Today I decided to wrap my radio knobs in chrome vinyl. I know that a while back there was a way to buy them, after searching on line I couldn't find any. So here is my attempt at turning our plastic knobs into poor man's chrome knobs lol.
From this to this:
View attachment 8351
What you'll need:
About an hour of your time
Two knobs from your radio
Chrome vinyl or chrome tape
Exacto knife or a scalpel
Heat gun
Primer
And a strong finger nail(s)
1. Prep your knobs by removing any dirt grease etc. I used some nail polish.
2. Take the knobs apart. There are three clips inside that hold the top part on the knob. Push them in and out with a flat screwdriver. Don't put too much pressure to avoid breaking the clips.
You should have this:
View attachment 8340
3. Cut two 4" long stripes that will wrap the side of the knobs. Slightly wider than the wall of the knob itself.
Cut two squarish pieces for the top, 2 as much, think of Hershey's Kisses chocolates, or upholstering a button for a couch/pillow.
View attachment 8341
4 start with the top of the knob - the "button". Put it in the middle of the square. With your thumb apply the vinyl evenly on top and slightly wrap it down. With a heat gun heat it up and immediately stretch it down to remove any creases and achieve a smooth surface all around the edge. Twist and set aside.
View attachment 8342
View attachment 8343
5. Now to wrap the wall of the button. Since it has ridges all over you will need to squeeze the vinyl in one at a time, think squeeze and fold, squeeze and fold. Until you wrap the entire side. Round the extra vinyl underneath and cut the excess on top, where the ring goes.
View attachment 8344
6. Put it all back together
View attachment 8345
And enjoy your new shiny knobs
View attachment 8346
If your bezel is wrapped in CF like mine you can also wrap the ring with the same CF like I did.
And you're done
View attachment 8347
View attachment 8348
View attachment 8349
View attachment 8350
Feedback and questions always welcome.
From this to this:
View attachment 8351
What you'll need:
About an hour of your time
Two knobs from your radio
Chrome vinyl or chrome tape
Exacto knife or a scalpel
Heat gun
Primer
And a strong finger nail(s)
1. Prep your knobs by removing any dirt grease etc. I used some nail polish.
2. Take the knobs apart. There are three clips inside that hold the top part on the knob. Push them in and out with a flat screwdriver. Don't put too much pressure to avoid breaking the clips.
You should have this:
View attachment 8340
3. Cut two 4" long stripes that will wrap the side of the knobs. Slightly wider than the wall of the knob itself.
Cut two squarish pieces for the top, 2 as much, think of Hershey's Kisses chocolates, or upholstering a button for a couch/pillow.
View attachment 8341
4 start with the top of the knob - the "button". Put it in the middle of the square. With your thumb apply the vinyl evenly on top and slightly wrap it down. With a heat gun heat it up and immediately stretch it down to remove any creases and achieve a smooth surface all around the edge. Twist and set aside.
View attachment 8342
View attachment 8343
5. Now to wrap the wall of the button. Since it has ridges all over you will need to squeeze the vinyl in one at a time, think squeeze and fold, squeeze and fold. Until you wrap the entire side. Round the extra vinyl underneath and cut the excess on top, where the ring goes.
View attachment 8344
6. Put it all back together
View attachment 8345
And enjoy your new shiny knobs
View attachment 8346
If your bezel is wrapped in CF like mine you can also wrap the ring with the same CF like I did.
And you're done
View attachment 8347
View attachment 8348
View attachment 8349
View attachment 8350
Feedback and questions always welcome.
