DIY: Fix your scratched shift knob 07+ Sedan

[EWG35]

I had a few minutes today and decided to fix my scratched shift knob. I know a few of your have had the same problem with scratches in the aluminum trim on the 07+ sedan shift knob. It's a super easy fix.

Grab the aluminum trim ring on the shift boot and pull down. Expose the wire clip and pull it towards you to release, then lift knob straight off.

Next grab some blue painters tape and mask off the leather, leaving the aluminum trim piece exposed:


Grab a green scotch brite pad and "with" the brush marks rub using light to medium pressure to remove the clear top coat. Once you get all of the clear coat off "palm" the scotch brite pad and make long back and forth passes over the trim piece (not short choppy strokes). This will leave long perfect brush marks on the trim piece:


Next give it a good wipe down to prep for paint. I used Dupli-Color Auto Spray "Clear Top Coat" and gave it two coats and called it a day:




20 minutes later I installed it to let it dry. I'll give it a blast of air from my air compessor tomorrow to get out any sanding dust and wipe down the leather. Good times!

[IvoryPearl07G]

AWESOME!!! i am so doing this next weekend.

[Eug96]

Great solution and write up man,

Thanks!

[InTgr8r]

Great job

[kregg]

Good Idea!!

[Capthook]

I love this! Great work

[Phalanx]

It is not going to work on mine since it is deeply scratched into the plastic layer. I don't think there is an easy way to fix it. I just place my hand on it all the time and hoping all the left over aluminum paint will go away so I will have a solid white plastic knob. lol

[InTgr8r]

^ you could paint it instead of using clear coat.

[EWG35]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

It is not going to work on mine since it is deeply scratched into the plastic layer. I don't think there is an easy way to fix it. I just place my hand on it all the time and hoping all the left over aluminum paint will go away so I will have a solid white plastic knob. lol

I heard someone say it has a very thin coat of Aluminum over plastic. Honestly it felt like solid aluminum to me. But yeah it could be painted in a chrome paint and brushed with very fine steel wool, then cleared. You could also paint it black or body color. If that piece comes out I'd replace it with a piece of Bubina (african rose wood) to match my dash. If any one has removed that piece post details here.

[johnnyzee]

sweet!

[MTG35guy]

Good write up! Looks good!

[Phalanx]

I would like to know if that plastic piece can be detached from the knob. It would make it much easier to sand and paint it. If there is a real aluminum piece, it is great to replace that little cheap part.

[EWG35]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

I would like to know if that plastic piece can be detached from the knob. It would make it much easier to sand and paint it. If there is a real aluminum piece, it is great to replace that little cheap part.

take off your knob and look inside. If there is a screw inside yes you can remove it. I sort of doubt it though. It is probably pressed in with small clips. Taking it off (prying with a small screw driver) will probably mangle the piece. If you mask it off really well there is no need to remove it.

[djwishuwur]

What do you have to do to make this a sticky? This is worth adding to the list. Well done.

---Matt

[ced357]

Just did it using your DIY. Worked great. I had some pretty deep scratches that I couldn't fully get out, but it looks a million times better now. Thanks.