Front door handle surrounds - Security

[Kernbunker]

Hi all,

I'm just back from my first trip in my new van. 7,382 miles driven around spectacular Scandinavia (pics to follow!). The van behaved very well indeed, given the toughness of the trip. Aside from a change of tyre, spark plugs, rotor arm and distributor cap, it also survived being run into by someone (big dent in the rear bumper) and a break in attempt. However, the break in attempt has now left two gouged holes in driver door/handle and has broken the plastic surround.

Does anyone know where I can find a new surround? Or better still a wider, chunkier surround, that will cover the damage, and make it (look) more secure again? I mean like the ones you could fit to Golf's in the 90's after VW wised up to how often those cars were broken into.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[CovKid]

Good point. Tricky as they're rececessed. I think if it were me, I'd make plates to go on the inside and puddle-weld them in although that wouldn't solve external damage, it'd make it more difficult next time!

[Kernbunker]

Thanks Covkid, I might just have to do that. I'll talk to a bodyshop too, see what they say, once the van's back from a well-earned service.