The swing out handle to our RV was starting to look pretty worn out. Instead of replacing it, you know we did it the RV DIY way!
The whole process was easier than you may think and was done while traveling, with half the work done at our free camping spot in Levelland, Texas and a majority of the other half the work (after the paint fully cured) done at a Walmart on the way to the Waylon Jennings RV Park in Littlefield, Texas.
Here’s how easy it is to make your RV door handle look like shiny new!
What we used:
- Rust-oleum Satin White Spray Paint
- Black & Decker Matrix Drill
- Black & Decked Wire Brush Drill Attachment
Our door handle, ready to start it’s new life
Four Screws, two on each side, need to be removed. Once removed, the black cover on the front will come right off (you may have to pry at it a bit with your fingernail).
Now, using a socket or wrench, remove the nut on this spring loaded bolt. Be careful that the spring doesn’t pop off and get away from you – its not under much tension, but springs will be springs. Once removed, the bolt will pull out. Repeat for the top portion of the handle, and the handle can be removed.
You’ll want to remove any rust/oxidation, and knock off any blemishes that would make a bump in your new paint. We used our freaking awesome Black & Decker Matrix Drill, and a Black & Decker wire brush attachment. Black & Decker – if you’re reading this, we use a lot of your stuff. You should consider sponsoring… Just saying.
Pop off these black caps on each end, then, the rusty spots like the one seen here should be cleaned to the bare metal.
Clean the bar off, we used rubbing alcohol, and paint it whatever color you would like with a good paint, like Rust-oleum.
After the paint dries, add a clear coat if you’d like, and do the reverse of the above to put everything back together.
You’re done! You have a great new looking handle, for only a few bucks.
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