'm still tryin to talk myself out of it.

roj2323 · 01-12-2005, 12:52 AM

i'm deffinitly interested in cnc machined handles. the best part is if gregfull decides to do this he can change the look of the handles providing yet another custom part for our trucks. i would like to see a stock looking replacement first of corse.

ondrew

bobs409 · 01-12-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70orangeboy

i've got repros, and one the chrome is peeling off, not sure if that's what "pitting" is but im not happy about it.

This is what pitting looks like. This pic was taken about 6 months after I bought them. It's much worse now.

Staceydude · 01-12-2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtle71

Guys,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...947067448&rd=1
Here is a guy that I would recommend. He is located out of Texas and sells on eBay. I stumbled upon him by accident. I ordered several pieces from him. His quality is outstanding. Come to find out he has about 50 parts trucks that he uses for his donor pieces. He smoothes them up and then triple plates them. It looks great! His phone number is listed on his auctions as well. Give him a call. He chrome plates almost anything you can think of.

Dean

I hate to post it as I have never bought any parts off of him. I am just passing on what I have read here etc.... But I have seen it over and over again how this guys does a crap job....

Here is the link to one thread. It is a sticky at the top of the page on parts...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=83878

Of course maybe he has changed his ways. I do not know.

Regards,

Stace

01-11-2005, 03:56 AM	#1
drenwick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 25	Outside door handle recommendations Bought new reproduction outside door handles a couple-few years ago and they are already pitting and looking cruddy. Is the only way around this to buy NOS genuine GM handles? If so, does anybody know where to get them for less than an arm and a leg? Thanks! Dan __________________ '68 Chevy LWB Fleetside 3/4T, 454/T400, PS, PB, PL, HEI, Dynomax Ceramic/Flowmasters, Oak/Stainless Steel bed, 90% Rest. '97 Lexus LX450 (FZJ80 Land Cruiser in disguise) Factory F&R Lockers '97 Camry DD w/Cleveland Browns sticker

01-11-2005, 09:05 AM	#2
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Can't help on your question but wanted to say I feel your pain brother! The repro's I bought started pitting 6 months after I bought them. One is real bad, the other not too bad. GARBAGE! Pot metal SUCKS! Not exactly related but I had 4 caps for my Chevelle rally wheels that have pot metal center caps and they too pitted after 6 months. Got those from Summit racing. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

01-11-2005, 09:10 AM	#3
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I had the same problem with LMC bumpers I bought. They didn't "pit" but I used "mothers" chrome polish on them when I bought them and they have still faded and peeled. They looked great for about 2 years.... If the PO hadn't twisted up the original front bumper I could have shined it up...and it's 30 some years old! __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

01-11-2005, 12:28 PM	#4
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	NOS GM outer door handles 105.00 each at the dealer. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

01-11-2005, 12:55 PM	#5
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,125	Not all those repros pit, or sometimes they do and sometimes not. I live in Washington---it rains all the time here and I have several sets on trucks outside that have been in the weather for years. Take them back and get replacements. Swap them at the Truck Shop display at the swap meets. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

01-11-2005, 01:08 PM	#6
70orangeboy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 74	i've got repros, and one the chrome is peeling off, not sure if that's what "pitting" is but im not happy about it. __________________ 454 runs on unleaded as well as natural gas orange white two tone paint so many plans for the future

01-11-2005, 01:44 PM	#7
gregfull Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Richmond, Texas Posts: 598	Here's a thought...What about a billet machined door handle out of aluminum. Polish them up real nice or anodize them. I've got a CNC Machine shop and could probably make them. If ther'e any interest I'll do a little designing and try to come up with a price per pair. __________________ My Suburban Project 72 Suburban 68 SWB 57 Belair 55 Cameo 06 Chevy 1/2 ton crew 09 Suburban

01-11-2005, 02:26 PM	#8
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Good idea gregfull. How about door handles and mirrors that compliment each other for our trucks, now there is something I would like to see. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

01-11-2005, 05:56 PM	#10
drenwick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 25	I'd definitely be interested in that, gregfull. Lemme know. Dan __________________ '68 Chevy LWB Fleetside 3/4T, 454/T400, PS, PB, PL, HEI, Dynomax Ceramic/Flowmasters, Oak/Stainless Steel bed, 90% Rest. '97 Lexus LX450 (FZJ80 Land Cruiser in disguise) Factory F&R Lockers '97 Camry DD w/Cleveland Browns sticker

01-11-2005, 05:56 PM	#11
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Don't think those GM handles are any better. I've got new GM ones on my blue K20 which has never been in any winters and not much rain. They never did look good. Been happy with the reproductions so far. One of the few reproductions that I actually liked.

01-11-2005, 09:38 PM	#12
drenwick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 25	Maybe the better question is who sells the best quality reproductions... Dan __________________ '68 Chevy LWB Fleetside 3/4T, 454/T400, PS, PB, PL, HEI, Dynomax Ceramic/Flowmasters, Oak/Stainless Steel bed, 90% Rest. '97 Lexus LX450 (FZJ80 Land Cruiser in disguise) Factory F&R Lockers '97 Camry DD w/Cleveland Browns sticker

01-12-2005, 12:43 AM	#13
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	how bout this....shave em! I'm still tryin to talk myself out of it. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

01-12-2005, 12:52 AM	#14
roj2323 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 985	i'm deffinitly interested in cnc machined handles. the best part is if gregfull decides to do this he can change the look of the handles providing yet another custom part for our trucks. i would like to see a stock looking replacement first of corse. ondrew



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