The main reason why you may want to plasti dip the door handles is because the paint on them may have started fading.
That is bound to happen because door handles are exposed to a lot of traffic, especially on the driver and co-driver sides. Plasti Dip has proven itself an excellent automotive coating in the past few years.
If you are wondering whether you can spray plasti dip on the door handles, here is an in-depth guide on all you need to know about plasti dipping door handles.
Is It Possible to Plasti Dip Door Handles?
It’s possible. Plasti dip can be sprayed on nearly all car surfaces ranging from rims and bumpers to door handles.
Plasti dip is available in a wide range of colors, you can therefore find a color that matches your vehicle, or you can be creative and go with a completely different color.
It’s okay to spray plasti dip on door handles. But should you do it? That’s where it gets a little bit complicated.
Reasons Why Car Owners Spray Plasti Dip on Door Handles
Before we even look at some of the concerns associated with spraying plasti dip on the door handle, we should figure out the reasons why someone would engage in such a project in the first place.
There are two main reasons car owners spray plasti dip on the door handles. These reasons include;
1. To Remedy Worn Out Paint on the Door Handles
The door handles are exposed to a lot of traffic. They are often opened and closed. On the areas of the door handles that make contact with your hands, you may notice a fade in the paint job.
Car paint is often very durable, and the fading may occur, later on, years after you buy a car. Whenever they appear, you have got two options.
Either re-paint the door handles with quality paint. Or, you can spray a special coating such as plasti dip. The latter is much easier to do than painting the door handles.
You will see that when we discuss how to plasti dip door handles.
2. For Customization Purposes
The other reason you may want to plasti dip door handles is to customize the car’s look. Have you ever seen cars with door handles painted in a different color?
With plasti dip, you can practice your creativity and see how your car would look if the handles were painted a different color.
For those who own show cars, you can use plasti dip to enhance the aesthetics of the color. One of the advantages of using plasti dip for such a project is that it can be peeled off easily.
Also, it’s very easy to spray plasti dip than it is to paint door handles.
Will Plasti Dip Hold on Car Door Handles?
Spraying Plasti Dip on door handles is easy. The problem is – will it hold? Plasti dip is designed to last for three years. It’s not a permanent coating. Therefore, it will wear out after some time.
The door handles are touched daily. It’s the only way people can get inside cars. Because of the friction, these handles are exposed to. The plasti dip wouldn’t hold on for very long.
When you spray plasti dip on a bumper, an area that rarely receives any friction unless, from road debris and contaminants, it will last for a year or two.
When sprayed on an area such as the door handles, plasti dip will only last for a few months. After some time, it will start to peel off. Whenever you touch the door handles, you will see traces of rubber left behind.
Plasti dip on door handles works great as a part-time solution for faded paint or decorative purposes. However, it is not a solution to your paint wear problems.
If you own a show car and want to experiment with how black or red handles would look, plasti dip is a great option. But, if you are interested in a permanent solution, you should look for other options.
How to Plasti Dip Door Handles?
Now that you know what plasti dip can do to your door handles, it’s time to learn how to spray it correctly. To help you with that, here is a quick guide on how to plasti dip door handles.
Step 1 – Clean the door handles.
Plasti dip holds on much better on clean and dry surfaces. Contaminants may ruin the finish of plasti dip. Therefore, you should start your project by thoroughly cleaning the handles. You can let them dry or speed up the drying process using a blow dryer.
Step 2 – Spread Masking Tape on the Areas Around the Door Handles
Unlike painting, you may have to remove the handles from the door. With plasti dip, there is no need for that. You need to apply some masking tape around the door handle.
This will ensure the plasti dip doesn’t stain the surrounding areas. You will need to be very careful when doing this.
Step 3 – Shake the can and spray the contents on the door handles
When the door handles have been prepared, what follows is spraying the plasti dip. Hold the can at least eight inches away from the handles and spray even coats on the door handles.
Make sure that every part of the handle is covered with plasti dip. A spray can make it easy for you to apply the plasti dip. Because the door handles are a high-friction area, we would recommend spraying at least three coats.
The more coats you apply, the more the plasti dip will hold to the door handles. Spraying more coats also makes it easier for you to peel the plasti dip whenever you decide to remove it.
Once you are done with the application, you can finalize by removing the masking tape and letting the rubber coating dry.
