Door Handles - remove/paint???

The cheap looking black handles on my Titanium MZ3 are driving me nuts but I don't want chrome ones. I understand that the surrounds are relatively easy to remove (found instructions here) but read elsewhere that the handles are a PITA (have not found instructions yet). I was thinking that the surrounds could be removed and that the handles could be masked and painted while on the car.

What do you think about leaving the handles on while painting as described above?

I am also thinking about having the factory alarm system installed (or some other system). Do they have to remove the handles to install an alarm? If so, that would be the time to paint the handles. Not positive I will put an alarm on yet.

Originally Posted by MZNorth

The cheap looking black handles on my Titanium MZ3 are driving me nuts but I don't want chrome ones. I understand that the surrounds are relatively easy to remove (found instructions here) but read elsewhere that the handles are a PITA (have not found instructions yet). I was thinking that the surrounds could be removed and that the handles could be masked and painted while on the car.

What do you think about leaving the handles on while painting as described above?

I am also thinking about having the factory alarm system installed (or some other system). Do they have to remove the handles to install an alarm? If so, that would be the time to paint the handles. Not positive I will put an alarm on yet.

There is stellaralarms.com who makes a plug in alarm with keyless entry that requires little to install. Basically plugs in behind the glove box.

Originally Posted by bob lindquist

There is stellaralarms.com who makes a plug in alarm with keyless entry that requires little to install. Basically plugs in behind the glove box.

Excellent Thanks! Investigating...

I have the keyless door handle surround for my MC. It's being painted IR just like the car. The handles themselves will remain on the car while being masked off much like you described MZNorth. The surround will be painted off the car.

I went with the factory alarm because my dealer did the install for free but I seem to recall a discussion on the Stellar unit here or on Toadfly very recently.

If you pry the handle open in the up position you can do a decent paint job on the car. I don't like leaving a car anywhere, especially a body shop cause it takes for ever to get all the dust out.
The handle is held in place (once you get the assembly out) with a peened over pin.
If you go with the no keyhole surrounds you have to take out the handles to pull the cylinders.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/int...oor_panel.html

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/int...oor_panel.html

Thank you very much for the instructions!

That looks like a big job. If only I could get Titanium 354/7 in an aeosol can I could do the whole thing myslef.

Ron posted a lot about door handles. He installed ones without key holes. There are also special ones he makes engraved with coupe or other words on them. use search.

Originally Posted by bob lindquist

Ron posted a lot about door handles. He installed ones without key holes. There are also special ones he makes engraved with coupe or other words on them. use search.

Saw that but not removal instructions.