Door handle replacement or just paint?

[Tk288]

A piece of wood flew and hit my roof rack and the side of the door. Luckily, only the handle is damaged. It seems like it just scrape the paint off. Get a new door replacement (comes painted) or take it to the body shop to paint?

 

[IrishST]

Is it just the top surface of the paint, or is it gouged into the plastic? Might end up cheaper to replace the handle if it's more than just the surface.

 

[MKVIIST]

Looks like you can probably sand that down and paint it yourself.

 

[Chuckable]

Looks like the paint is gouged from the picture. Why not try to sand and paint it on your own for a few bucks (like MKVIIST said), and if you don't like the results then just buy a new pre-painted handle?

 

[Wimp Lo]

Just replace.

 

[BoostBumps]

http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint.asp

 

[Tk288]

Thanks everybody. The handle is fine, just the paint. I will look into getting some touch up paint. Btw, anybody know how to remove the door handle to make the painting process easier?

 

[IrishST]

Thanks everybody. The handle is fine, just the paint. I will look into getting some touch up paint. Btw, anybody know how to remove the door handle to make the painting process easier?

I've never removed the handle on a Fiesta, but have removed plenty of others in my time. It's usually not that hard, but can be a pain depending on how tight it is and the clip scenario. In my experience you have remove the door trim and then reach inside to unclip the rods that actually open the door when you pull the handle. There should be a couple nuts attaching the handle assembly to the door and once you've taken them out and unclipped any rods it should pop out. Be careful though because there might be additional retention clips keeping the handle in place and you don't want to break them.

 

[Wimp Lo]

If you go to the trouble of removing the handle, look at the time you save and the risk of a bad touch up you avoid if you can get a factory painted new or used part.

At least look at the cost of new vs the cost of touch up paint.