How to redo my heater controls...?

by bitterfitter Mon Apr 08, 2013 8:55 pm

I was looking over my dash and notice that my heater controls are pretty crappy looking. I have A/C in the car. The controls work fine but the black paper behind the clear plastic where the knobs are is wrinkled pretty good. Any way you guys know to fix this to make it look good again? Or where can I get a new one? How to redo my heater controls...? Dsc00710

How to redo my heater controls...? Dsc00710

My chrome knobs look sort of clean but the levers themselves are rusty also.

by Laguna Budman Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:02 pm

The letters are on the back of the clear plastic. You can pop off that plastic piece, remove the black paper behind it but be careful not to tear it. Ypu will use it as a template. Go to like a Hobby Lobby and buy a piece of heavy black paper and cut out your pattern and put it where your old one was and put clear plastic over it. Works great! How to redo my heater controls...? 00410

How to redo my heater controls...? 00410

Sorry best pic I could find, but it works good.

by bitterfitter Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:07 pm

I think I remember that now. Isn't it just snapped around the side or something? They are not glued in anyway are they?

by Mcarlo77 Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:15 pm

Why not just spray some satin or semi-gloss black paint after you remove the paper backing? I restored one for a Lemans and it turned out great.

How to redo my heater controls...? 7377le10

How to redo my heater controls...? 7377le10

by bitterfitter Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:19 pm

did you spray it on the back of the clear plastic or the black piece behind it?

by ant7377 Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:24 pm

How do you get the colors on the cold to hot line?

by Laguna Budman Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:40 pm

The colors are on the back of the clear piece(hot to cold and so forth). You could just paint the black like Mcarlo77 said but I just got a piece of heavier than paper black and cut it out and put it behind the clear. It was a piece of woven scrap booking paper that has uv protector

by 77mali Mon Apr 08, 2013 10:35 pm

Be careful- if the clear cover cracks it's toast. I removed mine by carefully inserting a few old style razor blades on the sides and "lifting it out" of the backing plate. Also you have to (VERY carefully) softly wiggle the knobs off the sliding levers- they'll come out eventually & won't break if your careful. You can use a good quality glue epoxy to reinstall them after. IIRC, you'll have to take the dash bezel off to get the controls out & there's this pesky screw too...
How to redo my heater controls...? P1020510

How to redo my heater controls...? P1020510

These type of blades:
http://www.toolking.com/hyde-tools-13138-single-edge-razor-blades-single-edge-box-of-50?CAWELAID=1504085470&catargetid=1436452153&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CKm8w87CvLYCFUWd4Aod1ycAbw

by Mcarlo77 Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:05 am

Actually, the easiest way to remove the clear plastic is to release the two tabs along the top of the control. Like Mali said, use the tip of a razor blade or thin pry tool to gently lift up the retaining tab to release and the plastic will then pop right out.

by 74MonteCarlo Tue Apr 09, 2013 9:14 pm

I've always had GREAT luck getting some black contact paper and using that. Of course, not "sticking" it to anything.

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