|
| markr154 |
|
||||||
|
Hey guys,
As you all know, the lettering on the power window switches tends to scratch & wear off with repeated use, ...especially if you have nails like a f**k' grizzly. I've come up with a simple, little mod that will totally renew the 'U' & 'D' lettering on your power window switches, as well as bring the switches up like new again... You need: 1500 grit / grade sandpaper, White 'Letraset' transfer set, size L83 (available from Jackson's Drawing Supplies), 1 can of d**k Smith's Photo Coating Spray ($9.95), Masking tape, Scissors, A scalpel or needle, A fan-forced oven! Steps as follows: 1. Remove individual switches from car (I'm sure you can all do that). 2. Sand each switch with the 1500 grit paper until the worn lettering is completely off (or the surface is lightly sanded for those of you who don't have any lettering left). 3. Use the scissors to cut individual CAPITAL 'U' & 'D' letters from the Letraset transfer sheet (remember to take backing sheet off first). 4. Align the letters on the switch, then press down firmly with your thumb to get the letter to stay in place initially, then rub firmly over the letter with your thumbnail, or equivalent. 5. Use the needle (or scalpel) to GENTLY lift the transfer top sheet off each letter (if you see the transfer lifting as well, press back down and rub over it again). 6. Mask off the sides of the switch, then spray 3-4 light coats of the Photo Coating Spray over the top of the switch & the transfers. Aim for a nice, even glossy finish. 7. Warm up the oven (use fan-forced setting at approx. 150 degrees), and place sprayed switch in oven for 3-5 mins MAX to dry. 8. Remove switch from oven & allow to cool for 2-3 hours, or leave overnight. 9. Repeat steps 3-8 for as many switches as you need. You should now have a new-looking set of switches ready to go back in your ride! 
Here's a couple of pics of the 2 Black switches I did for my DEVEL ...OK, now see if you can spot my OTHER little mod??? 
_________________ Hot Chilli Red EL XR6, 5-spd, JMM DEV 5 enhanced (161 rwkw custom tuned), Eliminator Switch Chip, 18" BA GTP rims, Pedders Superlows, BA XR6 badges, BA Sunroof, Pioneer Stereo, Splits, 6x9's, 10" sub, 700W 6-ch Viper amp.
|
||||||
| Top | |
||||||
| Mash85 |
|
||
|
very impressed mate! looks like ive got something to do today afterall!
_________________
|
||
| Top | |
||
| madmax |
|
|||
|
Good Job!
But sorry its not a original idea. I did that to a XF ghia years ago!
_________________
|
|||
| Top | |
|||
| phongus |
|
|||
|
well done mate =D good on you for bringing this up since my 2 front buttons are fading. btw can't you just remove the individual buttons and then do it? i mean it doesn't seem safe to put the whole unit into the oven just incase you "cook" something in the electronics.
_________________ phongus = Post whore 2006 |
|||
| Top | |
|||
| fairmont599 |
|
||
Posts: 1135 Joined: 27th Oct 2005 |
Not a bad effort.
is the other mod the Chromed cup holder surround? |
||
| Top | |
||
| Ballast |
|
|||
|
Well done. Too bad the D and the U are the wrong way around
OR is that the other mod??
_________________ Remember kids, the more pages of crap in your build thread, the bigger your e-penis is |
|||
| Top | |
|||
| markr154 |
|
|||
|
bald_princess wrote: Well done. Too bad the D and the U are the wrong way around
OR is that the other mod?? Well spotted, ...THAT is the other mod! I also have a BA XR6T, and the window buttons are arrowed 'switch up = window up, switch down = window down' ...which I think is perfectly logical, and is the arrangement in most cars. Then I hop into the EL XR6, and it's a***-about (switch up = window down, switch down = window up) ...just gets a little confusing sometimes. So just thought I'd correct / mod the button directions while they were out, ...piss easy job.
Just a matter of personal preference...
