Polished Door Handles ( What Do You Think) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PT'S 70 CST · 12-09-2003, 04:01 PM

I HAVE HAD A IDEA FOR A FEW MONTHS ABOUT TAKING SOME OF MY OLD DOOR HANDLES AND POLISHING THEM TO SEE HOW THEY WOULD LOOK. ALOT OF DOOR HANDLES GET PITTED AND ARE ONLY GOOD FOR DAILY DRIVER, SO I SAID I WILL TRY IT AND SEE HOW IT WOULD TURN OUT.
THE ONLY HARD THING IS IF YOU HAVE EVER DONE ANY POLISHING YOU KNOW THEY SO MANY STEPS OF COATING WHEN THEY CHROME DIP THEM AND STRIPPING THEM IS A PAIN. SO I DID IT AND WHEN I STRIPPED THEM I HAD TO ROUND OFF THE FRONT OF THEM TO GET ALL OF THE COATES OFF. ( HERE IS ONE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK)

PT'S 70 CST · 12-09-2003, 04:20 PM

HERE IS ANOTHER PIC

Mark70Z · 12-09-2003, 04:39 PM

Sure does look good to me from the pictures. How did you go about stripping them? Also, will you need to coat them with something so they wont turn?

sactoC10 · 12-09-2003, 05:09 PM

I too am curious to know how you stripped them. I think they look great.

1970blazin · 12-09-2003, 05:21 PM

Look brand new- again what did you do to strip them and polish them????

Smooth68 · 12-09-2003, 05:24 PM

So the picture is a door handle with the chrome stripped off and then polished?

724x4a/cchevy · 12-09-2003, 06:57 PM

I think those door handles look great. The smoothness of them kinda makes them look custom made. Sure beats the original squareness. That polish job looks really nice.

da-burb · 12-10-2003, 01:53 AM

I love the way the handle looks. Very subtle looking. Now would you have to anodize or chrome them to keep the handle from oxidizing rather quickly? The handle is just pot metal which isn't all that good unless protected by chrome.

PT'S 70 CST · 12-10-2003, 09:12 AM

OK I AM GOING TO TRY AND ANSWER ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS IN ONE. FIRST I STARTED WITH A OLD PITTED DOOR HANDLE AND #1 SANDED THEM WITH A VERTICAL BAND SANDER WITH A MEDIUM GRIT PAPER #2 THEN YOU CAN BLEND THEM WITH SCOTCH BRITE BLENDING WHEEL ON A BENCH GRINDER ( TP TOOLS 8455-90) THIS IS A MEDIUM GRADE PAD IF YOU CAN FIND A HEAVY GRADE PAD IT WILL WORK BETTER FOR #2 THEN #3 USE ( TP TOOLS 8455-89) FINE GRADE PAD TO DO YOUR FINE BLEND. #4 LOOSE SEWN BUFFING WHEEL ( TP TOOLS 8455-24 AND WHITE ROUGE COMPOUND) TP TOOLS CARRYS ALL OF THESE ITEMS BUT I USE EASTWOOD EITHER OF THESE COMPANYS HAS THESE ITEMS. #4 THE LAST STEP YOU JUST BUFF TO A FINE LUSTER. YOU CAN SKIP STEP #1 IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VER. SANDER IT WILL JUST TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME.

PT'S 70 CST · 12-10-2003, 09:19 AM

MARK70Z: I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WILL HOLD UP TO THE WEATHER, I HAVE POLISHED MANY ITEMS ON THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK LIKE SHIFTER HANDLES AND HEADLIGHT AND WIPER BEZELS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THEY TEND TO TURN A LITTLE HAZEY AND WHEN THEY DO I JUST RUN THEM OVER THEN BUFFER AGIAN. I AM NOT SURE IF ANYONE MAKES ANYTHING TO COATE THEM.

PT'S 70 CST · 12-10-2003, 09:24 AM

I KNOW THIS IS A LONG PROCESS FOR A PART YOU CAN BUY AFTER MARKET BUT I JUST LIKE TRY THINGS TO SEE IF I CAN TURN A TURD INTO A SWAN. I GUESS I JUST HAVE A LOVE OF SEEING SOMTHING THAT I STARTED OUT WITH TURN INTO A SHOW QUALITY PIECE. I GUESS I JUST HAVE TO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS (STYX) FOR U MUSIC BUFFS P.S. DA-BURB YOU ARE CORRECT THEY WILL TURN OVER TIME AND I AM WORKING ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY CAN BE TREATED WITH SOME KIND OF COATING.

