shaved door handles

[Project X]

I am thinking about installing shaved door handles on my 4dr accord. Can anybody school me on what I need to know.
1. who makes to most reliable product?
2. should I get 35lb solenoids or should I get stronger ones (wear & tear reasons)?
3. door thrusters vs. door poppers?

any info regarding the kit itself and the body work would help

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Project X

I am thinking about installing shaved door handles on my 4dr accord. Can anybody school me on what I need to know.
1. who makes to most reliable product?
2. should I get 35lb solenoids or should I get stronger ones (wear & tear reasons)?
3. door thrusters vs. door poppers?

any info regarding the kit itself and the body work would help

Well, what you are asking about, door poppers, solenoids, etc, are not actaully part of shaving the door handle. That has to do more with how you open the door from the outside (via alarm remote or door popper, etc) than with the actual shaving of the door handle. There are no "kits" for shaving door handles. It's good old fashioned custom bodywork. Basically (this can be complex and is by NO MEANS a DIY walk-through), you weld a properly size peice of metal over the hole where the door handles were. Next, yuo sand it smooth with the rest of the car, you apply an anti-rust prevention coating. You prep, prime, and paint. Again, this is the quick short explaination of what is basically done when you shave door handles, and should give you an idea of roughly how it should be done.

[Project X]

thanks for the info regarding the bodywork, I wanted to know that too. I meant to ask about the door popper kits. I want to know what to expect in the long run (problems). And the best product to purchase. I dont want to buy something and the solenoids burn out in 2 months.

[Silverbolt]

Originally Posted by Project X

thanks for the info regarding the bodywork, I wanted to know that too. I meant to ask about the door popper kits. I want to know what to expect in the long run (problems). And the best product to purchase. I dont want to buy something and the solenoids burn out in 2 months.

Solenoids can lock up if its really cold outside, and you'll be locked out of your car. If you leave your headlights on, you can possibly drain your battery and have no power for the solenoids to even pop your doors open. Worse case scenario, leave your trunk unshaved so you can go into your car that way. Some people dont use solenoids at all. I used to know the current owner of the "blue devil" ground designs black widow civic... and what he did instead of using poppers, he made his windows go down with a push of a button on his alarm remote. From there, he would just reach in and open his car from the inside.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by Silverbolt

Solenoids can lock up if its really cold outside, and you'll be locked out of your car. If you leave your headlights on, you can possibly drain your battery and have no power for the solenoids to even pop your doors open. Worse case scenario, leave your trunk unshaved so you can go into your car that way. Some people dont use solenoids at all. I used to know the current owner of the "blue devil" ground designs black widow civic... and what he did instead of using poppers, he made his windows go down with a push of a button on his alarm remote. From there, he would just reach in and open his car from the inside.

That's actually a creative idea for getting into your car if you have shaved handles. I know this idea is all custom fab, and not possable unless you have extensive custom bodywork or hotrodding knowlegde, but...if your car wasn't slammed, and you have fiberglass sideskirts, mold a door handle...any handle with a lock, into the bottom of the sideskirt. Now, run a cable acutator down the length of the skirt, up behind the fender, and through the wiring harness into the door (simlair to the hood cable acutator on a car). From there, it will go to the locking mechanism. As long as you have enough clearence to fit a key under there, which there should be if it's at a driverable height, you can unlock it with the key. Of course, you'd have to sqaut down to unlock it, but hey...it's an idea, where it works or not...and it's orignal at that, lol.