Help removing exterior door handles please?

[Zendrumdude]

Hello,

I would like to remove my door handles to paint them. Can anyone tell me how to do so? I am really hoping not to have to remove the interior panel, but that may be wishful thinking...

Thank you in advance!

Jer

[mlt]

The very beginning of this procedure may help taligentx.com: Passat - Door Lock Mechanism Repair . You do not have to remove any interior panel, but handle itself.

• remove rubber cap from the side and loosen the bolt
• remove the lock cylinder (or stub from the passenger's side)
• remove lock release cable from the handle

[davidhill]

Actually,the handles are attached with large rivets.I change them occasionally in the body shop.Start by knocking the center of the rivets out with a narrow center punch.Then drill through the center with a bit size around 3/8 inch.Install the new handle with bolts with washers.A trip to the hardware store for the bolts is worth the time.Get 1/4-20 thread,1/2 inch length bolts with nuts and flat washers.May I helped you!!