Re: 1948 Packard interior plastics

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2022/11/5 18:30:58

Search this topic: This came up not too long ago and someone was trying to remove one(hood pull?) or something and they're molded on.
It doesn't do much good to make the knobs only as they won't fit the shafts.
I don't think there were any repro for that reason.
I tried to get some of the same plastic escutcheon rounds that go under the handles that protect the door panel and had no luck. I'd omit in the "someday" new interior. The plastic was tenite or butyrate pigmented and blended to look like ivory and appears to degrade over time. Maybe marble dust or other fillers. I think epoxy is a better choice if you want to repair. You can make a blank out of turned wood or plastic and make the mold in two parts and encase the old knob and add the epoxy. Turn, sand, and/or polish as needed.
Fiberglass will be hard to match without painting. Not easy to use gel coat in a small item. There are injectible resins that will give the look, but not a pourable entity. Those are usually acrylics. The guy, Dennis, that does steering wheels (quality restorations, ins.) uses it and matches well. I was going to do the wheel, but the price scared me off to get a driver, but probably will put in a new column anyway.