_________________ Hot Chilli Red EL XR6, 5-spd, JMM DEV 5 enhanced (161 rwkw custom tuned), Eliminator Switch Chip, 18" BA GTP rims, Pedders Superlows, BA XR6 badges, BA Sunroof, Pioneer Stereo, Splits, 6x9's, 10" sub, 700W 6-ch Viper amp.
|
|||
| Top | |
|||
| markr154 |
|
|||
|
phongus wrote: well done mate =D good on you for bringing this up since my 2 front buttons are fading. btw can't you just remove the individual buttons and then do it? i mean it doesn't seem safe to put the whole unit into the oven just incase you "cook" something in the electronics.
You can remove just the individual switches themselves, which is basically just the button & rocker mechanism with the protruding contact pins. Just take out your cup-holder console, disconnect the switch loom plugs, and pop out the individual switches. Nothing really to cook in the oven, as the switch mechanism is purely mechanical, ...besides, you should be keeping an eye on the bastards anyhow! They don't have to go in the oven, you can just let them dry overnight. The oven just speeds up the drying process & encourages a nice tough finish.
_________________ Hot Chilli Red EL XR6, 5-spd, JMM DEV 5 enhanced (161 rwkw custom tuned), Eliminator Switch Chip, 18" BA GTP rims, Pedders Superlows, BA XR6 badges, BA Sunroof, Pioneer Stereo, Splits, 6x9's, 10" sub, 700W 6-ch Viper amp.
|
|||
| Top | |
|||
| markr154 |
|
|||
|
madmax wrote: Good Job!
But sorry its not a original idea. I did that to a XF ghia years ago! Oh well, ...think I'd better start dismantling my 'power window switch reconditioning' empire now. 
I certainly wasn't aiming for the FM 'Hall of Fame'!
_________________ Hot Chilli Red EL XR6, 5-spd, JMM DEV 5 enhanced (161 rwkw custom tuned), Eliminator Switch Chip, 18" BA GTP rims, Pedders Superlows, BA XR6 badges, BA Sunroof, Pioneer Stereo, Splits, 6x9's, 10" sub, 700W 6-ch Viper amp.
|
|||
| Top | |
|||
| markr154 |
|
|||
|
Mash85 wrote: very impressed mate! looks like ive got something to do today afterall!
Go to it, mate. Just remember, ONLY use an 'ACID-FREE' clear coat to avoid etching the transfers! Hence why I specified the d**k Smith's product.
_________________ Hot Chilli Red EL XR6, 5-spd, JMM DEV 5 enhanced (161 rwkw custom tuned), Eliminator Switch Chip, 18" BA GTP rims, Pedders Superlows, BA XR6 badges, BA Sunroof, Pioneer Stereo, Splits, 6x9's, 10" sub, 700W 6-ch Viper amp.
|
|||
| Top | |
|||
| twirqurky |
|
||
|
Lol I was thinking those switches are around hte wrong way! Daniel beat me too it!
Nice work though. |
||
| Top | |
||
| Molloy |
|
|||
|
Well played
_________________ SS Inductions CAI, K&N Filters, M-spec FMC, Turbosmart BOV, 8psi capa tune, X-force cat. |
|||
| Top | |
|||
| Falcs |
|
|||
|
so what's the deal with the chrome?
common... shaaaaaare..
_________________ -------- Falcs -------- |
|||
| Top | |
|||
| markr154 |
|
|||
|
Falcs wrote: so what's the deal with the chrome?
common... shaaaaaare.. The chrome is just a stick-on Brushed Aluminium dash kit (see interior shots in my gallery). Got it from The Spoiler Shop here in Perth, it's already pre-cut, you just gotta stick it on!
_________________ Hot Chilli Red EL XR6, 5-spd, JMM DEV 5 enhanced (161 rwkw custom tuned), Eliminator Switch Chip, 18" BA GTP rims, Pedders Superlows, BA XR6 badges, BA Sunroof, Pioneer Stereo, Splits, 6x9's, 10" sub, 700W 6-ch Viper amp.
|
|||
| Top | |
|||
| Nicko |
|
|||
|
Hard to do to EL's as they are painted grey or cappa!
_________________ Nicko |
|||
| Top | |
|||
| Who is online |
|---|
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 31 guests |
