Switching red door handles to black: best way to go about this?

[Allen Poe]

I've been toying with the idea of the throwing some black exterior door handles on my red FR-S for sometime, and recently decided it was a must-do after seeing black handles on a RS 1.0. Thing is, I'm not quite sure the best/most efficient route to go about this. I figure I have 4 options, each with its own pros and cons:

Door Handle Covers: probably the cheapest and easiest way to go about it, except I can't actually find any that are a gloss black. Only ones I'm finding are carbon fiber, which wouldn't exactly fit the red and black motif I have going.

Black OEM replacements: I could always order a set of black door handles from toyota/subaru and replace the ones I have in there now, but this would not only be the most expensive option, but also the most annoying option, as I've read removing the smart key sensor is an absolute bitch and a half.

Painting the handles black: Cheaper than replacing the handle outright, but more annoying as I'd still have to remove the sensor, AND worry about not doing a poor job painting the handles.

Plastidip the the handles: much less stressful than the previous 2 options, but I worry the constant touching of the door handles would cause them to peel rather quickly, rendering the entire process a waste of time.

Taking all of this in consideration, what would you the public say is the best route to follow?

Attached is a very rudimentary photoshop mockup of the look I'm going for

[DarkPira7e]

Plastidip is not an option for any surface that gets touched, I also would not paint them yourself, unless you're professional level; once it starts to chip and flake its all over. I'd consider finding black door handles and replace them outright, or get them vinyl wrapped.

Looks pretty cool, reminds me of the Evo RS' black handles.

[yelsew]

My recommendation is a good quality vinyl wrap. I've seen these cars fully wrapped in vinyl and it lasts for a decent amount of time (way better than a bad diy paint job or dip spray). Should be resistant enough on a "high touch" surface

[SCQTT]

Buy OE black ones. Might be expensive and a PITA, but it is the one that will have the most satisfying results.

Personally I think they are hidden well as body color. It you want some contrast make some black graphic in vinyl. IMHO it is the same as putting a cover on a fuel door, it is already well hidden, why draw attention to it? The profile view of the twin has been carefully sculpted to visually flow, that black door handle visually DEMANDS your immediate attention. Unless that is your goal.

[SCQTT]

Not horrible, until you get to the outlined door! WHY?

Personal preference, but that car would look way better without the outlined door.

[Allen Poe]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

Not horrible, until you get to the outlined door! WHY?

Personal preference, but that car would look way better without the outlined door.

Huh, outlined door? What are you talking about?

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by Allen Poe

Huh, outlined door? What are you talking about?

Lol, ERAs signature in his post, I thought he was posting an example of how to do contrasting colors......All good, but from a design standpoint that trim around the door.. each to his own.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Allen Poe

Huh, outlined door? What are you talking about?

I think he is talking about ERA's signature, which is a small toy car.

I would try vinyl wrapping them as suggest above. If that doesnt work for you, move on to a more expensive method.

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

I think he is talking about ERA's signature, which is a small toy car.

Lol, I guess that is a toy, damn.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

Personally I think they are hidden well as body color.

They are, until they get to be 6 years old like mine. The door handles have faded and are now a different shade of red. I've been thinking about wrapping mine in black as well (I happen to like the red/black look).

[churchx]

There is also another option for contrast. Not replacing the handle, but apply vinyl or alike in recessed rounded door area behind handle, so eg. red handle's stripe goes across black round area. Saw some garnishes (IIRC CF finish, not black though) like that selling here and there.

[SCQTT]

That looks epic! I love the Toyota colored stripe.

[Allen Poe]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

Lol, ERAs signature in his post, I thought he was posting an example of how to do contrasting colors......All good, but from a design standpoint that trim around the door.. each to his own.

Ooooooooh ok, I was lost for a second.
For the record, I too did not realize it was a toy (I'm on mobile and can only really glance at the thread here and there).

[Allen Poe]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

They are, until they get to be 6 years old like mine. The door handles have faded and are now a different shade of red. I've been thinking about wrapping mine in black as well (I happen to like the red/black look).

Yep. Outside of some paint chips I've already filled in, my paint has held up fairly well in this Vegas heat... except on my door handles. Looks like it's damage to the clear coat, and the base on the top side is faded to hell.