Paint coming off of door handle area

jakepeters · 07-10-2011, 11:26 AM

2004 Silver WRX wagon

This paint condition started about 2 years ago.

It is like the paint is wearing off of the top edge of the door handle module, but obviously there is no mechanical wear in this area.

It seems like weather and/or sun damage is causing the paint to fail. All 4 door handles have this issue.

Q1) Any ideas on how to fix this or minimize further loss of paint?

Q2) Anyone else experience this issue?

Trying to patch paint a metallic paint has never worked for me. The change in the "color" and the transitions are both horrible.

Thanks,

JP

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Brock31 · 08-11-2011, 03:39 PM

Bump ....

I was going to post a thread with the EXACT same issue.

This is also on a 2004 PSM wagon. My problem seems to be isolated to the drivers side for some reason. There is no opportunity for any abbrasion of any sort that would cause my paint to wear off like this. It does seem to be sun or weather related.

I have thought about touch up paint, but that would end up looking crappy.

Can these plastic parts of the door be replaced separately?

tdlng777 · 08-12-2011, 07:31 AM

mine does it on the door handle where ive opened the door thousands of times and its just the way my hand rubs the handle. i have an 02 psm. They make a color match for psm and you dont have to clear coat it.

you can also buy a replacement handle....

the color code is 01G. paintscratch.com sells stuff too

Brock31 · 08-12-2011, 12:43 PM

Do you have to buy the whole handle or can just the "surround" area be purchased?

Vew · 08-16-2011, 04:42 PM

Happened to my car and my buddy's PSM 05 too. It's inevitable. Pull it off and repaint it. I had one replaced under warranty. Just came back a few years later.

Ernest · 08-16-2011, 09:02 PM

Me too. 04 PSM wagon. As a DD it does not bother me.

340Duster · 08-16-2011, 09:10 PM

You don't need to buy new door handles, as they're not going to come painted out of the box. If you can't deal with the down time, buy some from a junkyard and have a local body shop spray them, it'll probably cost a few hundred bucks tops.

Mine are doing the same thing, well the rear driver's side. It looks like crap up close

07-10-2011, 11:26 AM	#1
jakepeters Scooby Newbie Member#: 34040 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon Silvah	Paint coming off of door handle area 2004 Silver WRX wagon This paint condition started about 2 years ago. It is like the paint is wearing off of the top edge of the door handle module, but obviously there is no mechanical wear in this area. It seems like weather and/or sun damage is causing the paint to fail. All 4 door handles have this issue. Q1) Any ideas on how to fix this or minimize further loss of paint? Q2) Anyone else experience this issue? Trying to patch paint a metallic paint has never worked for me. The change in the "color" and the transitions are both horrible. Thanks, JP * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by jakepeters; 07-10-2011 at 01:39 PM.

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08-11-2011, 03:39 PM	#2
Brock31 Scooby Specialist Member#: 128115 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Wilmington, NC Vehicle: 2004 4EAT Wagon PSM enginuity is cool	Bump .... I was going to post a thread with the EXACT same issue. This is also on a 2004 PSM wagon. My problem seems to be isolated to the drivers side for some reason. There is no opportunity for any abbrasion of any sort that would cause my paint to wear off like this. It does seem to be sun or weather related. I have thought about touch up paint, but that would end up looking crappy. Can these plastic parts of the door be replaced separately?

08-12-2011, 07:31 AM	#3
tdlng777 Scooby Newbie Member#: 171821 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lafayette IN Vehicle: 54 Chieftain	mine does it on the door handle where ive opened the door thousands of times and its just the way my hand rubs the handle. i have an 02 psm. They make a color match for psm and you dont have to clear coat it. you can also buy a replacement handle.... the color code is 01G. paintscratch.com sells stuff too

08-12-2011, 12:43 PM	#4
Brock31 Scooby Specialist Member#: 128115 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Wilmington, NC Vehicle: 2004 4EAT Wagon PSM enginuity is cool	Do you have to buy the whole handle or can just the "surround" area be purchased?

08-16-2011, 04:42 PM	#5
Vew Scooby Specialist Member#: 74229 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Morgantown, WV Vehicle: 2004 WRX PSM	Happened to my car and my buddy's PSM 05 too. It's inevitable. Pull it off and repaint it. I had one replaced under warranty. Just came back a few years later.

08-16-2011, 09:02 PM	#6
Ernest Scooby Specialist Member#: 45076 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rockland County, NY Vehicle: 2004 Stg2 Wagon 4eat Silver	Me too. 04 PSM wagon. As a DD it does not bother me.

08-16-2011, 09:10 PM	#7
340Duster Scooby Specialist Member#: 52314 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Upstate South Carolina Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX 16G-XT '13 500 Abarth	You don't need to buy new door handles, as they're not going to come painted out of the box. If you can't deal with the down time, buy some from a junkyard and have a local body shop spray them, it'll probably cost a few hundred bucks tops. Mine are doing the same thing, well the rear driver's side. It looks like crap up close