Shift knob/heater knob restoration

[78targa]

Gentlemen,

I am in need of assistance and advice. Having lead an isolated 911 life I have had little chance to look over other Porsches to compare to my own. I wanted to know if the original shift knob of a '78 911SC had white grooves (like the heater knob) or if it was always black as mine is now. Also has anyone attempted to restore a set of faded heater control knobs? I hate to get new ones when mine have no cracks, but they are Barbie pink and my 3 year old daughter finds them..."cute." Any advice as to repainting grooves white and the body red?

I realize I could buy replacements, but I hate to remove original parts. I sort of feel like I am taking part of the car's soul...hmm am I getting too attached?!?

[pbs911]

Re heater knobs.

Once the knobs turn to pink the color is worn away. I tried to "redo" mine but my efforts were futile. I tired the paint method but they just didn't look right. I purchased a pair from our host. Not cheap for what they are (5 cent pieces of plastic, if that), but they are original equiptment, I believe. The small details make the car. Some of the best spent $30 on the interior IMHO.

[speeder]

Shift knob was always black; it is a pretty stout part and cleans up good w/ soft scrub brush, toothpick in the recesses if lots of schmutz/toe-jam.

Replacing heater knob is only way to go- painting it would be M. Mouse.

[78targa]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will go and purchase replacement heater knobs. I agree that painting the knobs red will never get a smooth glossy look. But just in case there was some process out there I didn't know about, thought I would ask.

Now where is that credit card???

[Moses]

When I replaced the faded heater knobs in my SC I was shocked at what a big difference it made. Go for it.

[bornrich]

This may be a dumb question. but how do you replace the knobs? Do I hae to remove the entire arm assembly? Or do them just pull off?
Mine are pink and in dire need of replacement.

Thanks

[Leland Pate]

I just bought a set...they will be patiently awaiting my return along with my 1 Flywheel Seal
9 flywheel Bolts
2 Bosch Fog Lamp Lens
2 H# 55 Watt Replacement Bulbs
1 Brake Caliper Paint, Black ------------Backordered
1 ATE-002 ATE Superblue 1 Liter
1 TTK-930 Tie Rod Kit
1 Bump Steer Kit
1 Dash Pad Protector, black
1 Mirror Adhesive Pad
1 Engine Oil Level Decal
1 Valve Clearance Decal
Flowmaster muffler
Cat bypass pipe
VDO heat temp gauge
1 Wenol Metal Polish, Red
4 Interior Trim Plugs, black
1 Ignition Switch Cover
1 Gas Filler Protective Flap
1 Rear Targa Bar Seal, rear glass window
1 Distributor Cap, 911
1 Air Filter, 911
1 Replacement blades for P213 Feeler Gauge,.004inches set of 3
2 Heater Handle Knob, red, 911
1 Door Stay Reinforcement Kit
1 Porsche Speed Hat
2 Targa, Cab, Speedster Door Seal
1 Engine Lid Seal (1974-86)
Leather High back seats
Black carpet set
930 center console
RS doorpanels
H5 headlights
Carrera oil cooler


WHOO HOO!

I understand they simply pull off...
Although it seems like I've tried this before and with quite a bit of tugging, they didn't come off....
I guess they require "quite" a bit of tugging!

[pbs911]

Originally posted by bornrich
This may be a dumb question. but how do you replace the knobs? Do I hae to remove the entire arm assembly? Or do them just pull off?
Mine are pink and in dire need of replacement.

Thanks

The heater knobs are just pressed on. I used a small open end wrench and rubber mallet to kock them off. The new ones just tap into place. Be carefull not to bend the control arms. Should take about 4 min. I also sanded the painted the control arms before pressing on the new ones.

[Moses]

Mine came off easily. But don't ask me to tell you about my shift knob adventures! That was like pulling the sword from the stone!

[78targa]

Hey Leland!

Great list. I had one much the same length. Now it had transformed into a huge pile in my home office ("no honey, it can't go in the garage. These parts here are too good for that.")

Only downside I see to the list is that whenever I do a search now I think this thread will always come up! By the way... you can buy a car in one piece.

Have fun out there!

Semper Fidelis

[nhromyak]

Can't you just re-dye these?

I am into RC cars/trucks. We (RC car people) re-dye the plastic (Nylon) rims all the time. We use RIT dye, mybe it's WRIT. Anyway, it should work. The hard part will be finding a bright red color. Black is easy... so is maroon, flourescent yellow & green

Then again, not sure how much the replacement parts cost. Either way you will taking the piece off.

