My shift knob has seen better days. I've poked around online and seen some people polish these with sandpaper/dremel, but the result looks too shiny for my taste. Any way I can sand through the nicks but keep the brushed/matte looking finish?



Leather is also wearing where it meets the metal

 

Matte finish is probably a painted layer.

I taped off the metal and sanded it, it turned out well. 180, 220, 320, 400, 800, 1000 grits.

Another option would be to buy a new or used one

 

I honestly think you are better off replacing the whole shift knob with another OEM one. It would take some effort to sand down the metal and revive the leather to the condition you seek for. Plus you would have to buy the equipment to do so...

 

Any pics? I'm thinking the shiny look I'm trying to avoid comes from finishing with a metal polish, as seen in this massive thread

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/diy-h...hift-knob.html


yuck

 

^ That's buffed with a high speed jewelers pad and polish.

You can stop at any grit that you like. At around 800 grit you'll stop seeing the scratches left from the courser grits and it will have a matter finish.

I think you'll be happy with it.

Honestly, anything is better then your scratched up one.

it will take a bit of elbow grease to get it back.

Update:
I checked my shifter and it has a reflective polish surface but not like the above.

 

I got an M10x1.5 bolt and used my power drill to make a poor man's lathe. I used 40, 80, then 800 grip sandpaper. Some of the leather finish flecked off when I took the painters tape off, but overall I'm pleased with the result. I may try to get some paint to touch up the numbers.