What's With the Streaking Door Handles?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by going red baby!, Apr 21, 2010.

  1. going red baby!

    going red baby! still a n00b

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    Why do the door handles streak after rain and how bad is it for the paint?

    I'm pretty surprised that the door handles streak on a car built in 2009. I've since noticed it seems to happen on all Priuses, at least those I looked at after a rain. Then my neighbor just bought a 2009 Honda CRV and it had door handle streaks too. Wth?

    Is it some sort of oil/lubricant for the mechanism and is it bad for my paint?
     
    #1 going red baby!, Apr 21, 2010
  2. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    I have heard of people streaking but not door handles. Door handles have no class. :mad:
     
    #2 Silver bullit, Apr 21, 2010
  3. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    It's the crap in the atmosphere that comes down with the rain.
     
    #3 firepa63, Apr 21, 2010
  4. going red baby!

    going red baby! still a n00b

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    You said it! I bought my door handles a pair of pants but they refuse to wear anything except thongs.

    Then why is it only happening under the door handles?
     
    #4 going red baby!, Apr 21, 2010
  5. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

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    Probably body oil from your hands + micrometer sized particulate matter from opening the door with each use. Rain is slightly acidic as rain combines with carbon dioxide to produce week carbonic acid. Just wash your hands and keep your car clean.
     
    #5 skruse, Apr 21, 2010
  6. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I bet it's the seals around the door handles, or something in the cracks where the handle goes into the door. It's not the rain, it's some rubber/chemical used in the cracks around the handle.
     
    #6 adamace1, Apr 21, 2010
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