I am thinking of getting a new shift **** that looks great with the factory shift pattern engraved on top. However, it might look a little wierd with two shift patterns right next to each other.

How difficult is it to remove the factory shift pattern on the shifter trim ring? Is it painted on and I can get it off with some paint thinner or is it etched in the trim and I am screwed as far as removing it goes? Thanks


Only pic I could find of the trim ring with the shift pattern for reference (not the shift **** I am getting):

 

It's not painted on to where you can simply remove it, it's permanent. Otherwise I would easily rub off over time. You'd have to refinish the trim ring, like painting it or covering it with vinyl or something like that.

 

So it must be etched into the trim ring? Damn, I was afraid you were going to say that

 

Get some decent vinyl and wrap it, it's in my plans after I wrapped my steering wheel trim in 3m carbon fiber but there are endless color/pattern possibilities and if done well and with quality vinyl, it looks a lot better than I ever thought it would. Just my .02$

 

I thought about that, but I really like the brushed aluminum trim inside. I think a ton of carbon wrap would make it too black inside. I did carbon wrap in my last Evo over a lot of black plastic and that looked ok because we tinted the chrome and added dark gray suede inserts in the doors so there was still some contrast. Thanks for the idea though.

I think I am just going to see if they can put a different design on top of the shift ****

 

It's painted and cleared on. Remove the ring and spray aircraft stripper on it. Let it eat the paint and wipe it off. Then sand it down with various grits of sand paper starting with a 600 and finishing with a 2000 or where ever your preference is. Here's mine...

 

Oh that's good news. Thanks!

 

So the trim piece is metal? Did you use the sand paper to remove the last of the painted shift pattern and match the brushed aluminum look or for something else? I brought this piece to my body shop and they figured it would need to be repainted.

 

So after hearing back from 35Sport (thanks for the idea), I was able to track down some Airplane Stripper from Autozone. (not at Home Depot or Lowe's) It will remove the clearcoat and after another application, also the shift pattern.

You will have to remove the clearcoat from the entire trim ring which will take multiple attempts. So be patient and make sure you remove the ring entirely from the plastic and do it outside on a breezy day because the Airplane Stripper is really toxic and flammable. It would probably bore to the center of the earth if you let it.

I used soft cloth rags to remove the clearcoat and then I will polish up the trim ring with a variety of compounds and polishes. The end result will look much shinier like the trim around the heated seat controls.



2nd attempt loosened up most of the clear coat





After the 3rd attempt, 90% of the clearcoat is removed and I polished the bottom half to see what it would look like

 

looks good

 

Looks good. Glad you were able to find a seemingly simple solution!

 

Me too. I was worried I was going to ruin it like my dash panel and have to spend a small fortune to replace that part.

 

I love the forums. They've definitely helped me. I was able to swap my motor thanks to the FSM sticky. I like helping where I can

 

So today I finally got the rest of the clear coat off and cleaned it up with some aluminum polish. Then I put a little wax on it to help it avoid finger prints. Now I am just waiting for the new shift **** to arrive...

 

Is that more shiny than it was originally? And just raw aluminum now... no clear coat?

I was thinking you'd put a matte clear coat over it when you were done.