Hey guys, I was wondering what you do to fix up the little interior parts, like switches, radio faces, etc. Since over time these things either become covered in scratches, faded, or both.

For instance, what can I do about the fading plastic going around the power mirror controls? What about the faded white lettering on the window switches?



And anyway I can fix these scratches on my radio?



It's small stuff but it's all driving me crazy considering how even though it seems minor, it all adds up and makes the interior look kinda shabby and aged. Thanks for the help!

 

Well some stuff you can hide behind plastic polishes, products like Mothers Back to Black, etc. Other things benefit greatly from new paint. Things like the power window, mirror, switches and the turn signal stalk where the lettering wears off, the easiest fix is to break out the wallet at the dealership. It's a bit expensive and silly replacing switches that work just because the lettering is worn off, but then NOS parts make a big impact.

I'd polish the radio with Zaino or Mother's plastic polish. Pop the frame off the power mirror switch and paint it, and either carefully repaint the window switches, or spring for new ones.

 

Some radio restoration places either have replacement radio faces or can restore yours to new by cleaning it up and installing a new lens. Plus, they may be able to upgrade the CD player to current specs and install a hidden aux input jack in the back so you can hook up your MP3 player. As far as switches...carefully disassemble them and you can repaint the frame and if you get a really really fine paintbrush for model kits, at a hobby store, and use a very steady hand, you can repaint the letters.

For the turn signal stalk, places like Autozone offer replacements that are exact matches of the original part. They can be pricey though, and it's usually the cruise control portion that makes it expensive. Another option is to scour junkyards for a good one, they used that stalk with white lettering in millions of GM cars from the 80s through the 90s, just make sure it has the same connector on it and fits your column. That's what I did to replace the turn signal stalk in my 91 Z28, since it is VERY hard to find new ones w/ yellow print, I got lucky and scored a mint one from a local yard for less than $5 bucks.

For the grid pattern Pontiac used on some interior pieces like radio trim and shifter plates, you are out of luck. You'd either need to find NOS ones or clean used ones.

 

Some items, like the power window switches, are so readily available brand new, that it doesn't make much sense to bother trying to screw with the old ones.

 

What about the firebird rectangles on the door panels near the door handles with the screw behind it? I managed to scrape mine up pretty bad : (

 

New, they were $2-3 each when I stocked up several years ago... I bought several of the cup holder plugs too.

 

Where can these new power window switches be found for an IROC?

 

They were cheap from the dealer last time I checked.

 

If for some reason the dealer doesn't have them anymore, check ebay. I'm sure there's a thousand auctions for them.

 

You might be able to find them cheaper but Hawks has them as well:
http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/switches_1.aspx