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  #1  
Old 12-23-2004, 12:36 PM
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Question How to restore weathered exterior door handle to original color

I recently purchased a 1984 SE, The car is great, and in excellemt condition with one exception. The door handles look very weathered. It appears that it might have been a very dark grey, or black at some time. I don't have another vehicle to compare with, my 280sl has chrome handles. I have read many posts about what others have used, I'm still not sure what to try.

Can someone tell me what the color is supposed to be? Black, or Dark Grey.

Can someone recommend what works best. I have fine detailing brushes, so I can clean off any wax residue first. I'm leaning towards a dye ????

As always, I appreciate any helpful hints or advise.

Happy Holidays to all.

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1978 VW Convertible
1984 280SE Euro
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Old 12-23-2004, 06:14 PM
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Don't laugh, but there are those here that swear by olive oil (don't use extra virgin, it would be a waste); peanut butter (starting to see a pattern here, yet?) or tire dressing.

When new, the handles were never truly black, they were a dark gray, much like the grill inserts, and they fade in sunlight. I've used "Forever Black" and found it lasts much longer than the "oils" but it's not "forever."
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Old 12-23-2004, 08:00 PM
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I have been using Armorall, and has been working good for me.
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Old 12-28-2004, 03:02 PM
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303 Aerospace protectant has worked allright on the door handles. Really well everywehere else. Seems that the door handles do indeed need a layer of an oil to soak into them to get them right.

For those of you that have faded trim mouldings running around the belt-line of your car:

Clean and dry trim with a good cleaner, to remove wax buildup. I used 303 to clean the residue out, then quick detailer to remove oil left over from 303. I then masked up the paint directly above to trim mouldings with a low adhesive sfae for paint 3m tape, and generously applied black leather shoe dye in liquid form. Immediately wipe off excess dye, let haze, and buff (this will remove un-absorbed dye, and lift film left over on chrome strips inbedded in the plastic moulding. Repeat process if necessary.
Remove masking tape and botta-bing botta boom. youve got new trim mouldings! The leather dye lasts for several car washes, and I have not had any negative side affects. Its been 3 months since application.
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  #5  
Old 12-29-2004, 10:25 AM
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As a professional detailer I would dye the trim using this product http://www.topoftheline.com/trim-molding-dye.html

It comes with a fantastic cleaner, GR-40, and it alone can restore much of the color by removing oxidation, oils and years of grime. After this you can if needed, use the dye to re-new the color. use light applications and then seal it.

Hope that helps,
Anthony
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  #6  
Old 12-30-2004, 01:33 AM
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How to restore weathered handle to original

Quote:
Originally Posted by lbuggie
I recently purchased a 1984 SE, The car is great, and in excellemt condition with one exception. The door handles look very weathered. It appears that it might have been a very dark grey, or black at some time. I don't have another vehicle to compare with, my 280sl has chrome handles. I have read many posts about what others have used, I'm still not sure what to try.

Can someone tell me what the color is supposed to be? Black, or Dark Grey.

Can someone recommend what works best. I have fine detailing brushes, so I can clean off any wax residue first. I'm leaning towards a dye ????

As always, I appreciate any helpful hints or advise.

Happy Holidays to all.
I've always used Johnson & Johnson baby oil.Apply and then wipe it off;seems to last a couple of weeks.Worked on both of my previous 300 E's and works fine when needed on my current 400E.
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Old 01-05-2005, 07:29 AM
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Smile Thanks for your advise and tips...lbuggie

I appreciate your tips. I'm leaning towards a dye method but might try the oil method this winter and see how long it lasts.
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1981 280SL Euro 107
1978 VW Convertible
1984 280SE Euro

Last edited by lbuggie; 01-20-2005 at 07:18 AM.
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  #8  
Old 01-19-2005, 03:27 PM
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Peanut oil

will work fine. It dissolves out any grayed-out gunk that has collected in the grain. Then maybe 303 to keep it sharp. Works great for any exterior vinyl to bring back the color of the plastic.
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  #9  
Old 01-20-2005, 08:39 AM
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Handle dyeing, et al.

This is easy: Forever Black. It's actually a dye. You put it on they way you do liquid shoe polish.

I used it my 300e handles and all black vinyl trim. Did it three months ago and it is holding up well.

I tried some of the other methods, but they only seem good for a week or so.

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