LATER

cwilli84 · 12-10-2003, 09:43 AM

They look great.

sactoC10 · 12-10-2003, 12:08 PM

So basically there is not a chemical stripping process, but simply a stripping process by means of grinding/sanding. Since the handles are not too big, the time to get it done would be reasonable for me. Thanks for the idea and back-up information.

smokekiki · 12-10-2003, 01:25 PM

Eastwood and por-15 both make a clear coat for polished aluminum.It couldn't hurt to try a clear coat on them.

leadfoot067 · 12-13-2003, 01:15 AM

have them powder coated clear....

....problem solved

dinnut · 12-13-2003, 01:35 AM

i just started polishing an intake. it does take a long time!!!!!!!

12-09-2003, 05:21 PM	#5
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	Look brand new- again what did you do to strip them and polish them???? __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

12-09-2003, 05:24 PM	#6
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	So the picture is a door handle with the chrome stripped off and then polished? __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

12-09-2003, 06:57 PM	#7
724x4a/cchevy Self-proclaimed LED man Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrisburg, Missouri Posts: 1,021	I think those door handles look great. The smoothness of them kinda makes them look custom made. Sure beats the original squareness. That polish job looks really nice. __________________ My LED Website My Photobucket Album of LED's Ask me about hand-made custom L.E.D brake and reverse lights. <- LINK I also do LED: -Third Brake/Cargo -Brake (truck and burb) -Reverse (truck and burb) -67-68 Front Turn Signals -69-70 Front Turn Signals -71-72 Front Turn Signals -GMC Front Turn Signals I can also do custom lights for other vehicles....i did a set for a AMC Gremlin once Norwood Survivor

12-10-2003, 01:53 AM	#8
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	I love the way the handle looks. Very subtle looking. Now would you have to anodize or chrome them to keep the handle from oxidizing rather quickly? The handle is just pot metal which isn't all that good unless protected by chrome. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

12-10-2003, 09:12 AM	#9
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	OK I AM GOING TO TRY AND ANSWER ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS IN ONE. FIRST I STARTED WITH A OLD PITTED DOOR HANDLE AND #1 SANDED THEM WITH A VERTICAL BAND SANDER WITH A MEDIUM GRIT PAPER #2 THEN YOU CAN BLEND THEM WITH SCOTCH BRITE BLENDING WHEEL ON A BENCH GRINDER ( TP TOOLS 8455-90) THIS IS A MEDIUM GRADE PAD IF YOU CAN FIND A HEAVY GRADE PAD IT WILL WORK BETTER FOR #2 THEN #3 USE ( TP TOOLS 8455-89) FINE GRADE PAD TO DO YOUR FINE BLEND. #4 LOOSE SEWN BUFFING WHEEL ( TP TOOLS 8455-24 AND WHITE ROUGE COMPOUND) TP TOOLS CARRYS ALL OF THESE ITEMS BUT I USE EASTWOOD EITHER OF THESE COMPANYS HAS THESE ITEMS. #4 THE LAST STEP YOU JUST BUFF TO A FINE LUSTER. YOU CAN SKIP STEP #1 IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VER. SANDER IT WILL JUST TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME. __________________ 70 CST SWB 70 NOVA 93 Indy 500 Pace Truck (SOLD) 94 SILVERADO SWB 5/7 drop 2000 Silverado swb 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 (Surprisingly very fast) 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali BATESBURG, SC. 29006 29006 Some of my restorations http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thu...NAME=snapfish/ Restored Tach tins 8 cyl - 6 cyl http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518185 Contact info(Not my paypal address) DAWGSFAN227@YAHOO.COM God Bless Our Troops Last edited by PT'S 70 CST; 12-10-2003 at 09:29 AM.