Good Luck

[78targa]

Man. I have the order form pulled up and everything. Rit dye eh? I think at this point I am going to buy the replacements, but for grins see if I can make a quality refurb job. If it works out then I guess I will have a spare set.

My only concern is that the knob is so smooth you won't get "depth of color" or that it will coat uneven. Issue #2 is how to get the lettering white again. I was thinking of a white pasty paint that could be rubbed in.

I'll post my results in a week or so. No way I can start this weekend. I have too many home projects I am behind on.

[nhromyak]

Using RIT dye, You literally boil some water, use some epson sea salt, dunk the piece deep in the water so the ENTIRE piece is covered, the dye penetrates the piece, I waited about 7 - 10 minutes. I haven't had any problems with discoloration due to the dye.

You will have discoloration, if you have multiple pieces (like R/C car rims) and do them at different times/temperature of water.

Nothing like using dye in your S.O.'s favorite pots and pans
I used her good stainless ones, while she was gone. I cleaned them immediately, and they cleaned up easily. GOOD LUCK!

The dye runs ~$7 - $9 a bottle (WAY too much dye) or ~$4 for some dye in a dry powder form. You will be able to do (literally) hundreds of knobs. I haven't looked to see how much the knobs are so, for the mess and $ you may be better off buying the knobs.

I just thought I would put it out there...
for those of you who don't want to lose your car's "soul".

[Leland Pate]

The SCWDP could fund entire Domination campains from revenue recieved from our new "Heater knob Redying service"...


"Don't replace your Heater Knobs with subversive/commie replacements... have your original knobs professionally redyed by SCWDPSI"...


I like it!

[78targa]

Ok all!

I am sure you have been waiting with baited breath for me to get off of my duff and actually commit to my heater knob redying effort. True it took more than the nominal weekend but I good bamboozled into several "home projects" rewiring the kitchen lighting.
The results turned out better than I was expecting. Unlike nhromyak's steps, I attempted to dye the two knobs at room/full sun temperature using a very concentrated solution. I used "Scarlet Rit Dye" and put a full package into the 1 pint container as shown below. I made up the rig so that the knobs were suspended for more even coating and the sealed container kept most of the mess to a minimum. I soaked the solution for 24 hours and left it on my driveway on a 65 deg F day.
When I removed the knobs I rinsed them in cold water to remove all excess dye and rubbed them down. I then applied 4 coats of a latex based craft paint called "Titanium White Folk-Art" ($1 at Wal-Mart) and rubbed it into the grooves wiping off most of the excess (except for minor streaks). I removed the remaining excess with a damp paper towel 30 min after application. Check out the below before and after for the results:

[IMG]C:\Pictures\Porsche\dyeing rig2.bmp[/IMG]
[IMG]C:\Pictures\Porsche\dyeing rig1.bmp[/IMG]
[IMG]C:\Pictures\Porsche\dyeing rig.bmp[/IMG]

The finished product! I realize the after shot looks darker overall The before shot was taken during the day while the after shot was done at night. If you notice I have included one of the replacement knobs I just purchased at the top of each photo to set a color base-line to better compare the results.



[IMG]C:\Pictures\Porsche\Old Heater Knobs before.bmp[/IMG]

[IMG]C:\Pictures\Porsche\Old Heater Knobs after.bmp[/IMG]

Please let me know what you think. The job wasn't perfect but it was much better than I expected. I think I am going to put them back on the car. I like the fact my old knobs say "defrost." Dunno, but it feels like a minor victory to repair a part like that and keep it on the car.
If I skipped through a step or if anyone has questions let me know.
Ok, so it isn't as exciting as video of last weeks race...but then again why must the SCWDP be overt?!?!?!

Muuuuhhhaaaahhhaaaaa!!!

Pst......LeLand.....PM me with an address where I can send all of the profits from this to support the cause.

[Fishcop]

Casey, I'm not seeing photos... And really want to! I don't know if the problem is mine or yours (I just see the box with a rex X, and I've tried to open them several times).

Cheers

[pjv911]

I cant see em either

[78targa]

Ok, apparently my ignorance is showing through on this board. I am having a heck of a time posting images! I realize that the above pics can only be seen by me since the link is set to my computer. I have figured out that I can download images to pelicanparts for later retrieval, but I do not know how to find out what the link is once I submit the image to be uploaded.
I now know how post a single image, but still struggling with how to post multiple images. Help with either would be appreciated. My best shot:

[78targa]

Here was the before image:

[CamB]

Wow! That is a pretty impressive effort!

As for posting, just click on the "Attach Multiple" instruction directly to the right of the "Attach File" Browse button.

This lets you put in multiple file names and automatically supplies the link into your message (from memory).

Cam