Sticky door handle trial and error

Looks good!

 

They turned out really nice, Chris!!!! I'm with you--I was going to do all the highend CF or nickelplating, but chose to just repaint flat black--$$$

 

Yeah its too bad our handles are goo coated plastic ....

 

That's what happens when you get modern Ferrari's, you get modern plastic parts, old Ferrari's have old steel parts.

 

I notice the 348 handles are alloy, which gives you more finish options (plating, powder coating). For those about to embark on this project, it is worth noting that the 355 handles are plastic which is coated with that same goo stuff. Removal and clean up sound the same, but refinish option is only one: paint. Personally, I looked at all types of paints, but decided against the rubber and plasti-coat simply because I was afraid that they'd turn to goo again in time. Since I was also re-doing my center console at the same time, the thought of having to re-do it was unappealing. Thus, I went with plastic primer (so the paint wouldn't peel) then satin finish black. Looks exactly like the photos you guys are posting, but no tackiness even in direct sun. Just my 2 cents.

John

 

Yeah, plastic weighs less !! BTW Dominick are you entering your 308 in the online contest?

What brand of paint did you use?

 

Very cool tip - my 348 handles look like sheit, but I was going to live with it. Now I have a new project! Hmm, I got to look up how to remove those buggers again...

 

When I re-did my interior, I used the house brand from Lowes hardware. It was called American Tradition or something like that. Satin finish, real light coats which by themselves would not have covered it, but when I did 5 or 6 coats in total it left the pieces with a soft, almost pebbled finish. Very appropriate appearing for the car interior, I think. Also, perfectly matches the Ricambi AC overlay, so the whole interior has a cohesive look.

John

 

what does it feel like? plastic or rubber? can you describe or compare it to something?

 

it does feel rubbery, but also like there is a grit to it, it is not smooth to the touch like the brandnew original ferrary parts, but rather non skid texture. Although looking at it closely, it seems pretty smooth, but textured. Again not as smooth as the stock part when new.

 

I am getting my 348 handles powder coated black as we speak. I am in traveling in China right now and will post pics next week when I come home and get the handles back from the shop.
Kai

 

I'm in the middle of doing my 348 interior now and I chose to go with a brushed chrome finish from a local shop that specializes in replating architectural hardware, about $120 for both. I prefer the chrome look over stock because it breaks up all of the black on the upper door panels and dash. There is one down side though that I didn't think of, the shiney finish can make a glare in the side glass in bright sunlight. It's not bad, it's just going to take some getting used to.

 

Mine a chrome (nickel) I have no problems

 

ok, here are my black powder coated door handles.

Looks pretty good, I think...
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Here is a pic of a door handle and the convertible top handle, that I just re-finished for a 355 spyder. the door handle is metal and the top handle is cast aluminum mount with a resin handle. I soaked the parts in some acetone for a few minutes and the sticky goo blistered off, a quick wipe down and some brushing to get the gunk out of the corners and it was clean enough for 'paint'. SEM makes a varity of paints and finishes for the automotive world and body shops and upholstery guys know these products quiet well. there available at most auto paint supply stores for about $10 a can. I used the black exterior trim paint, it's an exact match to any painted trim piece you'll find on the car. a few quick coats and it's good. takes 48hrs to cure so handle with care until then.

http://www.sem.ws/ for those interested.
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I just finished redoing my console and handles.. it turned out AWESOME! looks brand new! thanks for the plasticote idea!

 

has anyone redone the steering column cover. mine seems to be completely tacked up and sticky, as are my handles. hot summe rand they finally really turned into a sticky mess.

also, has anyone used the easy off on the palstic parts (like the center console pieces)? is that okay to use on plastic.

cheers, Marc

 

Just replaced the steering column cover. About 5 screws on the bottom and it pops right off.

Easy Off will probably finish melting it. Buy the replacement part.

 

i used easy off on both my metal door handles as well as my plastic center console pieces. the easy off takes the old stuff off pretty easily. make sure you get it ALL off tho so that you get a good new finish. the new finish is absolutely amazing with that plasticote!

 

I redid mine and it looks like new again. Mine was not at that sticky stage yet, just scratched up pretty bad near the key hole. Sanded it down a little and resprayed it. If you have an F1, it is a little bit of a pain to get it off...

 

PICS!!!!