Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JAKES 68GMC · 04-09-2006, 06:48 PM

PICS ADDED

Got a dull, boring, black granny gear shifter in your truck? Or if you have just a rusty, ugly old shifter?? Well, either way, here is a $5 or 6 buck solution to your problem. Just follow my instructions, trust me.

Take your shift lever off/out, and sand it down first with 40 grit sand paper so there is no paint left, and then 120 grit just to smoothen it up. Then, wipe down the stick with Acetone (or something without oil in it) to clean any dust off the stick (if your doing this over a period of time, not all in one day, coat the stick in grease to prevent rusting. seems to help cleaning, too) Then buy some Plasti-kote Bumper Chrome, or Duplicolor Chrome spray paint. I know your already thinking this is redneck/hickish. Well too bad.

Then, hang the stick from something so it's dangling and easier to paint, and paint the stick with the chrome paint in light coats, and give it a few good coats of paint. I did this yesterday/today, restarting a few times because of runs.

Granted, this sounds cheezy/cheap, and is cheap, but you will be very surprised how good it will come out. I can't paint worth a damn, and it still came out good, without many rund. The paint is in the middle between chrome and silver, and IMO looks pretty good. TRY THE PAINT ON SOMETHING YOU DON'T VALUE MUCH BEFORE YOU USE IT VEHICLE STUFF. Because you may not like this finish/color.
The stick it drying now, but I will post pic's of it when it's all dried. Screw on a Hurst T-Handle, and tell people you have a Hurst shifter for a SM465 and watch their eyes bug out.

Pic's will be on later.
Jake

matthufham · 04-09-2006, 07:03 PM

in the faqs, i did that to my grille

jimmydean · 04-09-2006, 07:12 PM

I have some grey metalic platic coating that you shoot with a power gun. It's the same a the patic or rubber griping, only it it shinny if you drench it in water after you pull it from the oven.

I got a bunch of it from a shop I buy my powder from because they didn't like the metal flake finish. It was free, I just haven't used it yet. I figure the shifter is a good application because it does get hit from time to time.

Fred T · 04-09-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAKES 68GMC

I know your already thinking this is redneck/hickish.
Jake

Do you think it will help mine? It doesn't get much more redneck. The p.o. had shortened the lever by cutting and brazing. One day it broke, and I needed to go to work. So out came the JBW and a piece of copper pipe.

shifty · 04-10-2006, 11:08 AM

another fun option - use the Rustoleum "hammered finish" paint. Looks great on all kinds of stuff.

TP from Cntl PA · 04-10-2006, 05:32 PM

I like my rusty/old black shifters......................Can't be bought in a new truck

cdowns · 04-10-2006, 06:08 PM

or you could just use shrink tube in the color of your choice for a different look

i find the best (shineyest) chrome paint is made by rustoleaum

JAKES 68GMC · 04-10-2006, 06:33 PM

Hmmmm. Rustoleum chrome. Anti-rust+chrome finish. I may have to repaint my shifter AGAIN.

Pics in a little while.

JAKES 68GMC · 04-11-2006, 04:38 PM

Results.....with and without flash.

04-09-2006, 06:48 PM	#1
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,211	Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter PICS ADDED Got a dull, boring, black granny gear shifter in your truck? Or if you have just a rusty, ugly old shifter?? Well, either way, here is a $5 or 6 buck solution to your problem. Just follow my instructions, trust me. Take your shift lever off/out, and sand it down first with 40 grit sand paper so there is no paint left, and then 120 grit just to smoothen it up. Then, wipe down the stick with Acetone (or something without oil in it) to clean any dust off the stick (if your doing this over a period of time, not all in one day, coat the stick in grease to prevent rusting. seems to help cleaning, too) Then buy some Plasti-kote Bumper Chrome, or Duplicolor Chrome spray paint. I know your already thinking this is redneck/hickish. Well too bad. Then, hang the stick from something so it's dangling and easier to paint, and paint the stick with the chrome paint in light coats, and give it a few good coats of paint. I did this yesterday/today, restarting a few times because of runs. Granted, this sounds cheezy/cheap, and is cheap, but you will be very surprised how good it will come out. I can't paint worth a damn, and it still came out good, without many rund. The paint is in the middle between chrome and silver, and IMO looks pretty good. TRY THE PAINT ON SOMETHING YOU DON'T VALUE MUCH BEFORE YOU USE IT VEHICLE STUFF. Because you may not like this finish/color. The stick it drying now, but I will post pic's of it when it's all dried. Screw on a Hurst T-Handle, and tell people you have a Hurst shifter for a SM465 and watch their eyes bug out. Pic's will be on later. Jake Last edited by JAKES 68GMC; 04-11-2006 at 04:39 PM.

04-09-2006, 07:03 PM	#2
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter in the faqs, i did that to my grille Last edited by matthufham; 04-09-2006 at 07:04 PM.

04-09-2006, 07:12 PM	#3
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter I have some grey metalic platic coating that you shoot with a power gun. It's the same a the patic or rubber griping, only it it shinny if you drench it in water after you pull it from the oven. I got a bunch of it from a shop I buy my powder from because they didn't like the metal flake finish. It was free, I just haven't used it yet. I figure the shifter is a good application because it does get hit from time to time.

04-10-2006, 11:08 AM	#5
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter another fun option - use the Rustoleum "hammered finish" paint. Looks great on all kinds of stuff. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

04-10-2006, 05:32 PM	#6
TP from Cntl PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central PA....In the Berg of Nisbet Posts: 790	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter I like my rusty/old black shifters......................Can't be bought in a new truck __________________ '72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!!

04-10-2006, 06:08 PM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter or you could just use shrink tube in the color of your choice for a different look i find the best (shineyest) chrome paint is made by rustoleaum __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-10-2006, 06:33 PM	#8
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,211	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter Hmmmm. Rustoleum chrome. Anti-rust+chrome finish. I may have to repaint my shifter AGAIN. Pics in a little while.

04-11-2006, 04:38 PM	#9
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,211	Re: Cheap mod to brighten up you shifter Results.....with and without flash. Attached Images



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