Shift knob restoring...how?

[Gundun]

Hello ladies and chaps.

A while ago I purchased an OEM shifter knob, the short version made by polished aluminum from a guy in NL.
The problem is that in the picture it looked mint (it's the one on the left, the right one that would have suited my mat chrome interiors better was already sold) , while once home it's full of tiny scratches, probably made by a ring from the previous owner.

Now I have the possibility to buff it off and re-polish it but, having the matt chrom interiors I was thinking if I can actually make it "brushed" effect using the Dremel with the iron brush or some 220grit sandpaper.

Does anybody have some good tip or experience to share to help?

 

[Gundun]

Ok so, this didn't get much love so I'll respond myself.
After noticing the "scratches" on the aluminum looked way more like "cracks" I started fiddling with a plastic fork to remove the gear pattern badge on top and then it's when few chips of resin coating started to come off and then I saw the light: there is a protective clear coat that went brittle and hard overtime.

Fast forward a day, back with some gel paint stripper I smeared that knob real good and after a few minutes started bubbling up revealing a shiny surface of bare aluminum beneath.

Little bit of scraping around and then Dremel buffing with felt pad and some diamond 0,25micron paste for a great mirror finish. The aluminum was so polished that even a napkin will draw hairlines on it, so here came into play a spray can of clear coat finish.

And this is when it hit me: the knob on the post above on the right is nothing else than the same knob I purchased with a SATIN clear coat to give the matt chrom effect and the ///M sticker pattern instead of the traditional one!

...so I gave it 4 hands of satin clear coat on top of that mirror finish surface, meanwhile 2 new shift pattern ///M version stickers were on their way straight from the bay.

I now have a brand new immaculate ///M version short shift knob matt chrom finish that perfectly pairs with my matt chrom interior

Next I am planning to swap the original one long version, restore it and upgrade it to illuminated

 

[BMBabe]

Awesome job any pics

 

[Gundun]

Awesome job any pics

Thanks @BMBabe I've added a few shots of the work in progress, I will post the final result soon and once assembled the effect on the car

 

[BMBabe]

Thanks @BMBabe I've added a few shots of the work in progress, I will post the final result soon and once assembled the effect on the car

Wow really impressed by the pictures
I thought you would have Zedders queuing up for a refurb
Can't wait to see final pics of both of them

 

[Gundun]

Last result pic added

It's not perfect, but I am very proud of my first attempt ever.
Will keep you posted on the restoration of the OEM that's currently still on the car.