Chrome Pillars and Chrome Door Handles

[Boo]

Originally Posted by fintonissimo

I really like the look of the chrome wheelskins with the door handles, and have been thinking of doing the same. I already have the chrome wheelskins.

I was wondering if there is a difference in the quality of the various chrome door handles (after market covers) out there. I see some are around $75, and then others on eBay for around $10 plus shipping.
Does anybody know, are these different brands all about the same, or is there really a difference in quality with the higher priced items? Will the cheaper ones last and fit just as well as the more expensive ones?

I got the ones that cost $10 plus $15 shipping. I got mine from here:

Toyota 04-08 Prius NHW20 Chrome Door Handle Smart Key:eBay Motors (item 250504093017 end time Oct-24-09 22:26:31 PDT)

Make sure you get the right ones -- they come with or without Smart Key.

In terms of quality, they're not great. I had to add another layer of foam tape to the little end pieces (not the handle covers) because there wasn't enough profile to the original foam tape on these pieces to touch/stick to the car. Also, the finish on the edges could better. (I think the finish on the Chrome Wheelskins is much better.) But they look fine, and overall I'm very pleased with the purchase. My guess is I might get bored with them before they wear out. For me, at $10 versus $75 there was no contest.

Here's another photo of my Prius with both the Chrome Wheelskins and the chrome door handles:

[hgdempsey]

Originally Posted by Rxmxsh

Once you added the rims, it completed the look. I didn't like it until after the rims. Cool look.

I agree the Rims give it a finished look.

[patsparks]

You bugger Boo, now I have spent more money on my car.

Ordered.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

I've seen this pic from a ebay seller and I think it is "over-chromed". The triangle window in the back can not be chromed because it is all glass. If you really wanted to, I guess you could over the glass but it won't level with the others.

Someone could make a stick on window surround for the back windows. Seeing this I think just the door handles. I have ordered door handles overlays.

[fintonissimo]

[QUOTE=Boo;986895]I got the ones that cost $10 plus $15 shipping. I got mine from here:

Toyota 04-08 Prius NHW20 Chrome Door Handle Smart Key:eBay Motors (item 250504093017 end time Oct-24-09 22:26:31 PDT)

Boo/Tom, Thanks for your response and for posting your picture. This is the same chrome handle that I was considering buying. It looks fine on your car.

Because of the fit, did you have any trouble mounting it so that it was flush with the original handle, or any problems making it straight? You mentioned having to add some extra tape for the small piece. Is everything still holding together solidly, or do the pieces wiggle at all?

Thanks, Chuck

[patsparks]

Non Smartkey cost only $5.00 plus $15 shipping.

[djasonw]

That stuff you add on is merely cheap plastic that looks like chrome at those prices. I installed chrome (really plastic) rails on roof of the Prius and that was the extent of my mods. When you start adding too much bling it says GHETTO.

[tredstone]

Agree, it's easy to overdo chrome. If you look at Lexus cars they usually just have chrome on the door handles and a small amount on the window trim.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by fintonissimo

Boo/Tom, Thanks for your response and for posting your picture. This is the same chrome handle that I was considering buying. It looks fine on your car.

Because of the fit, did you have any trouble mounting it so that it was flush with the original handle, or any problems making it straight? You mentioned having to add some extra tape for the small piece. Is everything still holding together solidly, or do the pieces wiggle at all?

Thanks, Chuck

No, I had no problem mounting the covers flush. Even though I added the extra layer of auto foam tape to the little end pieces, they mounted flush with the longer door handle pieces. Also, no problems so far with everything holding together solidly.

[fintonissimo]

Originally Posted by Boo

No, I had no problem mounting the covers flush. Even though I added the extra layer of auto foam tape to the little end pieces, they mounted flush with the longer door handle pieces. Also, no problems so far with everything holding together solidly.

Thanks again for answering my question. I'm willing now to take the $25 risk! Because I installed a slightly different shade of silver for the side molding, I think the door handles would look better if they matched the body side molding color, or matched the chrome of the wheelskins. Right now, because they don't match either, it looks slightly off to me. I will soon be able to see if my theory is correct! Here is a picture of my car as it is right now.