[mfagus]

Hello all.

Over time the sun has faded (lightened) my door handles.

Can anyone suggest a product or have experience with something that would darken them back to the way they are supposed to look?

I want to be careful with what I use as I don's want this to turn my hand black every time I open a door.

I have used Mothers "Back to Black" without getting the results I hoped for.


thanks


Mark

 

[snowbilt]

Have you priced new ones or OES? To get the results you needed with your current ones, you may have to paint them. I am not sure with what but you would have to R and R to do it right.

 

[mfagus]

replacing them is always an option but wanted to see what options I have before I head down that path.

 

[MC06A]

Product Catalog

That has worked wonderfully for my door handles. You can get that at Walmart for under 10 dollars I believe.


On my 560SL:
Before:

Halfway:

After:

Alternatively, I've heard peanut butter works. I don't know the exact procedure, but you might wanna search the forums.

 

[MaximRick]

the cheapest and most efficient way is Buff the handles out w/ WD40 on a clean terry cloth.

My black handles looked very "white" and faded from a few accidental waxings and a lot of sun since the car is not garage kept (apparently waxing those is a no-no)

Then i read somewhere WD40 on a cloth w/ a little elbow grease not only cleans them, it removes any and all wax and leaves them looking like new...

The only problem is like w/ any other part of the car that has been faded b/c of the sun and age it will need a quick WD40 treatment every once in a while...

All in all WD40 is dirt cheap and retouching the handles every 2 weeks or so isn't too terrible. (after doing the treatment once it will already will look much better all the time but if your a perfectionist like me then you'll always want that brand new looking glossy black shine)

Hope that helps.

 

[telechronos]

Every Body has a Solution.

On the black trim parts on my cars, I have had complete success using any of the clear silicone tire gels (only gel). Apply it heavily but smoothly, let it set for about 10 minutes, wipe off the excess. Usually restores to new black and lasts 6-12 months.
I never make guarantees, but it works for me, not very expensive either.

Telechronos

1999 S500 Grand Edition Mileage (36, 901)
1984 380 SL
1987 BMW L7
1969 Factory stick Pontiac Grand Prix SJ
1955 MG TF1500

 

[Anthony Orosco]

In these situations I re-dye the areas using this product Trim & Molding Dyes

I use it because it works.

Anthony

 

[bocabenz]

Armor All, but then again, mine aren't almost white either.

 

[ByByeAmericanPie]

Race Glaze works nicely

 

[mfagus]

Wow thanks for all the input. I went with the suggestion from MC06A to use Restore Black for a whopping $10 at Wa-Mart.
The results were VERY good. Now we will see how long it lasts but it was easy enough to do that even if I have to do it every few months, it is not an issue.

thanks again

Mark

 

[budjr]

great info, I may try these ideas as the florida sun play havock on my 1986, including the roof, hood & trunk paint surface.

 

[adamcooper]

hey

you could get door handles from some mercedes benz spare parts retailers really cheap..

 

[bgoin]

Hello all.

Over time the sun has faded (lightened) my door handles.

Can anyone suggest a product or have experience with something that would darken them back to the way they are supposed to look?

I want to be careful with what I use as I don's want this to turn my hand black every time I open a door.

I have used Mothers "Back to Black" without getting the results I hoped for.


thanks


Mark

Three months ago, I used "black paste shoe polish" on all four door handles, worked like magic. Just keep wiping the handles with a white rag until you see no black color on the rag. They still look great today.

 

[kraftwagon]

I've heard that works. I haven't used polish but I have used black "edge dressing." If you've ever had your shoes shined you know this as the stuff they put on the outer edges of your soles (usually) with a toothbrush. Sometimes they fan your shoes dry with a newspaper. Some brands sell bottles of it with a sponge applicator at Walgreens.

 

[francisira]

Hi.
I have been using Forever Black for the past few years on bumpers and door handles and am very happy with the product. i reapply every 6- 8 months.
regards
francis

 

[Sam-Tee-Time]

Hi.
I have been using Forever Black for the past few years on bumpers and door handles and am very happy with the product. i reapply every 6- 8 months.
regards
francis

I used Griot's Garage "BUMPER & TRIM RECONDITIONING DYE" product. I think it's the same thing as "Forever Black", as it comes in precisely the same bottle/applicator. It worked terrifically!

PS: Make sure to mask your door handles with painter's tape, so as not to spill this stuff on your paint.

 

[190E.sg]

I used liquid shoe polish (black) on the door handles and bumper strip. It's fantastic results and it last. Try it.

 

[BlackML320]

I used Meguair's Leather Cleaner on my door handles and the door trim and that darkened them up pretty nicely.

 

[sqljunkie]

Thanks for this info, helpful!

 

[sqljunkie]

Passenger side done with Forever Black, drivers side not done yet: