Reviving faded door handles
 

The door handles seems to fade to a unsightly gray colour on the W124. I believe I read somewhere that they are made with some sort of fiberglass resin. What product or technique can I use to refresh them? Most vinyl treatment products that I've used have done nothing other than shine them up for a couple of days.

Remove, respray, replace.

Very seldom can one mask and spray without some overspray hitting something unintended.

I use peanut butter.Rub in well,then clean excess off.Veggie oil works too.

I just came across a combination that worked surprisingly well.

I was wiping some overspray off one of the handles with POR-15's solvent and it kind of melted away the surface crust. I wiped it smooth and let it dry and then wiped it with 303 and let it sit for a few minutes before I buffed it with a microfiber cloth.

This worked amazing on the black part of the drip rail along the roof line and on the side trim/mouldings too.

I only did it a few days ago, but I've never seen the handles and black trim as black as it is now and I've tried a bunch of stuff.

Up until now I always used Back to Black.

They're glass-filled nylon. The nylon is degrading and exposing the glass fibers beneath. Paint will solve it, so will buying a fresh set from the junkyard, especially a '90-up set with the stainless strip.

I bought a Back-to-Black kit from Bondo for $20. It comes with a bottle of the chemical and a foam pad with a handle. I put two coats and it lasts about 4 to 5 months in the ATL weather, my car is parked outside.

For thermal set plastic like what's used on the bumpers a heat gun works good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-dtbBzky-s

-Jason

Those Jetta parts are PPO, not PA.

try this
 

It's called Forever Black. It comes with a cleaner and reconditioner...works great...less than $20, and it'll work on all kinds of other things as well.....try it

Swissvax Seal Feed is another great choice. It will give the faded surface a much richer and even look without leaving behind any greasy residue. The added benefit of using Seal Feed is that it can be used on all the exterior black rubber and plastic trim.

+1 you need brand new door handles if you want door handles that look like brand new. It's not a question of renewing the surfaces. The surfaces are gone. Professionally paint with a tough semigloss black w/ clear topcoat or get new ones. Nothing else will work. Even handles from a junkyard will be degraded.

I'm going to try and find a nice used set then. I can't imagine they are cheap if I had to buy new ones from the dealer. How hard are they to remove and replace?

Very easy in the rear, fronts take a key to remove unless you have the door panel out and latch loose