Late Night Project - Restored Heater Knobs (pics)

kstylianos · 10-01-2003, 10:06 PM

I read this thread earlier today and thought I'd give dying the heater knobs a shot. If they get messed up, they would no worse than when I started.

Interior dye recommendations?

Couldn't find any plastic dye, so i picked of some red fabric dye for $1.50.

Here's the dye and the sun faded heater knobs:

Let the knobs boil in the dye for 20 minutes:

This what they looked like when they cooled off:

A little paint with a not so steady hand, and they look 100% better. Saved me $15 a piece for new knobs:

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Those look great! Does any of the dye rub off? I'd hate to get that on my clothes.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Don't forget to clear coat them.

Shawzy · 10-02-2003, 05:31 AM

Very nice.

subdewd · subdewd's Garage

How do you get the knobs off, They look like
they'd be brittle

curlesw · curlesw's Garage

Looks great! I was considering buying some new knobs as well...will give this a try instead.

Wayne C.
83 SC

Rouxzy · 10-02-2003, 05:48 AM

I did the same with mine using white out for the lettering. After the dye is completely dry just dab white out over the lettering and lightly wipe with a paper towel. The white out stays in the lettering but comes off the rest of the knob. It's been 3 years and used plenty as I drive until the first sign of salt on the roads and it still looks like the day I did it.
Tom

kstylianos · 10-02-2003, 06:05 AM

The knobs just pull right off the heater control handles, just a little tug. I was handling them while painting, and no dye rubbed off onto my fingers, clothes, etc.

yelcab1 · 10-02-2003, 06:27 AM

I would hate to make eggs in that pot again !!!
My wife does not let me dry painted parts in the kitchen oven any more.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Looks like a project for my list. I may also try clear coating (as mentioned by Richard) with Krylon non-yellowing Crystal coat.

caliber60 · 10-02-2003, 08:27 AM

Can you wash the dye off the pan?

kstylianos · 10-02-2003, 09:27 AM

I used a stainless pan. Washed right out with little help from a Brillo.

Kurt B · 10-02-2003, 09:32 AM

Wow, they really do look great.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I'm guessing it's desirable to suspend the pieces within the pan with wire or something along those lines.

kstylianos · 10-02-2003, 10:20 AM

Rick,

I didn't need to do that. With the water boiling on 'High', the boil was violent enough to keep the knobs moving around the pot w/o them resting on the bottom or in one place for an extended period of time. Also, the high heat did not distort the plastic or make it noticeably soft either. Of course, YMMV

GrindingGears · 10-02-2003, 11:35 AM

where did you get the dye? wal mart? speciality store?

nice job by the way, i know what i'm doing on sunday.

Randy Webb · 10-02-2003, 11:47 AM

A true P3 item (Penny Pinching Porsche). Has anyone tried just using a fiberlass polish? That would be even easier.

island911 · 10-02-2003, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harlan Chinn
Those look great! Does any of the dye rub off? I'd hate to get that on my clothes.

No. The dye goes into the plastic. You do want to wash them with cold water when done, to remove any lingering surface residue.

If the surface is in good condition, they turn-out shiney red as if they had been clear-coated. (The parent plastic is translucent . .. I don't see the need to ever clear-coat them)

I used Rit (brand) dye. . . ."Scarlet" I think. This works great, BTW.

UTKarmann_Ghia · 10-02-2003, 04:02 PM

That is just TOOOOO cool guys. This thread shoulda been in the "cheap b@st@rd" thread someone started a few months ago

Here's to the cheap b@st@rds of the world!

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I was just at the local dealer (Barrier) and inquired about the cost of replacement knobs. You will save yourself $40 for the pair.