Door Handle Bowl Cover

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Here is the same one from Amazon. They do come from China.
www.amazon.com/HIGH-FLYING-Chrome-Handle-2016-2018/dp/B076WQ6838/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Door+Handle+Bowl+Cover+Toyota+Prius+Prime&qid=1583586004&sr=8-5

 

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.





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.

 

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.