Question for all of you, have you taken apart a horn button to clean it up? there are three rivits on the back which can be cut, and it looks like it will all come apart after thats done. Has any one done it? is it more trouble than it's worth? I assume you would have to epoxy all of the pieces back together after cleaning/painting. Thanks. Tim
Quite easy. I just redyed 3 horn buttons last week. Carefully drill out the rivets. They are 1/8" aluminum. Once the rivels are drilled out, it all comes apart. Its all keyed, so it only goes back together one way. No need to epoxy anything. Just get three new pop rivets and re-rivet it back together. It will be good as new I use "Sem" brand vinyl dye. The metal ring that holds the horn button to the contact I paint a dark grey primer. It mimics the black phosphate color it was originally. On the Buick emblem, use a bit of Mothers metal polish on the plastic to remove any scratches. I should do a "how to" thread! :idea2:
Thanks Jason, that sounds pretty easy. And you already answered my second question about the metal finish. I couldn't tell if mine was stainless color that was just dark or if it actually had that dark cast color from new. After you do the primer do you put on any type of matte clear or you just leave the primer the way it is? Perfect little project to do. Tim
Yep, doesnt take long. Here is a pictuure of one I just did. This one was a saddle/ tan color originally. I just primed the metal ring, I didnt think there was any need for clear. as you can see, it looks like brand new
That looks great! ok last question what did you do to base metal ( the side and front you see while on the wheel) it's not chrome. I'm thinking a sand blast then a buff to shine it up just a bit?? Tim
its supposed to be a rough/textured silver color. I cleaned it with some simple green and a toothbrush. Then used just a bit of mothers metal polish to remove any ground in dirt. Thats it
I ended up drilling thru cushion on mine. Might of stayed on center on one hole the others are egged shape. Then things got worse. I had to boil water hot enough to soften a Idaho potato just to separate cushion from ring. If I can't get it back together, I feel tat it can be used as sink stopper. Depending if a few hours in hot tank (°225) will remove the stick I ness
When you drill out a rivet, you don't drill it all the way through. All you want to do is drill it enough to remove the head. 1/8" drill bit is the size
Used a duplicolor spray for a silver blue finish. As for covering the hole drilled in cushion I applied dab of hi-temp silicone.. So much flexing involved to remount center nameplate the paint come off silicone / then as it was being riveted first pull on single rive t allowed misalignment on assembly + required dremel I to open hole.
