Removing handles from lift-up door latches

Has anyone ever managed to achieve this? The handle of the latch assy was originally plastic coated but this was all peeling off so I removed as much as I could.

Now I want to get them re-coated but I can't get the handle off the latch/lock assy. It's on splines but it looks like the outer dia of the handle has also been squeezed onto the splined shaft to ensure it won't come loose; they've done a good job as it won't budge.

If I can't remove the handles then my only option seems to be to try and paint them in-situ but I still can't get to the back of them properly so it's not ideal.

Any ideas about alternative coatings or how to get the bleeders off?

i imagine they are press fitted on but you may be able to apply some heat to try and prise them off

you might need a big vice and hammer as well

Heat shrink of the right size will make quite a good job of it, and save breaking it when you try to press it off/on. I have a post somewhere about doing it: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/lift-up-handle-tinkering-new-covers.299213/#post-3731615

zeaphod said:

Heat shrink of the right size will make quite a good job of it, and save breaking it when you try to press it off/on. I have a post somewhere about doing it: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/lift-up-handle-tinkering-new-covers.299213/#post-3731615

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That's a great idea! Did you find the heat shrink shrunk down enough for the small end of the handle?

Yes, it just leaves a little tail which can't be seen in normal use