Sending the surround off to be paint matched tomorrow and would like to get the handle removed for the shop. It’s clear how the handle is attached, see picture, but those pins holding it in are freaking in there. Any tips on how to remove them without breaking the fragile plastic around it?

 

Just remove both pins. I did it on 2 handles, didn't break anything, pay attention to how the springs are in there.

 

I’m putting as much force on the pins as I can but they aren’t budging. How did you get yours out?

 

I remember using like channel locks and using the plastic near the end of the pin for leverage. It was over a year ago so I may be wrong. I placed them over the pin and plastic it goes through and got them started that way

 

Thank you sir, that did the trick. Those pins have splines on the front side that dig into the plastic so they stay put, that’s why they are so hard to get out. You have to squeeze the locks pretty damn hard to get the pins to break lose. I squeezed a little too hard on the first one and broke the tab that holds the end of the pin. Should be able to plastic weld that back though.

For others looking to do this just be careful with how much pressure you put on the locks. Do it as gradually as possible so when the pin breaks lose you can let go. If you you squeeze hard in one fast pull like I did on the first one, once the pin breaks lose, the locks will keep going and snap the tab off. I pulled more linear on the second one and managed to not damage the tab.

 

How did you get that entire assembly off? Was it easy? I'd like to plastidip the chrome handle I have.

 

I did it the easy way. I had the whole handle/bezel assembly PTM'd.

 

You just take the access panel off the back side of the tailgate. From there its 2 screws and then it pops out.

My handle came PTM from Ford already, just need the bezel PTM. There is no way to properly paint the bezel without removing the handle.

 

I broke my first handle disassembling it just like you did using the channel lock method! I think temperature is also a factor. Warmer is better. I was working in a cold garage.

With the second handle, the pins were not nearly as tight as the first. I was able to use thin flathead screwdrivers around the base of the pin and work it out.
I can't wait to color match my mirror caps/fender badges/tailgate handle. Should be a very subtle clean OEM look.

 

Man that looks good!! Thanks for the pic!
I have seen on the board where others have just taken a complete handle to the bodyshop....and it came back color matched!
I'm assuming the shop disassembled the handle, smoothed the bezel/handle, painted it and reassembled.
Unfortunately...all of my local shops were not willing to do that for me....