You can definitely paint it with the handle still on but the results would not be very good, depends on your standards. Quite of but of sanding is involved if you want a smooth metal like finish. No way to sand in all the grooves of the bezel with the handle still on.

That's awesome the pins came out with a flathead on your second one. I tried that with mine and there was no chance. Channel locks was the only choice, bastards were in there.

 

I hear ya!!! I had read on here where people had removed them with the flat head proceedure...but on my first handle...NO WAY!!!
I was able to use the channel locks on one side & get the pin to move just a little, so I could get a flat head under it and work it out.
The second side required so much pressure...when the pin moved, it popped out completely, I couldn't react quick enough and the channel locks snapped off one of the mounting tabs...

The second handle went sooo much better! But I'm definitely nervous about reassembly! I'll be disgusted if I break it after everything is finished!

I don't know for sure....but a MILD amount of heat on the tabs might be helpful?(from a heat gun obviously, not a flame source)

 

Another option is to put a spacer on the inside of the 2 tabs so it keeps that end tab from bending in when the pin pushes through.

 

Do you need a new surround? I may have one without anything broken on it. I will just send it to you. I can go check in the garage but only if you need one. It's 22 degrees out and well, I am warm right now, lol

 

Very kind of you to offer, thank you!. I dropped mine off at paint this morning. I am pretty sure I can get that little tab plastic welded back on.

 

Anybody know what grit number to sand it?

 

I unhooked the spring so the handle was open and out of the way enough to sand behind the handle and inner part of the bezel. But the painter disassembled it for painting. Had I known he was going to disassemble it I could have done that and made the sanding much easier.
So when I went through this again on my 2020 I disassembled the handle prior to sanding because I knew the painter was going to disassemble it anyway.

 

I started with 320 and finished with 400.