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Refurbing alloy handbrake cover #1387567
25/10/2012 20:03
25/10/2012 20:03
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,614
Bucks
jame5 Offline OP
I need some sleep
jame5  Offline OP
I need some sleep

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,614
Bucks
I've had an alloy handbrake cover i bought from ebay knocking around for a few weeks now. I was a bit annoyed when i got it because the photo had been cunningly taken to hide the severe corrosion on the upper surface but hey that's ebay and it was cheap as chips.
Today i decided to give it a sand to see how it would come up and i have to say i'm pretty chuffed with the results. The original finish was polished, which didn't really suit my car, brushed alloy matches my starter button and steering wheel nicely.

Before
click to enlarge click to enlarge
After
click to enlarge click to enlarge

Just need three new rubber O rings to finish it off. I can do a 'how to' if anyone is interested.

Last edited by jame5; 25/10/2012 20:21.

Re: Refurbing alloy handbrake cover [Re: jame5] #1387624
25/10/2012 22:49
25/10/2012 22:49
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
South east
Rob Offline
On a journey
Rob  Offline
On a journey

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 135
South east
I'm interested jame5! I have an original alloy one in the same condition & would love to be able to fit it to my plus!

Re: Refurbing alloy handbrake cover [Re: jame5] #1387644
26/10/2012 00:07
26/10/2012 00:07
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,614
Bucks
jame5 Offline OP
I need some sleep
jame5  Offline OP
I need some sleep

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,614
Bucks
Ok, you need a drill, a strong metal or wooden rod small enough to fit in the drill chuck (i used a paint whisk), some duct tape, gloves and sand paper (i used 80 then 120 grit).
First remove the rubber rings, then wrap the tape around the rod until its just smaller than the inside diameter of the handle, then slide the handle down the rod until it sits snugly over the tape like this.
click to enlarge
Screw in the grub screws into the tape to secure the handle on the rod and put the rod in the drill.

click to enlarge
Now set the drill on the fastest setting, put a glove/ gloves on, take a piece of sand paper in one hand and wrap it around the handle. Start slowly at first (it will get hot so be careful) and build up to a reasonable speed. Moving the handle back and forth through the sand paper while spinning will cut quicker and not leave any deeper rings scored into the handle. Moving it back and forth slowly while spinning fast will leave the brushed pattern all in the same direction instead of criss crossed sanding marks everywhere. Keep going until all the corrosion has been sanded off, you will need to stop several times as it will get very hot! I used 80 grit then 120 grit to leave it with a brushed look.

click to enlarge
click to enlarge
If you wanted to polish it just repeat the sanding process with finer and finer sand paper and eventually a cloth and some autosol or similar.



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