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Hey guys, my 5 has one of those wooden handbrake levers, the poor thing is looking a bit tire and the varnish has craked and flaked off.

I'd like to sand it back and give it a new coat but can seem to get the damn thing off, are there any tricks to the removal? I couldn't see and screws or fastenings, am I missing something?

cheers
MB

You unscrew the button in the middle if you want then you yank it off. I think its just "silicone/glued" into place.

I had one mate, it took alot of swearing, twisting and pulling. Got it off but every day i spent about 10 mins on it. They are generally glued on with a gard yellow glue. Once you break the seal it's childs play

maybe do the renovation in situ ( though it would be easy off)- just mask it up carefully and allow overnight for drying- you might need to apply a few coats and rub down to get a good result. Varnish which I guess you will use plus a clear coat are , if you want long life, oil based. You can I think only go same shade or darker but not lighter.

Mr Morlock wrote:maybe do the renovation in situ ( though it would be easy off)- just mask it up carefully and allow overnight for drying- you might need to apply a few coats and rub down to get a good result. Varnish which I guess you will use plus a clear coat are , if you want long life, oil based. You can I think only go same shade or darker but not lighter.

hmm you might have a point, although sanding it while its on there is going to probably be more of pain the revarnishing. What do i do about the area that has no varnish and has soaked sweaty hands over the summer? light sand? will varnish stick to that?

varnish will certainly stick to a sanded surface- you can apply varnish with a cloth or a sponge and that is sometimes easier than a brush. Since you are painting a wooden knob it really does not matter that it is automotive.Your local paint shop is often able to give advice. You can buy varnish and clear coats in small containers.

Best part about wooden bits in a modern sports car is removing and burning them I hope it comes up a treat and proves me wrong.

Okibi wrote:Best part about wooden bits in a modern sports car is removing and burning them I hope it comes up a treat and proves me wrong.

I did actually think about that for a while. but in the end, I couldn't find a replacement. they are either ugly as sin or too bloody epensive

I like some tree in my car!
I got my handbrake lever from Jimmy (thanks again) for free (paid for postage).
Also picked up a Nardi (wooden) polished wheel originally from a Datsun 180B (so it has a thinner rim than the wheels used on the Eunos which are black spoked) off fleabay.
No desire for a wood dash, but happy with the look, everyone has their own preferences.
I had to refinish the rim and used progreessively finer papers then applied a few coats of marine varnish. I'm happy with the result.