Hi all, so I have this slight scuff along the passenger side door handle and was wondering what's the best option to get it fixed? I want to hear some different thoughts and opinions on how to go about this. The car has a few scuffs like this from the previous owner and you don't really notice it unless you go looking for it, but I'm slowly getting them done up through some claims. Unfortunately, my scratch and dent insurance ruled this particular one out because it's not covered under my policy.

I briefly considered looking and buying a spare Skoda Superb Mk III front passenger door handle in the same colour (LY7G QUARTZ GREY) but it doesn't seem feasible from a quick online search.

 

The only other two options would be to take it to a car body specialist and see how much they'll charge for it or I'll have to try and fix my myself, maybe with a bit of sanding down and polishing.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

 

 

I'd say getting a paintshop to do it properly or ordering a new handle in the correct colour are your best options, depending on the quote to paint.

You could try 5000 grit paper with plenty of soapy water/lube, but from experience those handles are just about covered in paint and no more. You could end up making it look much worse very easily, especially on an edge like that.

Has it gone all the way through?  I'm constantly amazed what Meguiars 105 / 205 will polish out - if you've got a few areas in need of TLC it's probably worth a punt.  Being tight if it's all the way though I'd mostly likely masking it up and having a bash with a spray can and then use the 105 to try and blend it out  - if it looks naff, the it's not a massive outlay.

 

Edit - on closer inspection it has gone though.  If you have my skill levels  UndertheRadar has the right answer (of if you're like my wife, just ignore it)

Edited 4 September, 20205 yr by JBD1974
zoomed in!

22 hours ago, UndertheRadar said:

I'd say getting a paintshop to do it properly or ordering a new handle in the correct colour are your best options, depending on the quote to paint.

You could try 5000 grit paper with plenty of soapy water/lube, but from experience those handles are just about covered in paint and no more. You could end up making it look much worse very easily, especially on an edge like that.

 

I tried looking around for door handles but I'm not coming up with anything, maybe I'm just not looking at the right websites. I'll probably do what you've said, contact a few paintshops for a few quotes and hope that it won't be too expensive...

 

22 hours ago, JBD1974 said:

Has it gone all the way through?  I'm constantly amazed what Meguiars 105 / 205 will polish out - if you've got a few areas in need of TLC it's probably worth a punt.  Being tight if it's all the way though I'd mostly likely masking it up and having a bash with a spray can and then use the 105 to try and blend it out  - if it looks naff, the it's not a massive outlay.

 

Edit - on closer inspection it has gone though.  If you have my skill levels  UndertheRadar has the right answer (of if you're like my wife, just ignore it)

 

It feels like there's a rough lip on the surface, so I'm guessing that's the plastic underneath.

 

Thanks for your helps guys.

If you take it to a paint shop, get them to paint it off the car, instead of attempting to mask that area off and paint it. It looks like its down to the plastic as best as i can tell from pic?

You could also try pricing a genuine colour coded handle. I sometimes find myself surprised by how reasonable some bits are (not often though). My last Merc had keyless handles that just loved failing. Genuine Mercedes colour coded handles were £125 each.

The power steering pump was £700 and the rack was £2400 among a long list, but at least the bloody handles were reasonable. lol.

@SomethingSuperbly

Have you tried https://www.breakerlink.com/?code_no=10002=word=carpart_posttown&code_no=10002&gclid=CjwKCAjwkdL6BRAREiwA-kiczOnkFsjGKXzmhJY9S97WD1a3jBBaUWl-jtWuDcJQiK3EYBRUNd3E3BoCjzIQAvD_BwE

I got one for my focus there a few years ago.

Got three offers from different breakers.

Edited 6 September, 20205 yr by facet edge

On 05/09/2020 at 21:31, UndertheRadar said:

If you take it to a paint shop, get them to paint it off the car, instead of attempting to mask that area off and paint it. It looks like its down to the plastic as best as i can tell from pic?

You could also try pricing a genuine colour coded handle. I sometimes find myself surprised by how reasonable some bits are (not often though). My last Merc had keyless handles that just loved failing. Genuine Mercedes colour coded handles were £125 each.

The power steering pump was £700 and the rack was £2400 among a long list, but at least the bloody handles were reasonable. lol.

 

Is that so the painted finish is level all around as to being painted off the car? It does make sense to do it that way but I wonder if you'll even notice anything from behind the handle.

 

£125 does seem rather reasonable compared the the other prices!

 

On 06/09/2020 at 19:00, facet edge said:

@SomethingSuperbly

Have you tried https://www.breakerlink.com/?code_no=10002=word=carpart_posttown&code_no=10002&gclid=CjwKCAjwkdL6BRAREiwA-kiczOnkFsjGKXzmhJY9S97WD1a3jBBaUWl-jtWuDcJQiK3EYBRUNd3E3BoCjzIQAvD_BwE

I got one for my focus there a few years ago.

Got three offers from different breakers.

 

I actually tried that website a week ago for something else but didn't have any luck. I'll try again though and see what comes from it. Thanks for reminding me!

1 hour ago, SomethingSuperbly said:

 

Is that so the painted finish is level all around as to being painted off the car? It does make sense to do it that way but I wonder if you'll even notice anything from behind the handle.

 

£125 does seem rather reasonable compared the the other prices!

 

 

I actually tried that website a week ago for something else but didn't have any luck. I'll try again though and see what comes from it. Thanks for reminding me!

I find it to be just an all round better and more even job without the risk of edges on the rear of the handle.

Door handles are very easily removed BTW