Outofspec's approach sounds like the most durable solution to a chronic problem with those early polyamide handles. What a terrible idea they were. My approach is to remove the handles once a year, thoroughly wipe them with a degreaser solvent and liberally apply a product from Griot's Garage called undercarriage spray, or some such thing. It's a paraffin wax solution that isn't marketed for door handles, but it does quite a good job if you let it soak in then give it a final wipe to remove excess and ensure even absorption. The handles look new again and are not greasy to the touch. Once you've done it, you'll instantly see how much they had become weather bleached. One word of caution: you don't want to spray the handles with this undercarriage stuff while they're still on the car. In fact, you'll want to spray them down-wind from the car, because the overspray is very waxy and you'll end up having to wash the car to get it off. That's why it does such a beautiful job in the wheel wells and underbody. Another alternative you can consider.

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

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