PV: Dash knobs restoration

[adarvasi]

My dash knobs are faded and dull, has any of you restored them and if you have how did you do it?
I have washed and polished them o no avail.
Considering painting them, but not sure that that solution will last.
Will appreciate your input.

[arcturus]

Originally Posted by adarvasi

My dash knobs are faded and dull, has any of you restored them and if you have how did you do it?
I have washed and polished them o no avail.
Considering painting them, but not sure that that solution will last.
Will appreciate your input.

Remind me, is it a 544 or444?

[adarvasi]

Its a 1992 544

[blueosprey90]

Well, I have the same problem for a 1957 444. Plus the problem of keeping the chrome/stainless steel piece for the choke attached to the dash.

[adarvasi]

Blueosprey, how interesting, I was wondering how the choke piece is attached. All my chrome pieces are being re chromed right now, and as that one is completely different, and I did not take it out I have no idea how is held in place.
If I find a way to spruce up the knobs I shall report, very tempted to try black nail polish, however I also fear that it will peel off.

[amazon69]

Can you post a picture of one? I might have an idea that could help.

[arcturus]

To remove choke unfasten the cable from carbs,there is a flat nut on the inside of dash which needs to be undone and the whole assembly comes off as a single unit. Will post pic' later. To polish black plastic knobs if you have access to lathe or pillar drill, fasten and spin then with a piece of heavy fabric and some metal polish and then wax. Bit of a waste of time really as they will soon dull again with use. (sweaty fingers)

[adarvasi]

Originally Posted by amazon69

Can you post a picture of one? I might have an idea that could help.

Amazon, I imagine that you are referring to the knobs, the picture attached is my worst one

[adarvasi]

Originally Posted by arcturus

To remove choke unfasten the cable from carbs,there is a flat nut on the inside of dash which needs to be undone and the whole assembly comes off as a single unit. Will post pic' later. To polish black plastic knobs if you have access to lathe or pillar drill, fasten and spin then with a piece of heavy fabric and some metal polish and then wax. Bit of a waste of time really as they will soon dull again with use. (sweaty fingers)

Arctrus, my set up is different than yours, please see attached pictures. The arrow shows where the tip of the handle goes into the actuator

[amazon69]

Pic is helpful, thanks. What I would do there is resin cast a new one. It's simple and really rewarding. Make a latex mold of the knob, after smoothing out any wear on it first with a tiny bit of body filler or similar, then cast a new one (or ten) using resin and black powder, or use another colour if you like.
Silicone for the mold
Resin for the part
Pigments for the colour

I realise that you cannot pop in to those suppliers like I can, but I'm sure you could find similar products elsewhere...boat builders use most of the above products for example.

This is a pic of a badge I made for my Bristol....I only had one, they are not available, so I cold cast this with resin and 50% metal powders, then polished it up. It is indistinguishable from the original one.