NNBS Tailgate handle Paint How-to! Enjoy!

**WaldoAZ** · 11-26-2008, 07:28 PM

Well,

I finally got some time off work and I decided to give painting a try for the first time. Let me tell you that it is not as hard as you may think. This is for painting small exterior stuff though. I decided to go with the spray can paint. I purchased my paint from automotivetouchup.com. They do a great job of matching your color code and also use a patented spray tip that sprays similar to a spray gun. Anywyas here it is:

STUFF YOU NEED:

80,180, and 320 grit sandpaper (USED TO GET RID OF THE TEXTURE.)
adhesion promoter (Used for plastics on cars to make the paint stay.)
primer
paint
clear
NOTE* YOU MAY WANT WATERSAND FOR MIRRO FINISH WITH 1500 GRIT AND RUBBING COUMPOUND.

FIRST:
Sand your tailgate handle in the following order:
80, then 180, and then 320 grit
Make sure you sand it down to a smooth finish and do not leave any deep scratches.
Make sure you wash the parts with dish soap and dry them after your done sanding.
Here are some pics:
80 GRIT

180 GRIT

320 GRIT

SECOND:
Spray 1 to 2 coats of the adhesion promoter. Wait 5 minutes between the coats.
After, spray 3-5 coats of primer. Wait 5-10 minutes between each coat. Let the pieces sit for about 45 minues before going on tot he next step.
*NOTE: IF YOU GGET RUNS OR BLOCTHES, YOU CAN WATERSAND THEM DOWN WITH THE 320 GRIT SANDPAPER.

THIRD
It is now time to spray the color. Spray 3-5 coats of paint. Wait 5-10 minutes between each coat.
After, let the parts dry for about 30 minutes and then apply as many coats of clear as youd like. Wait 5-10 minutes between each coat of clear.

FOURTH
YOU MAY WANT TO WETSAND THE CLEAR WITH 1500 GRIT AND THEN APPLY RUBBING COUMPOUND TO GET A LIKE MIRROR FINISH. UP TO YOU!
Grab a beer and enjoy a job well done!

**gmcem50** · 12-01-2008, 12:00 PM

Nice job, Waldo! looks professional. I want to do this to my tailgate handle. There are guys selling painted tailgate handle assemblies on eBay but no one I've seen has them with the a locking feature, so I will have to go this route too. When I finish I'll post pics as well.

P.S. Did you order your primer & adhesion promoter from automotivetouchup.com also, or just the paint?

**raisor87** · 12-01-2008, 12:20 PM

great job turned out really well. Never considered color matching my tailgate handle. Project for next weekend maybe

**gmcem50** · 04-01-2009, 03:52 AM

Finally got around to doing this.

**1st Synthetics** · 04-01-2009, 06:50 AM

Looks like a great job.

**Z71_guy** · 04-01-2009, 11:34 AM

looks good

**u1arunit** · 04-01-2009, 11:47 AM

Looks good, thanks for taking the time to do this write-up!

**dwill3015** · 04-01-2009, 12:05 PM

Moved to Write-ups.

**bob13** · 04-02-2009, 12:08 AM

Great write-up!

**kylegillean** · 07-21-2009, 04:16 PM

thanks a lot for this. My goal is to have no black plastic on my truck, I didnt want full chrome door and tailgate assemblies. So I got the chrome handles and I;m going to be color matching the pieces around the actual handles. I havent seen anyone do this yet. You're write up is definitely going to help me.