How to Restore Vintage Ford 4 Speed Shifter Knobs

How to Restore Vintage Ford 4 Speed Shifter Knobs

Restoring Vintage Ford 4 velocity shifter knobs is a relatively easy job. To make the task less difficult you will will need a drill push, 1/2-20 faucet, differs grits of sandpaper, rubbing compound. Other provides you will need to have are Armor All, Mink Oil and White Equipment Contact-Up Paint.

To get commenced you will need to have to look at the situation of the knob, some of these knobs are outdated and have taken some abuse above the yrs and however some are not restartable. What you want to look for in the knob is the shift pattern, establish if the quantities and change sample lines are in very good shape with deep stamped traces and numbers. If they do not seem superior it will be tough to get a cleanse glimpse when the undertaking is finished since you have sandpaper the knob marginally to carry out a contemporary appear and if you go to much in the sanding procedure you sand them out.

Right after you have determined you have very good restore in a position knob thoroughly clean it with carburetor cleaner and wire brush the paint out of the shift sample and numbers. Put in the knob on the 1/2-20 tap and insert the faucet in the drill push. Turn the drill press on and begin with 100 grit sandpaper to start with, if you have a Mustang or Galaxie shift knob with a concave best start your sanding on the sides of the knob very first. Sand out any chips or scratches then transfer to and finer grit sandpaper like 150 good and finish with a good crocus paper. Do the exact for the concave area but start off with 150 great paper applying you finger to apply force. Be cautious here not to go to difficult this, take your time to sleek out. Also as you are sanding the paper can get very hot so be watchful, I really don’t propose put on gloves simply because they can get caught in the drill push.

After the sanding check out out the knob, make absolutely sure it is no cost of chips and scratches, if it is depart it in the drill push and use some rubbing compound to sleek it out even much more. I use three types of compound the to start with is a significant obligation cleaner and then polishing compound and complete with a very clear plastic cleaner and polish and ultimately buff with a cleanse rag. Each compound may perhaps require to applied for a couple of minutes to bring out a sleek cleanse appear be very careful in this system with the rags simply because they can get caught up in the drill press.

Cleanse the knob, take a compact dental sort resource to get the rubbing compound out of the change sample and you will be completely ready to paint the pattern and numbers. Use the white equipment touch-up paint to paint in the shift sample and quantities. You don’t have to paint just the sample and numbers it is easier to just utilize the paint on the deal with of the pattern. Let to dry and choose paper towel spray carburetor cleaner on it and wipe down the top rated of the knob until eventually the extra paint occur off and your shift pattern and numbers are clear and white.

The paint might smear on the knob so just clear to off with the carburetor cleaner. Then consider Armor All spray some on a paper towel and wipe it on the knob to bring out the black coloration. The final move is to apply some mint oil and rub down the knob to convey out the luster. If all goes effectively you will have a beautifully restored knob in about 15 to 30 minutes. I have completed numerous of these restoration for resale and they have appear out quite great what I feel can make it quick to do is product the knobs are manufactured up which is bakelite you can sand this stuff and get the knobs rather clear and searching very good.

This method works very well with Ford shifter knobs for 1964 1/2 -66 tiny concave for Mustangs and 1962-67 Galaxie and early Falcons and Fairlane and so forth. and the 1967-68 and 69 typical inside Mustang. All other knobs like the wooden grain for a deluxe inside Mustang is not fantastic for restoring if you have a very good initial keep it or get a fantastic high-quality copy.