I have a 2001 MY. So the piece I'm talking about is the dark silver metal 'ring' that surrounds both the shifter and also the roof/emergency cluster. I don't want to go to my Honda dealer unless absolutely necessary. Also, does the piece pop on from the top, or does it need to be installed from underneath the main plastic housing? Not an earth-shatteringly interesting topic, I know...

 

It's not metal. I believe it's painted plastic. Some owners have polished that paint right off, leaving a very attractive ring. Get some rubbing alcohol and an old sock and go to work. It takes a bit of elbow grease to get it done but I've seen the results and people say it's worth it.

 

Tanks, xviper. I just tried it... was a little skeptical at first because nothing else in the car is bright silver like that ring with the paint rubbed off... but I have to admit it looks very sharp.

 

if you want the brushed aluminum look, try wet sanding with some lighter sandpaper (black kind).

I did it in the kitchen sink on my MY01. looked like brushed metal.

 

And then it matches our foot pedals

 

Anyone have a pic or a how-to for the brushed look? I polished the paint off long time ago.

 

get some black sandpaper

take off the shift knob. remove the whole console. take to kitchen sink. sand while running water over the sanded area.

 

Careful! I know by "black sandpaper" you're meaning wet sandpaper...but regardless this should be a v-e-r-y fine grit paper at best. Most plastics are just that...plastics. Then one or another paint/finish is applied. Wouldn't want to sand all the way down to clear or beige plastic!

 

All I did was use steel wool (actually an SOS pad). Worked like a charm...lickity-split.

 

The only problem I found with removing the original finish is how easily finger prints end up on it now. Bummer. I found I was wiping off the console just about every time I got into/out of the car. I eventually replaced the console with a newer one, so problem solved.

Has anyone clear-coated over the polished look?