n1ffer

Hi all.

I have been fortunate enough to find NOS hatch release and rear defroster switches for my '83 TA.

Needless to say these were not cheap.

I will be installing them in a car that by no means will be a daily driver or see much sun light, but after what I paid and how hard these are to come by, I would like them to last as long as they can in NOS condition.

Is there anything I can do to preserve these suckers and keep them from getting grey and loosing the white lettering paint?

The only thing I can think of is a clear coat of paint, but moving buttons and paint don't necessarily sound like a great solution.

Anyone have any methods that have worked? Any suggestions?

Thanks for the input!

Todd

gt4373

Don't Think So,But Since You Won't Be Driving It That Much And Parking It In The Sun For Hours ,They Should Last A Long Time.

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

I hear you brother! Anything to do with 82-83 models seem to come at a premium nowadays....just keep it out of sunlight when you're not showing it, and it should last a couple decades....Luckily, I don't have near a rare model like you have. Nice!

Van Nuys born

The sun is the culprit. If in the sun put a sun screen in the window and throw a towel over them if you want.

If you park inside and are careful they should last for years..... my 89's are original and look fine, it's always been garaged and taken care of.

navy02ws6

Be careful not to ever touch the white printed parts! That's about all I can recommend other than the obvious (don't park it outside).

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Don't paint them. Just keep them out of the sun. Oh - and don't use them. They seem to wear quickly.

Van Nuys born

Was this a problem with the earlier switches, or do all years do it ? heres an 83 with real low miles and they have turned grey...... unless it sat out in the sun at some point in it's life ?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3701240209.html

FormerL69

iTrader: (2)

I had an 84 Z back in the day and it spent its entire life outside in the Illinois sun. The car had T-tops and I did not have or use a sunshade. I sold it in 1992 and the switches were still black, so I can only assume that GM started using better materials in 84. The interior plastics on my pace car are junk from years of sitting in the Florida sun.

Van Nuys born

I also saw an 82 that had been garaged all it's life and the switches were grey.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

When I got my '83, not only were the switches gray, the edges were so worn through, that they had holes in them. Of course, as the OP mentioned, the correct replacement switches are the most expensive ones out there.

Van Nuys born

I take it the switches are year specific..... the later ones won't work on an early car ?

These are the type of things / bugs that get corrected later in a model run, hopefully.

LHernandezJr

...

n1ffer

I was pretty much afraid that there probably wasn't much that can be done. Not only worried about sun damage, but also skin oils and how that will affect them.

My hatch release button has been installed for about 2 years and it maybe has been in the sunlight 20 hours, and that may be a stretch. I rarely drive it as the fuel pump is just about dead and we only have about 6 months a year I can drive it in Michigan. It is stored inside with a cover during the winter as well, and when I do leave the car in the sun I cover the dash and console and use windshield sunscreens whenever possible.

I also just barely push the corner of the hatch release switch with my thumb nail when I use it and try to just use the key in the lock as opposed to the release button as often as makes sense to keep usage down and keep it pretty.

I don't know what else I can do, but I am already noticing slight reduction in quality from two years ago. I really expected that with hardly any sun time and hardly ever using it that it would last forever.

I think between the two switches I have about $350 invested. Not cheap, but a must have for a perfect interior.

Oh well, between all the KITT/KARR makers pushing up the prices on the the weird uniqueness of the early year third gens switches, console lids, dash pads, fender air extractors, air dams, rims, etc. and me also having the doeskin interior with Recaro seats, I should expect to keep paying high prices for a car not worth much!!! lol

LHernandezJr

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n1ffer

Absolutely. Why else do we keep putting so much good money and hard work into this? I saw the thread asking how much investment each of us have into our cars. I don't even want to get out that calculator.

But there is also no way I will stop getting this car closer to perfect!