Refinishing switch bezels?

[dave stragand1]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of cleaning/refinishing a set of Electrolevel switches. (These are similar to the porch/galley/floor/water pump switches on GM-outfitted coaches.)

While rebuilding the mechanical function has been quick, I'm a bit stuck on the cosmetic refinishing of the bezel part around the rocker switches. While the rockers have remained smooth & shiny black, the surrounding bezel surface has oxidized into a chocolate brown, gritty, waxy finish that I'm not sure of the best wasy to refinish.

In my research, I've found folks with similar automotive rocker switches have suggested sanding and painting with trim black, but I thought I would ask y'all if anyone knew of a better way. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-Dave
1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh

 

[sgltrac]

You might try “cleaning” the plastic with automotive polishing compound.
Something with abrasives in it. That will remove the degraded layers of the
plastic and give you a fresh surface to paint without distorting the
surface with sand scratches. If you paint, avoid heavy wet coats as that
can attack the plastic.

Sully
Bellevue wa

> Hi All,
>
> I'm in the process of cleaning/refinishing a set of Electrolevel
> switches. (These are similar to the porch/galley/floor/water pump switches
> on GM-outfitted coaches.)
>
> While rebuilding the mechanical function has been quick, I'm a bit stuck
> on the cosmetic refinishing of the bezel part around the rocker switches.
> While the rockers have remained smooth & shiny black, the surrounding bezel
> surface has oxidized into a chocolate brown, gritty, waxy finish that I'm
> not sure of the best wasy to refinish.
>
> In my research, I've found folks with similar automotive rocker switches
> have suggested sanding and painting with trim black, but I thought I would
> ask y'all if anyone knew of a better way. Any suggestions would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Dave
> 1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

 

[Terry Taylor]

I started designing a replacement piece, but life got in the way (stroke and recovery). If there is enough interest, I could visit that again.

On Monday, November 8, 2021, 10:53:18 AM PST, Todd Sullivan wrote:

You might try “cleaning” the plastic with automotive polishing compound.
Something with abrasives in it. That will remove the degraded layers of the
plastic and give you a fresh surface to paint without distorting the
surface with sand scratches. If you paint, avoid heavy wet coats as that
can attack the plastic.

Sully
Bellevue wa

> Hi All,
>
> I'm in the process of cleaning/refinishing a set of Electrolevel
> switches.  (These are similar to the porch/galley/floor/water pump switches
> on GM-outfitted coaches.)
>
> While rebuilding the mechanical function has been quick, I'm a bit stuck
> on the cosmetic refinishing of the bezel part around the rocker switches.
> While the rockers have remained smooth & shiny black, the surrounding bezel
> surface has oxidized into a chocolate brown, gritty, waxy finish that I'm
> not sure of the best wasy to refinish.
>
> In my research, I've found folks with similar automotive rocker switches
> have suggested sanding and painting with trim black, but I thought I would
> ask y'all if anyone knew of a better way.  Any suggestions would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Dave
> 1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:

 

[john r. lebetski]

Perhaps interior trim/vinyl paint would be better than SEM or Marhyde satin trim black as interior paint is safe on plastics and the exterior is for
metal trim and might attack plastics. They also have vinyl and plastic primer for the prep step.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II