maxipad2011

Thoughts on this? I'm thinking about doing this myself with paint code matched paint from Automotive Touchup and clearcoating it. The above pic is of a new Range Rover but I know that Mercedes is also doing this part body color/part chrome look as well. Thoughts?

Propa Teknique

That looks really nice however will that paint stay? Another thing is you would have to be extremely precise in your application of the paint.

It does look really good. I believe the M35/45 vehicles had handles similar to those.

I say go for it.

VIP_MAXIMA

we have hands down the ugliest door handles ever. They are made for fat people's wide hands.

maxipad2011

Thank you brother for the feedback!

Luckily one thing that turned me on to it was learning how easy it is to remove the door handles, so I would take them off for this. Along with that I would tape them off, lightly sand the area, hit it with adhesion promoter/self etching primer and then coat that thing with crimson and clear!

Propa Teknique

That's so wrong on so many levels.

maxipad2011

+1

And the fact that they stand out from the rest of the door has driven me nuts for awhile.

Propa Teknique

While you have the handles off, you should add the puddle lights. That would make them look even more amazing!

maxipad2011

That would be a hot add on too! I haven't researched that yet...is it hard to do?

Propa Teknique

I don't believe it was hard to do but this was in a 6th gen that I saw someone do this. I don't know anyone who has taken this on in a 7th gen thought I believe there was a thread for it but it was for the accent lighting below the vehicle not the lights coming from the door handle.

Below are some threads regarding the puddle light mod in the 6th gen section:

7th Gen Accent Lighting: http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...-lights-3.html

6th Gen Puddle Lights:

1. Puddle Light Mod 1

2. Puddle Light Mod 2

3. Puddle Light Mod 3

Seriously they look really good on the 6th gen so I doubt they would look bad our 7th gen.

maxipad2011

Thank you for the links...paint ordered! It's going down next weekend!

Daaavid

Carbon fiber anyone?

I think it would look good, or you can even do it the other way around. Paint the outside piece and leave the middle portion chrome.

zoemayne

iTrader: (4)

makes me wonder... Is that a source of some of the wind noise?....

maxipad2011

I thought about that too. Just got in and while in traffic was next to a Benz that had 2/3 painted to match and it was the lower portion while the upper portion was chrome....also pretty sweet!

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

Don't know about the handles but the outside mirrors generate a lot of wind noise. If I stick my hand in the opening between the car and the mirror the noise stops. I have considered mounting something in that area to change the airflow.

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

I'm liking the look.

Propa Teknique

We do have some big mirrors! You're right the noise does stop. I tried that this morning.

maxipad2011

So I'm doing this mod this coming weekend and will be adding pics of course! Paint and clearcoat will be in this week from Automotive Touchup and the pic below is the style I'm going with as of now....we have a "crease" right down the middle of our handles so I'm taping not far above that and painting the lower 2/3 to match the car while leaving the top 1/3 chrome:

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

That looks sharp. I think leaving the chrome on top exposed like that is the best look. Looking foward to seeing how it comes out.

maxipad2011

So here are some shots of the semi finished product! I say "semi" since I actually painted the larger parts of each handle, leaving the top edge chrome but forgetting to paint the small backs of each handle and then running out of paint....so here is the product:

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

Looks good, bummer on running out of paint. How much paint did you use? How much is required? How did the chrome edge turn out? Can't really see it in the pics. What was your process and did you end up getting a nice finish? I'm starting to think just painting the entire handle the vehicle's color. Less hassle and that way I don't have to worry about the edge. Are you happy with the result?

maxipad2011

Thank you sir! I will finish it up once the new paint comes in...below are two more pics with one showing you that the edge is clean: