frenched door handles

Does anybody have frenched door handles on thier ride?
I was wanting to know if the are prone to cracking? I have this on 2 cars but they were for ppl who paid me and I can't call them up and say hey just wanted to know if your door handles have cracked or not.

pics of said frenched door handles?

sorry I don't have any pics of them.But they were easy to do.

WHAT ARE THEY??

it is when you shave the line around the handle< so that the handle is one piece with the door. I will see if I can find some pics.

thats not french if it came like that. :o
thats called "shaving the line around the handle.":finger:
and if you do that you will probably use epoxy and then the line shows up after a while. and then it looks wierd.

LoL, thats pretty tight, i did that to my ride about 3 weeks ago and i didn't even know there was a name or many other ppl who do it. I had never heard of it being done and i thought it would look good. I don't have any pics though sorry.

Originally posted by hondacivic4drlx

thats called "shaving the line around the handle.":finger:
no, it's called frenching

when you french something you make it go inside. like when you french a an antenna you push it isnside, or when you do a license plate, you make it go indent. if it is called that then who ever started that is a complete moron.

french = things at angles like this / (well not that angled)

shaved = nothing there at all just bondo and paint no handle or nothing

when you french something you make it go inside. like when you french a an antenna you push it isnside, or when you do a license plate, you make it go indent. if it is called that then who ever started that is a complete moron

How much body work have you done? I have been in school for body work for awhile now. Almost all of the students in my class drive imports and know exactly what I am talking about. Go to any real custom shop and ask to have your door handles frenched, they know! I have been around this feild sense I was a child! Alot of my family does paint and body and two of my relatives own their own shops! So don't try to tell me what is and what isn't when you don't know what you are talking about.

frenching isnt what u are saying it is, unless the minitruck term french is diff. then import french i highly doubt it but i dont think frenching is what u said

Originally posted by 96Hatch

shaved = just bondo and paint that will crack, you have to weld in metal first ;)

I am part owner of a shop, and whtteg has a lot to do with body work, so why are you argueing with us? :rolleyes:

Originally posted by kicker1_solo
that will crack, you have to weld in metal first ;)


yea u weld a metal peice over the gap where the door handle used to be then u bondo then sand then apply till even and smooth

and are u saying im arguing with you cause i dont think you have your terms stright unless the same term is diff. then the minitruck term

it doesn't even matter, we all know what it is, no reason to argue about what it's called. :)

STILL WANNA SEE PICS SO I KNOW WHAT UR TALKING ABOUT:(

Originally posted by whtteg


How much body work have you done? I have been in school for body work for awhile now. Almost all of the students in my class drive imports and know exactly what I am talking about. Go to any real custom shop and ask to have your door handles frenched, they know! I have been around this feild sense I was a child! Alot of my family does paint and body and two of my relatives own their own shops! So don't try to tell me what is and what isn't when you don't know what you are talking about.

i was just was telling you guys my definition. and i was not tryin to say that you dont know what your talking bout, or to imply that you point of view was not an educated one.:)

Originally posted by 96Hatch
french = things at angles like this / (well not that angled)

shaved = nothing there at all just bondo and paint no handle or nothing



shaved = Bondo... i guess where u get your work done they do crappy work--- SHave = WELDING!! - & Dura-glass or Poly-glass.... if its done right... Bond0 is for repairing yoru Hompty!!!

Originally posted by Gusto222




shaved = Bondo... i guess where u get your work done they do crappy work

bondo has sure worked for a bunch of people that i know and they dont have shops do it

Originally posted by 96Hatch


bondo has sure worked for a bunch of people that i know and they dont have shops do it My shop uses bondo too :)

Originally posted by kicker1_solo
My shop uses bondo too :)

i dont know what body shop wouldnt

Yeah bondo is fine as long as you don't put it more than say 1/4" thick! But I use fiber glass filler then air file it pretty close with 36 grit paper then use a easy sand puddy to feather abd blend. And yes I too weld a plate in, if you didn't what would keep the bondo from falling into the door? LOL And a tip for you DIY's, make sure you don't ever let your bondo get wet! Always put some primer over it. And take the panel of the door and spray the back of the plate,that is welded into the hole were the handle was, with some primer or paint to keep it from rusting.


96Hatch, sorry for the confusion, I will post pics of my civic when I finish the handles, I have shaved the rear and I will do yhe frenching or flushing as some ppl call it to the front. I will send you a pic also, so you can see what I am talking about.

Originally posted by whtteg
96Hatch, sorry for the confusion, I will post pics of my civic when I finish the handles, I have shaved the rear and I will do yhe frenching or flushing as some ppl call it to the front. I will send you a pic also, so you can see what I am talking about.

k cool i will find a picture of my idea of frenching

To answer your question: I have a friend who has his handles (shaved / frenched whatever) and he hasn't problems with cracking. I think he is running 2 yrs with those cars. The only problem he's had was the doors not responding to the keyless entry thing, which means he has to manually pop the door. Not smooth in front of the ladies, but i think that happens cause he needs to tweak them alittle.

Originally posted by whtteg
And a tip for you DIY's, make sure you don't ever let your bondo get wet! Another tip, don't get your welding too hot and warp the metal on the door while welding that plate in, that's a bitch to fix :D

Originally posted by kicker1_solo
Another tip, don't get your welding too hot and warp the metal on the door while welding that plate in, that's a bitch to fix :D


and another tip dont hump your tail pipe :bloated:

Originally posted by 96Hatch



and another tip dont hump your tail pipe :bloated: or your mechanic :D
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/571192Dcp_0095.jpg

yea that aint good either

and don't over sand. and it is possible i've seen it before. and don't get pissed and kick your car, cause that's just more work:D

Originally posted by 95civicman
and don't over sand. and it is possible i've seen it before. and don't get pissed and kick your car, cause that's just more work:D


lol (=

I've been customizing cars and trucks and bikes for years and Frenched means: sunken or recessed. If you don't know that then that just shows you don't know what your talking about. Getting rid of the lines around the door handle is simply molding it in. Not welding a piece of metal in before applying bondo is a big mistake, it will crack and fall out. Take it slow over the bumps and carry a couple tubs of super glue. ha ha You need to let the professionals handle the custom work before you destroy a perfectly good car. Bondo is not the answer and more is not better. Always use the least amount possible and none if possible.

holy old thread batman :D
and since it's back, here's a couple cars that I have done
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p41060a02c28a7ad134e20455b8faf328/fabba26c.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p07c63803114751fc517c3c702ce38624/fab8d7b9.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p81da5e14379eeb4078eeb8f55b636a4c/fab8d246.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/pb6560edf4c1b020a900df928e53b9017/fb67d8c8.jpg
Fill those suckers with fiberglass, and bondo for the smooth finish.