12-09-2003, 04:01 PM	#1
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	Polished Door Handles ( What Do You Think) I HAVE HAD A IDEA FOR A FEW MONTHS ABOUT TAKING SOME OF MY OLD DOOR HANDLES AND POLISHING THEM TO SEE HOW THEY WOULD LOOK. ALOT OF DOOR HANDLES GET PITTED AND ARE ONLY GOOD FOR DAILY DRIVER, SO I SAID I WILL TRY IT AND SEE HOW IT WOULD TURN OUT. THE ONLY HARD THING IS IF YOU HAVE EVER DONE ANY POLISHING YOU KNOW THEY SO MANY STEPS OF COATING WHEN THEY CHROME DIP THEM AND STRIPPING THEM IS A PAIN. SO I DID IT AND WHEN I STRIPPED THEM I HAD TO ROUND OFF THE FRONT OF THEM TO GET ALL OF THE COATES OFF. ( HERE IS ONE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK) Attached Images Last edited by PT'S 70 CST; 12-09-2003 at 04:13 PM.

12-09-2003, 04:20 PM	#2
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	DOOR HANDLES HERE IS ANOTHER PIC Attached Images

12-09-2003, 04:39 PM	#3
Mark70Z Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 128	Sure does look good to me from the pictures. How did you go about stripping them? Also, will you need to coat them with something so they wont turn?

12-09-2003, 05:09 PM	#4
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	I too am curious to know how you stripped them. I think they look great.

12-10-2003, 09:19 AM	#10
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	MARK70Z: I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WILL HOLD UP TO THE WEATHER, I HAVE POLISHED MANY ITEMS ON THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK LIKE SHIFTER HANDLES AND HEADLIGHT AND WIPER BEZELS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THEY TEND TO TURN A LITTLE HAZEY AND WHEN THEY DO I JUST RUN THEM OVER THEN BUFFER AGIAN. I AM NOT SURE IF ANYONE MAKES ANYTHING TO COATE THEM. __________________ 70 CST SWB 70 NOVA 93 Indy 500 Pace Truck (SOLD) 94 SILVERADO SWB 5/7 drop 2000 Silverado swb 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 (Surprisingly very fast) 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali BATESBURG, SC. 29006 29006 Some of my restorations http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thu...NAME=snapfish/ Restored Tach tins 8 cyl - 6 cyl http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518185 Contact info(Not my paypal address) DAWGSFAN227@YAHOO.COM God Bless Our Troops Last edited by PT'S 70 CST; 12-10-2003 at 09:34 AM.

12-10-2003, 09:24 AM	#11
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	I KNOW THIS IS A LONG PROCESS FOR A PART YOU CAN BUY AFTER MARKET BUT I JUST LIKE TRY THINGS TO SEE IF I CAN TURN A TURD INTO A SWAN. I GUESS I JUST HAVE A LOVE OF SEEING SOMTHING THAT I STARTED OUT WITH TURN INTO A SHOW QUALITY PIECE. I GUESS I JUST HAVE TO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS (STYX) FOR U MUSIC BUFFS P.S. DA-BURB YOU ARE CORRECT THEY WILL TURN OVER TIME AND I AM WORKING ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY CAN BE TREATED WITH SOME KIND OF COATING. LATER __________________ 70 CST SWB 70 NOVA 93 Indy 500 Pace Truck (SOLD) 94 SILVERADO SWB 5/7 drop 2000 Silverado swb 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 (Surprisingly very fast) 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali BATESBURG, SC. 29006 29006 Some of my restorations http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thu...NAME=snapfish/ Restored Tach tins 8 cyl - 6 cyl http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518185 Contact info(Not my paypal address) DAWGSFAN227@YAHOO.COM God Bless Our Troops Last edited by PT'S 70 CST; 12-10-2003 at 09:33 AM.

12-10-2003, 09:43 AM	#12
cwilli84 1FINE69 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 239	They look great. __________________ Had a 69 swb fleetside 350zz3 w 400turbo trans oak lined bed with rhino coated sides red exterior. SOLD

12-10-2003, 12:08 PM	#13
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	So basically there is not a chemical stripping process, but simply a stripping process by means of grinding/sanding. Since the handles are not too big, the time to get it done would be reasonable for me. Thanks for the idea and back-up information.

12-10-2003, 01:25 PM	#14
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	Eastwood and por-15 both make a clear coat for polished aluminum.It couldn't hurt to try a clear coat on them. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

12-13-2003, 01:15 AM	#15
leadfoot067 horsepower junkie Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: graham, washington Posts: 326	have them powder coated clear.... ....problem solved __________________ 67 short wide box,350/700r4/3.73posi 71 olds cutlass "S" mom bought new..12.30s@113MPH



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12-13-2003, 01:35 AM	#16
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	i just started polishing an intake. it does take a long time!!!!!!! __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

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