E-brake handle and heat controls

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rjkoop
Posts: 976
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:45 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

E-brake handle and heat controls

Post by rjkoop »

As part of my 'rolling restore' I removed the heater controls and the e-brake handle.

Image

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They are both rusted so I'd like to refinish. I'm thinking...
- prep and POR-15 base
- wire wheel handle and controls
- prime with primer
- re-chrome

Should I paint black (maybe the controls) or chrome (e-brake)? If chrome can I re-chrome the pieces myself? There is a spray re-chrome but it got some bad reviews (at least the Duplicolor). Or should I send them out to be re-done?

Also I noticed that the e-brake handle doesn't have a button/whatever) to release it. Is mine missing this piece? Anyone have a picture of a functioning one?
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SLOSpider
Posts: 1140
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:10 am
Your car is a: 1973 124 Spider 2.0FI
Location: Lompoc, Ca USA

Re: E-brake handle and heat controls

Post by SLOSpider »

The lever bezel may clean up. Soap and water and a good scrub brush. Some 000 steel wool. If the brake lever is missing the release button then you will have to get a new one or another lever. Unless you are chroming other items Id just paint it.
1975 124 Spider
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: E-brake handle and heat controls

Post by azruss »

I would ask in the "parts wanted" section to see if any of the group has one. Wouldnt take much to get one in better condition than yours. would be cheaper than rechroming.
User avatar
rjkoop
Posts: 976
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:45 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: E-brake handle and heat controls

Post by rjkoop »

SLOSpider wrote:The lever bezel may clean up. Soap and water and a good scrub brush. Some 000 steel wool. If the brake lever is missing the release button then you will have to get a new one or another lever. Unless you are chroming other items Id just paint it.
Guys,
Thanks for the quick advice. Steel wool worked great!

Before
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After
Image

And I realized that the button was just stuck and not broken.

Onto the next job!
User avatar
SLOSpider
Posts: 1140
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:10 am
Your car is a: 1973 124 Spider 2.0FI
Location: Lompoc, Ca USA

Re: E-brake handle and heat controls

Post by SLOSpider »

Nice! Now clear coat it or keep a good coat of wax on it.
1975 124 Spider
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
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