Date:         Tue, 30 Nov 2021 20:52:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Painting black Vanagon Door Handles
Comments: To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <1567297488.772724.1638321694418@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi Richard,

Sand the handles down well, then clean with wax and grease remover.  Hit with a great black epoxy enamel primer, then hit with the satin black top coat.  

My handles and black work has lasted for years via this method.

Hope this helps!

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Richard Koerner
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 8:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Painting black Vanagon Door Handles

A mundane topic....but it bugs me.  How to correctly paint "Satin Black" onto door handles, so that they last.  Anybody do this?  I have failed on numerous attempts.  I think it was because I was impatient.  I "think" the proper procedure would be to sand down to mostly bare metal.  Clean with acetone.  Light spray of self-etching primer.  Bake in 250 °F kitchen oven?  Lightly sand....then second coat...and second bake.  Another light sanding.  Then, a light coat of quality Satin Black rattle can; followed 20 minutes later by another coat of Satin Black rattle can.  Bake again in oven, maybe for a few hours.  Handles would be propped up appropriately on piece of wood.  No...I don't want to go the powder coat way....too costly and worried about messing up internal lock mechanisms and cooking old lubricants.  Any tips?  I have tried to shortcut the procedure, only to have to do over.