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Latest Mod--Painted Grab Handles

S

spectron65

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
570
Did my latest mod today--very easy!

Next step in the "red-on-blue" theme of my new Av is painting the integrated rear grab handles with Aztec Red Duplicolor.

1. Each grab handle is secured by 3 Torx bolts. You need to open the rear side compartment door in order to gain access to 2 of them or your Torx driver will be impeded.

2. Just do the usual sand, layer, and clear coat. Then reattach for a completely new look to the cargo panels.
For most people, you will probably want to match the color of your AV. I feel that the AV has so many unique features (like the grab handles) that they need to stand out a little versus the factory (blahh) black color.


Here is a pic of the 2 grab handles out...

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Here is a pic of the naked grab handle compartment...

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Spray painting in process...

Oh I am so getting good at this!

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Now that's something I hadn't thought of, BUT I LIKE IT.
Great idea Spectron. :D

Vetman
 
Never conform.

Dare to be different.

Let your imagination run (not walk) wild!

That pretty much sums me up.


Last pic...(side view)


Hope you guys have as much fun as I am having.



P.S. My father in law has a kick AZ (poetic license) sander in his garage. I have already removed the 2 tow hooks in the front and I am planning to paint them Royal Blue. Pics to come shortly...

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With all the stuff I've painted on this truck....it never occured to me to paint them. Nice work dude! (y)

I'm not going to bother though since I've all ready removed one for my flag holder. I'm thinking the other one is going soon too.
 
This raises a question I've had for a while. My truck is Sunset Orange, and I have the small touch up bottles. Does GM sell the paint any other way? Naturally I could buy some made up at the body shop, but then I'd need to get a full paint setup for my compressor. Does GM sell spray can paint like duplicolor? Sunset Orange isn't that common, and I have not been able to get a Duplicolor or Plasticoat touch up bottle either.
 
DaveP28 said:
This raises a question I've had for a while. My truck is Sunset Orange, and I have the small touch up bottles. Does GM sell the paint any other way? Naturally I could buy some made up at the body shop, but then I'd need to get a full paint setup for my compressor. Does GM sell spray can paint like duplicolor? Sunset Orange isn't that common, and I have not been able to get a Duplicolor or Plasticoat touch up bottle either.
Click to expand...

You are right--that is a tough question.

Sunset Orange may be just a "term" invented by GM to set its colors apart. It may actually be a common orange that is made by paint makers like Sherwin Williams, etc.

Call your dealer tomorrrow.
Call local car body paint shops specializing in insurance type repairs--after all, if your AV was in an accident, they would have to repaint it, right?

Finally, go to Krylon.com
Check out their website.

I have a bit of an assignment myself becaue I just found out that Krylon makes a special clear reflective spray.
It is basically a clear coat spray embedded with tiny glass beads. When you spray it on any surface, the original surface is not altered but at night, when any reflective light shines on the part you just painted with this "Reflect-A-Lite", it reflects back the original color!

I am planning to coat my red tail gate handle with this--but so far I have called several places and none of them carry it. it must be really new.

Krylon also makes a new paint series called the "Fusion" paint line--specifically designed for plastic without sanding or priming needed.

Good luck Dave P28--keep us posted.
 
Thanks, I'll start looking into it. There are a lot of details like the Grab Handles and that line in the cladding of the doors that I would like to paint.
 
Dang, spectron, you are brave! I mean, I don't know if I'd have the guts to paint the handles red (on a blue AV, as mine is also blue). That might be a bit too showy for my tastes. But your painting prowess is showing! I might try it with a silver or blue. I'm still trying to think of what my third color will be. I've got Blue Indigo, 02 cladding color, and ???. Obvously a third color is needed (like the tertiary color in NBA uniforms... but what with blue/grey?

Brendan
 
Brendan,

It's nice to know somebody else is following my train of thought.

Yes, the red on blue is not for everyone--but if you see my AV in person I think you will be pretty impressed. This is just a phase I am going through with the AV's first year. Next year, it will be repainted with one of your choices: blue or silver.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results of either color. Your AV will rock!

Prior to this, I haven't painted anything in my life. My limited knowledge is provided by my wife (who is the painting expert). She can wield a can of Rust-O-Leum like nobody else.
 
Any idea of who makes a good match to the 02 Indigo Blue? I like the idea of painting pieces but would be skeptical about the paint not matching. Also, what do you use to sand the parts prior to painting? I'm still a little sketchy about screwing up and having to buy replacement parts!
 
chevroletavalanche said:
What would be a good color to paint? The avalanche is dark gray.
Click to expand...

The O3 dark metallic gray is almost black.
Since the grab handles are black, they automatically match the onyx black and dk metallic grey AVs.

Unless of course you go crazy and paint it...............*


(* fill in the blank)
 
Spect, Dude:
when I saw the thread and the first picture I said oh brother what is this guy doing now.
But Damn that looks hot I have the LPM and it has the red Z71 I'm waiting for the red paint for the cladding letters and I have the tailgate letters in red I wonder if I should paint those grab handles also
 
Go for it...

Do you think the red Z66 decal goes well with that shiny silver? I think so.

I think this looks hot...

...so will red against pewter--the contrast is going to be unbelievable.

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Spectron,

Looks nice. I had a handle off yesterday IOT wire up a bed light switch. I want to replace those cheep torx head fasteners with stainless cap screws.

Aloha,
Murman :cool:
 
DaveP28 said:
This raises a question I've had for a while. My truck is Sunset Orange, and I have the small touch up bottles. Does GM sell the paint any other way? Naturally I could buy some made up at the body shop, but then I'd need to get a full paint setup for my compressor. Does GM sell spray can paint like duplicolor? Sunset Orange isn't that common, and I have not been able to get a Duplicolor or Plasticoat touch up bottle either.
Click to expand...

Well, this item at Harbor Freight might be of use to you. Also try searching there for "spray gun". They have some pretty inexpensive guns that would probably be just fine for light duty work like this.
 
brmiller said:
?I've got Blue Indigo, 02 cladding color, and ???. ?Obvously a third color is needed

Brendan
Click to expand...


I called the dealer today. They sell original GM spray paint cans in all AV colors. My dealer charges about $8 bucks per 5 oz spray paint can.

The part # for an indigo blue paint can is 12345994


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MurmanZ71 said:
Spectron,
?I want to replace those cheep torx head fasteners with stainless cap screws.

Aloha,
Murman :cool:
Click to expand...


I just painted mine to match the grab handle. Here is a pic. I painted just one screw to show difference against the unpainted ones.

Sorry about quality of pic. I exceeded the focusing field of the dig cam and the paint is still relatively wet. But it looks much better in person.

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