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Door Handle Bowl Cover

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by Salamander_King, Mar 6, 2020.

  1. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I recently traded in Magnetic Gray 2017 PRIME Premium to same color Magnetic Gray 2020 PRIME LE. My 30 months old 2017 had numerous micro scratches and scuffs that were highly visible on dark color paint on the door handle bowl. The scratches weren't very deep but regular wax did not hide them effectively like normal swirl marks. I don't usually pay much attention to detailing of my car, but I have learned from last few car buying at the dealer that the cosmetic appearance affects the trade-in value tremendously.

    To prevent such scratches and scuffs developing onto my new 2020 PRIME, I ordered protective films shown in the photo below. I also ordered cheaper clear film type as well. They have not arrived yet. But have anyone tried using those films? How long do they last? What was your experience and opinion? Any other effective preventative measures to protect paint scratch on the door handle bowl?

    upload_2020-3-6_9-29-57.png
     
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  2. DBLXX

    DBLXX Member

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    Looking forward to seeing the live photos.
     
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I had clear film out on the doors for the wife's 2017 RX450h:).

    They help, but the only concern (not mine) is that you can notice the edges of the film when dirty:cool:.

    But if you're into that level of detail, the scratches might be a worse outcome;).

    It does protect the paint though(y).
     
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  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    OK, that's assuring. Yeah, I know those stickers don't really enhance the beauty of the car while I am owning the car. I am only interested in protecting the paint for ~3 years or so. After removal, I want to have a pristine look when I am ready to trade in again. ;)

    Now, I have to look for something to protect that "glass jaw" front bumper cover. I know that crack on my 2017 PRIME was a major deduction on the trade-in value.
     
  5. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    I’ve been concerned about ... or “annoyed with” ... exactly this, so thanks for researching this!

    I’m not sure whether a carbon-fiber look would make sense for pearl-white. Hopefully they have other colors?

    There are two other places where something broadly of this nature would be welcome:
    * To the upper-left of the charge door, where my fingernails hit the fender panel above/left of it upon opening the door.
    * The front-side cup-holder inside the moonstone-interior cabin: The front edge is scratched now, as are the two spring tabs — scratched by the Coke cans I put in there.
     
  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yap, there are different colors available. Or for white car, clear sticker maybe the best. In any case, it will not make the car look better with sticker on, but I am hoping it will save paint underneath unscratched. Actually, my 30 month old 2017 PRIME paint on most of body parts were pretty good. I did not have much other scratches or scuffs or paint pitting even though I have never waxed my car for entire duration of my owner ship. The the handle bowl must be scratched from nails and gloved hands.
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I've seen clear ones on older Lexus models that have yellowed so maybe go with a different design.
     
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Depends on if your needs are form or function;).

    Even if it yellows, it's still there:).

    I'm function all the way(y).
     
  9. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    In my case, where it’s in fact already scratched, I would need white, or some other color that goes well with pearl white, rather than transparent.
     
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  10. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    I have ordered very similar ones and tried on my Gen3 and on my "c"

    I tried one on each and the contour just didnt work out. so I pulled them off.

    Now, if I had the patience at the specific time, I could have got creative with a hair dryer
    and used more time to get everything perfect and such, but I didnt want to fuss.
    My cars are 5 years old, and I am not going to prevent anything that have not been done already.

    I can only say on my blizzard pearl and moon glow (pretty much same colors) that
    even being into detailing and cleaning my cars to the next level....I dont have really
    any noticeable scratches/damage. Maybe just the color helps.

    Just be very patient when installing and possibly have that hair dryer on you belt holster! :sneaky:
     
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  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yeah, if it is already scratched and you want to hide blemishes to make it look better, then rather than cheap sticker kind, there are molded ABS cover that supposed to fit PRIME door handle bowl. I just don't know how the fitment is. If I am keeping the car for longer than 10 years, I would not even bother with it. But $10-$20 protective cover is cheap enough investment to protect the paint that will return hundreds of $$$ more when trading in early.
    Screenshot 2020-03-06 at 5.18.40 PM.png
     
  12. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    This sounds perfect for me!

    Are you seeing this on ... Amazon, or where?

    How do they attach?
     
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  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I assume they attach with double-sided adhesive tape. The one in the photo is from eBay. ABS Chrome Door Handle Bowl Cover Trim 4pcs For Toyota Prius Prime / PHV 17-18 | eBay

    I only see chrome finish ones, not in other colors, but there may be some other colors. I am sure similar ones in Amazon too. The only thing is that most of those come from China. So, it may take awhile to get here.
     
    #13 Salamander_King, Mar 7, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2020
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  14. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That black carbon fiber would look great on my red Prime!!! Cheap, too. It's too late for protecting the paint, but at least it'll hide the little scratches already there. Oddly, it's only the two right side doors that are scratched.
     
  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I just ordered a set. They say they'll be here by Saturday April 4. Got any pictures yet of yours?
     
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  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    No, not the sticker type I ordered. The sticker type I got from an eBay seller was supposed to be exact cut size to fit on PRIME, but the one I received was so small, it did not cover the entire bowl. I never put them on my car. :(

    Screenshot 2020-03-30 at 6.51.10 PM.png

    Screenshot 2020-03-30 at 6.50.51 PM.png

    Instead of trying to get the right size sticker, I ended up ordering plastic cover type direct from China. I splurged and bought both handle cover and handle bowl cover in matching carbon fiber pattern. Quite a bit more expensive than the sticker type, but I do like the looks.
    Screenshot 2020-03-30 at 7.00.15 PM.png
     
    #17 Salamander_King, Mar 30, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2020
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  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Oh my!! Those are small. I have some black matte vinyl. Maybe I'll use the Ebay ones to help me make a pattern to cut some out of that stuff. I just like the carbon fiber look.
     
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  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I think buying 3M™ Wrap Film Series 1080 in bulk and cut it to size would be much economical. I just don't know if I can cut to the size to fit and affix onto a round concave handle bowl surface satisfactorily. The door handle is in a way to do extensive manipulation. I figured plastic applique type cover would be much easier to install. Let us know how your installation goes.
     
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Will do. The stuff I have is what I used to stop the glare on my highly reflective dash area above the glove box door. It had to conform to some fairly extreme contours. It took a while for the last two most stubborn bubbles to stay gone, but for the past nine months, it's been looking like it came from the factory with a matte finish.
     
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