HVAC knobs

[nice96gt]

What was the first year GA that doesn't have the white plastic on the knob behing the vinyl? I want to clear mine but since I have that white plastic I can't. I'm gonna pick up a set from a wreckers, but I need to know what year to grab them from. Also, would the knobs from a 99+ fit a 96? I heard they were mostly universal but I'm not sure.

[96_GA_GT]

i'm pretty sure u can clear the 96 ones, i've seen it done before, u just gotta do it right, and for the 99+ ones i'm not too sure, but i hope it is possible, cuz i think they're a little bit sleeker looking

[nice96gt]

I've heard of people with 97's and 98's clearing them so I'm not sure...

I don't think you can, I took some pics of what they look like...see the white plastic, I don't think that can come off. Or maybe it can???

[3 DeeJay]

You can always try.. You can always grab one from a JY if you mess up or whatever..

[96_GA_GT]

well i just did a quick search, and i think what u can do is just use a razor blade or something to get rid of the white plastic, but you might want to get a set from the junkyard or something to try it on, rather than messing with ur originals

[VanishingImage]

My 97 you can't.I got all that vinyl off,the white is actually the plastic itself.I was going to try to get it clear then paint it white so it had more of a shine to it but I found I couldn't so I just sprayed them with some Krylon Fusion white,has a nice shine to them. I don't think you can clear the 96-98 HVAC knobs,haven't seen anyone with cleared ones,only the white but most of them have painted them to match their color scheme.

Oh and that red part of the knob in that pic,thats just a single piece that pops on there so when the light behind them is on it makes them glow red or orange.My whole knob glows that color now,I need to put a few more coats of white on there,but keep the little indicator the orginal color so you can see where the knob is facing.

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
My 97 you can't.I got all that vinyl off,the white is actually the plastic itself.I was going to try to get it clear then paint it white so it had more of a shine to it but I found I couldn't so I just sprayed them with some Krylon Fusion white,has a nice shine to them. I don't think you can clear the 96-98 HVAC knobs,haven't seen anyone with cleared ones,only the white but most of them have painted them to match their color scheme.

Oh and that red part of the knob in that pic,thats just a single piece that pops on there so when the light behind them is on it makes them glow red or orange.My whole knob glows that color now,I need to put a few more coats of white on there,but keep the little indicator the orginal color so you can see where the knob is facing.

Yeah, I figured that was the case. I was just hoping someone would prove me wrong. :D I'd still like to customize some 99+ knobs to fit (that is if they don't already). I may go pick one up and see if I can get it to fit. I'll let ya know how it goes. Thanks for letting me know about your '97. :)

[VanishingImage]

no prob...Let me know if the 99+ knobs will fit:)

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
no prob...Let me know if the 99+ knobs will fit:)

I got a '99 GA HVAC knob today to see if it would be close to a 96...not even freakin' close. To get it to work, there would need to be some fabrication...

1. The 96-98 knob has a plastic stem on the inside of the knob that attaches to the unit. The 99+ does not. You need that stem to be able to plug the knob on.

2. The shape of the openings (round with a flat side, used to attach knob to unit), which are in the middle of the knobs, are opposite to each other. On the 96-98, the flat side is on the top side of the knob where as the 99+ is on the bottom.

3. Finally the little piece that prevents the knob from turning past a certain point on the 96-98 knob is on the bottom side and is long, where as on the 99+, there are 3 tabs that are small.

See the pics and you'll see what I mean. (99+ knob is on the left and the 96-98 knob is on the right)

If there would be a way to securely attach the plastic stem from the 96-98 knob to the 99+ knob, then it could work. But not worth the headache IMO. Still it would be sweet to have cleared HVAC knobs. Maybe there is an alternative out there for us, who knows...

[kieler]

i did it to my 97 look http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/433994

[Gamebay11]

I was lucky, mine fell of one day, but i didnt like the look so i superglued it back on. would you be able to just peel the grey paint off with nail polish remover(if it is only paint, like the door switches), if so let me know

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by kieler
i did it to my 97 look http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/433994

I did see yours a while ago, but I'm not sure if I like the look with the holes in them where the white plastic was attached...Still looks ok though.

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by Gamebay11
I was lucky, mine fell of one day, but i didnt like the look so i superglued it back on. would you be able to just peel the grey paint off with nail polish remover(if it is only paint, like the door switches), if so let me know

The grey stuff is vinyl that is attached to the white/red plastic knob, it's not paint. Also it is not like your switches, so nail polish remover won't take the grey off like it will on the swithces. You also can't just peel it off in most cases, you have to cut it off.