✔ All-Weather Protection – Shields surfaces from moisture, acids, corrosion, vibration, and heat, while remaining flexible and durable in extreme conditions.
✔ Non-Slip Grip & Comfort – Adds a soft-touch, non-slip coating ideal for tools, handles, car parts, and more—improves both comfort and control.
✔ Peelable & Removable – Easily removes without damage when you're ready to restore the original surface—great for temporary coatings or customization.
✔ Sound & Shock Dampening – Helps reduce noise, electrical shock risk, and minor vibrations, making it ideal for DIY automotive and workshop use.
✔ Versatile Use Cases – Perfect for wheels, badges, tools, and trim, or for protecting electronics, metal, glass, rubber, and more.
Plasti Dip vs. Painting Door Handles vs. Plastic Restorer
Plasti dip is an excellent rubber coating to use on door handles. However, as we have seen above, it isn’t permanent. Unless you want to be spraying it now and then, you should look at more permanent solutions.
The first alternative to plasti dipping door handles is painting them. Paint is a better option if your door handles are made of metal alloys.
Quality paint can last for much longer than plasti dip when applied correctly. It’s your best bet if you are interested in a permanent solution to your faded door handles.
The only problem with painting door handles is that it will take more time, and the process is a bit more complicated.
If you decide to paint the door handles, you will have to remove them. Sand the paint that’s already there, apply primer, and then paint it with several coats.
After that, you should add a clear coat. The process is a bit longer, but it will look better and last longer than plasti dip.
✔ 2K Two-Component Formula – Combines hardener and clearcoat in one aerosol for professional-grade results without a spray gun.
✔ High Gloss, Long-Lasting Finish – Flows smoothly and dries to a durable, mirror-like shine that resists weather and chemicals.
✔ Exceptional Scratch & Abrasion Resistance – Offers maximum protection for basecoats with a tough, resilient surface.
✔ Easy to Use – Activate, shake, and spray with the unique nozzle that mimics a spray gun for even coverage and smooth flow.
✔ Ideal for Automotive Applications – Perfect for cars, motorcycles, and touch-ups, compatible with all basecoat systems.
The other option is to use a plastic restorer. It’s not very common, but it works wonders in restoring faded paint on plastic door handles. With a plastic paint restorer, the application process is similar to plasti dip.
Out of these three options, painting is the best alternative. It is, however more complex. Many car owners prefer plasti dip, but you can be assured that it will not last for very long.
✔ Restores Like-New Finish – Bring faded, weathered trim back to life with a rich, deep black finish that enhances your vehicle’s exterior instantly.
✔ Long-Lasting UV Protection – Advanced formula shields plastic and vinyl trim from sun damage and discoloration, keeping your car looking sharp longer.
✔ Water-Resistant Shine – Designed to withstand rain, washes, and daily driving while maintaining its rich gloss and restored appearance for weeks.
✔ Easy to Use – Simply apply with a clean applicator pad or cloth—no streaking, dripping, or greasy residue. Perfect for bumpers, mirror housings, moldings, and more.
Will Plasti Dip Match the Color of My Previous Door Handles?
It will be hard for you to find a plasti dip color that exactly matches the paint on your door handles. Plasti dip is made in general colors such as black, white, and red.
Car paints are available in various shades, which you can only know by checking the VIN. From plasti dip, you may not get the ideal match, but you can get something close. If you want a perfect match, you will have to paint the door handles.
Should I Get New Handles Instead?
If your handles are fading out, chances are they are pretty old. If that’s the case, they have probably stopped working as great as they did. For door handles that function with much difficulty and are faded, replacing them can be a great idea.
A can of plasti dip costs around $10. A new set of door handles can cost around $20 to $100, depending on the model of the vehicle.
At times, especially if the door handles are extremely worn out, replacing them is better than spraying plasti dip.
When you replace door handles, they will come with a factory-new paint job that will last for years before it fades. Secondly, you won’t run into any issues such as stuck doors or locking difficulties.
But if your door handles are in great shape, you can spray plasti dip or quality paint.
Will Plasti Dip Look Great on My Door Handle?
Plasti Dip, despite being a rubber coating. It looks pretty decent. Spraying it on your door handles will improve the faded finish with something newer and better.
How great it will look will depend on the color you buy. You need to get a color that matches the paint job of your car.