How to clean/relacquer a stickshift ball? | FerrariChat
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How to clean/relacquer a stickshift ball?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by TimF40, Jan 19, 2007.

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  1. TimF40

    TimF40 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
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    #1 TimF40, Jan 19, 2007
    The clearcoat is rubbing off my 550’s stickshift ball. I need to fix it somehow.

    I remember reading something on the subject on fchat someplace, but my searches didn’t find the thread. Part of the thread was about a ball exchange (okay, I’m now expecting all the puberty challenged members to chime in… ;-) ).

    Seems like I should be able to strip the existing clearcoat (or whatever it is) off and reapply a coating? I’d rather keep the current ball and not “exchange” it.

    Great thanks to a pointer to the thread, or hints on how to do the refurbish properly.

    Thanks!

    Tim
     
  2. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #2 miketuason, Jan 19, 2007
    Can you just replace it?
     
  3. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    #3 smg2, Jan 19, 2007
    Tim, if you can get it off <---- haha more humor ;) then i'd take it to any wheel refinish shop, they can strip and re-coat the clear like any aluminum rim.
     
  4. TimF40

    TimF40 Formula 3

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    #4 TimF40, Jan 20, 2007
    Of course. It's just that "we've" been through a lot together and I'm partial to it... ;-)

    Yes I can get it off and will probably take it to the local "wheel" shop as above.

    Guess I just need to loosen my grip a little!

    Thx - Tim
     
  5. Harmonyautosport

    Harmonyautosport Formula Junior

    Apr 28, 2006
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    #5 Harmonyautosport, Jan 20, 2007
    We can recondition it for you. Details in pm.
     
  6. ken higgins

    ken higgins Karting

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    #6 ken higgins, Jan 21, 2007
    I used an electric wire wheel to take off the clear coat. You can also use paint remover. I then polished it with a buffing wheel and it looked like chrome. You use metal polish to do the same The numbers on mine were painted black and I repainted them red. Looks great!
     
  7. rcallahan

    rcallahan F1 Rookie
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    #7 rcallahan, Jan 21, 2007
    They don't have a "clear coat"
     
  8. TimF40

    TimF40 Formula 3

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    #8 TimF40, Jan 21, 2007
    ?? They have "something". If not clear coat, what is it? - Tim
     
  9. tonyc

    tonyc Formula 3

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    #9 tonyc, Jan 21, 2007
    What type of paint did you use and how small was the brush?
     
  10. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #10 f355spider, Jan 21, 2007
    There is definitely a clearcoat on my shifter ball on my 355. It was all cracked and nasty looking so I just replaced it with a Hill Engineering one that was chrome plated. I was hoping the chrome would be resistant to hazing but it is not, so I have to use Flitz or Wenol polish every few months.

    I would love to hear what would be best to use to strip and reapply the clearcoat. I assume some sort of paint stripper and then a clear laquer of some sort....
     
  11. rcallahan

    rcallahan F1 Rookie
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    #11 rcallahan, Jan 23, 2007
    They come with a clear plastic cover that you're supposed to removed (torn away) when you get the car. Most don't, then it dries, becomes brittle, and is hard to remove. It becomes chipped from rings etc. Why would Ferrari put a "clear coat" n polished aluminum?
     
  12. ken higgins

    ken higgins Karting

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    #12 ken higgins, Jan 23, 2007
    My car is red so I used the touch up match on the shift ball. I used the tough up brush in the jar and lightly wiped off the excess with thinner. The results are perfect. I like the highly polished ball rather than clear coat. I also painted the Cavalino on the shifter plate.
     

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