Color match tailgate handle

I priced out color matching my tailgate handle since Toyota doesn't make one and at over $300 I decided to do it myself since I have spray equipment (but you could do it with a disposable preval setup (http://preval.com/pro-solutions/pro-automotive/automotive-in-the-field/).
Supplies:
220 grit sandpaper
"Bullfrog" adhesion promoter for plastic
2 part epoxy primer
Color matching paint (local automotive paint store with your paint code inside the door panel)
2 part clear coat


Before/after


I taped off the backup camera lens and sprayed the body so it didn't look like a hack job. I sprayed up inside the back of the handle and main latch body passages so I didn't get dark reflective shadows.


Finished piece


Going for a clean look with all the badges stripped off and now a color match tailgate handle.
What do you think?

 

Perfect... I can tell the difference between your truck and mine in a parking lot. LOL

 

Nicely done!

 

DIY'ers:
#1 rule: Your finish will only be as good as your prep...
220 sand, acetone wipe
Bullfrog: 2 coats, 5 minutes between 1st & 2nd coat, 10 minutes between 2nd coat & 2 part primer
2 Part epoxy primer: 2 wet coats minimum, 4 hours between coats, re-sand after 24 hours
Color match: 2-3 wet coats (4-24 hours after epoxy primer otherwise re-sand) 15 minutes between color coats
2 part UV protective clear: 1-2 wet coats, 30 minutes after color coat, 4-24 hours between coats, 24-48 hour full cure before re-install
NOTE: DO NOT TOUCH PAINT BETWEEN COATS! This is a wet on wet process, You will put a finger print in the paint and will need to wait 24 hours to lightly sand and start over.
If it looks good, it is!
If you have your act together you could get it done over the weekend by doing your prep and 1st coat of paint Friday.

 

where did the embossed Toyota on the handle go?

 

If its gone ,that's a fail IMHO..

 

Grinding dust... LOL
In an effort to personalize a "clean" looking truck, all branding has been removed (badges, TRD sticker, and all things "Leer"). My TRD Pro grille still has the "TOYOTA" but I've ordered a royal core grille insert so that will be going away soon too. Still have "TUNDRA" on the tailgate, not an easy removal. The wheels have "TRD" caps. Don't get me wrong... 4th Toyota and love this Tundra! Call me an extremist... It's all part of being cursed with a type "A" personality. LOL

 

Props man, it turned out great. I want to do mine eventually as well, color matched looks tons better. Fortunately I don't have to worry about removing the toyota lettering.
Now that yours is over a year old, how is it holding up?

 

A body shop quoted you $300 just to paint that??

 

I like it.Thought about doing that to mine . Maybe 1 day

 

Would you be willing to do mine for me?? ill pay you of course. Need it done in super white

 

you are responding to a thread from 2016. The person that started this tread has not logged into tundras since 2016 either

 

yeah you're right... still not much out there on the net for changing the tail gate handle.