1954 Dash Knob Restoration

[John L.]

Well I am looking for a little restoration work I can do for my 54' in the basement now that it is getting colder outside. Thought I would try to do some refurbishment of the ivory colored dash knobs. They are not too bad but there are some minor chips on the edges that need attention before I give them a coat of paint.

Any advice on how to approach this work, what products and paint before I set out on my own here?


Thanks,

John Lanning

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

I've never tried it but I see Corvette Central sells a plastic restoration kit. You can buy white. Might give it a try and let us know. Also curious to know how to paint the knobs - what color paint to use to get the correct ivory and how one masks the stainless band to get a perfect job.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Years ago a friend needed to restore his knobs. He took them to a museum where a fellow who had done tusks and teeth did his, filled in chips and colored ivory color. I told a dentist friend (Porsche owner) about it and he gave it a try on an old knob he had and the results were excellent and undetected. I don't know what they used.

Steve

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Interesting. I have a perodontist friend that is a classic Studebaker restorer. I'll see what he has to say.

[John L.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

That is interesting leads .... I was thinking more of an off the shelf resin solution but did not even consider the dental areas as a resourse. Have a family member who is a dentist - ha they even have a range of "teeth ivory" to choose from.
Thanks!
John

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Ron Jones in Connecticut does knob restoration, when done they look like new.

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Fred Terry also does knob restoration
He does an awesome job

Ron Jone also does an awesome job

[Steven B.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Eckler's (www.LateGreatChevy.com 1-800-683-1961) sells a steering wheel repair kit to repair cracks and chips. part number is 88-0188-1, $21.99 for the kit. I believe it is Marine-Tex.

Steve

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

My perodontist says they have cold cured ivory material that can be color matched to our knobs. Apparently it is pretty common stuff in the dental world.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

My perodontist says they have cold cured ivory material that can be color matched to our knobs. Apparently it is pretty common stuff in the dental world.

It's methyl methacrylate, aka "cold cure acrylic". Comes in many shades of white. Also comes in many shades of pink for repairing denture and partial denture baseplates. It's a 2 part system, liquid and powder (monomer and polymer).

Chuck

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

There had to be a dental professional in the group. Thanks for the input Chuck.

Two questions:
1) Where can we get that stuff in less than a huge quantity?
2) Is it possible to order just the ivory that matches 53-55 dash knobs or does one have to get a kit with a variety of shades?

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

There had to be a dental professional in the group. Thanks for the input Chuck.

Two questions:
1) Where can we get that stuff in less than a huge quantity?
2) Is it possible to order just the ivory that matches 53-55 dash knobs or does one have to get a kit with a variety of shades?

Talk to your dentist. You can get smallish bottles of the stuff, maybe in the 4 oz to 8 oz range. All the dental supply companies sell it, and I'm sure your dentist can order you some. No "skin off his nose" so to speak. It's not a controlled substance.

As far as shades, again, ask your dentist. There are shade guides, and as you know, there are zillions of shades of white. Ever have a crown done? You know how long it takes to choose the right shade to match your other teeth. Same deal with cold cure acrylic.

You can pick the shade you want and order just that, or you can get a kit with several shades in it.

I'm a retired dentist, but I was an oral surgeon, and haven't practiced general dentistry since about 1971. That being said, I know that the stuff is readily available.

The Henry Schein company is one of the largest dental suppliers in the USA. Here's a link to their catalog listing acrylic products.

http://www.henryschein.com/us-en/Shopping/ProductBrowser.aspx?categoryname=Acrylics&browsingmode=c&N=4294966741&Reset=4294966741

As you see, there are tons of them. That's where your DDS can help with shades, etc.

Chuck

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Great info, Chuck. I'm working on getting an appointment as we speak. Hopefully my insurance will cover this consultation.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

Great info, Chuck. I'm working on getting an appointment as we speak. Hopefully my insurance will cover this consultation.

Well, it's Wednesday, so you'll probably find your dentist on the golf course. Matching shades of white is like trying to match old paint for a blend/repair on an old car.

That being said, once you have the correct shade, it ain't rocket science to use cold cure acrylic. It's a liquid/powder system. You mix them together and it becomes a thin, flowing liquid that you can apply with a spatula, etc. As it polymerizes, it gets more "putty like", almost like chewing gum. When it hardens, it's like plastic.

Neat stuff to fool around with.

Chuck

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Dash Knob Restoration

You called it. I can't reach him.