- Location
- Inland Empire, CA
- Car
- 2003 FX45
Well, I’ve been thinking of different custom knob ideas. The only other aftermarket knobs I’ve seen are Globe’s and don’t get me wrong – I think Globe’s are fantastic. But, they go well with the overall design of 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] gens. The cold steel really compliments the sophistication and color array on the new Infiniti dashboards. My 1[SUP]st[/SUP] gen, like most earlier 1[SUP]st[/SUP] gens, have aluminum highlights on and around the dash. While I don’t think that steel knobs will be a major clash with neighboring aluminum pieces, I don’t think that steel design is the way to go. Maybe Globe’s just look too classy for the simpler, yet sporty, 1[SUP]st[/SUP] gen dash.
So, I started thinking about aluminum knobs. But Globe’s basic design in basic aluminum will simply lack pizazz. Now I’m left searching for a knob to properly dress up the dash of the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] generation FX. Globe’s steel knobs are too classy. Globe’s design in an aluminum are too basic. Anodized aluminum will look too ricey. Honestly, the stock Infiniti knobs are a good design. I like the black with aluminum strip look and they light up well.
How about some other ideas though? First, I thought of some wild and detailed designs that would go well with aluminum dash highlights and exude a fun sporty look and feel. My thought was to make a knob matching the design of an OEM 8-spoke rim or GTR rim. The outside diameter/surface would be either flat & smooth, or with tire tread, or shaped with lip and no tire. Another option is to include a rotor and caliper behind the spoke design which would be more evident when backlit.
I tinkered around in CAD a little bit with the thought a metal knob of a scale Infiniti 20” rim and maybe with tire tread.
With this elaborate knob design, brushed steel would provide the best look and feel. I don’t think aluminum would have the ideal feel. These pictures show the brushed steel look I would probably go for. Inner rim, spokes, and center cap are still being worked on. This material is a sintered tool steel.
Then I thought of the idea of applying black softouch to the rubber tire portion of the steel wheel knob. This lead to mocking up some plastic rims with rubber tires to match my wheels (OEM 20”s and Hankook RH06 tires). So here’s the current result so far. Two back to back holiday weekends have given so much needed tinker time. We’ll see what direction this goes, if any. I don’t even know how much I like the idea. These knobs add a fun and sporty twist, but I don’t want to detract from any sophisticated or luxury aspects of the FX. If cheesy, I'll stick with the originals which also look just fine. Should I continue with this knob idea or continue with the 1 piece steel wheel knob idea?
So, I started thinking about aluminum knobs. But Globe’s basic design in basic aluminum will simply lack pizazz. Now I’m left searching for a knob to properly dress up the dash of the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] generation FX. Globe’s steel knobs are too classy. Globe’s design in an aluminum are too basic. Anodized aluminum will look too ricey. Honestly, the stock Infiniti knobs are a good design. I like the black with aluminum strip look and they light up well.
How about some other ideas though? First, I thought of some wild and detailed designs that would go well with aluminum dash highlights and exude a fun sporty look and feel. My thought was to make a knob matching the design of an OEM 8-spoke rim or GTR rim. The outside diameter/surface would be either flat & smooth, or with tire tread, or shaped with lip and no tire. Another option is to include a rotor and caliper behind the spoke design which would be more evident when backlit.
I tinkered around in CAD a little bit with the thought a metal knob of a scale Infiniti 20” rim and maybe with tire tread.
With this elaborate knob design, brushed steel would provide the best look and feel. I don’t think aluminum would have the ideal feel. These pictures show the brushed steel look I would probably go for. Inner rim, spokes, and center cap are still being worked on. This material is a sintered tool steel.
Then I thought of the idea of applying black softouch to the rubber tire portion of the steel wheel knob. This lead to mocking up some plastic rims with rubber tires to match my wheels (OEM 20”s and Hankook RH06 tires). So here’s the current result so far. Two back to back holiday weekends have given so much needed tinker time. We’ll see what direction this goes, if any. I don’t even know how much I like the idea. These knobs add a fun and sporty twist, but I don’t want to detract from any sophisticated or luxury aspects of the FX. If cheesy, I'll stick with the originals which also look just fine. Should I continue with this knob idea or continue with the 1 piece steel wheel knob idea?
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