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Recreating transmition push buttons
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38295
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Author:  rlklaus [ Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Recreating transmition push buttons

OK, I'm probably not going to find a replacement neutral button for my 60 Valiant any time soon. I do however have the 4 door sitting here.
Thinking that a well made resin mold (like I use for model railroad stuff) could be used to duplicate the button from the 4 dr.
If this works, we could be on to something here. Make copies of most any small control that there still exists one copy of?
I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Author:  oklahoma joe [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 

hey mold making is what I do for a living. I make prosthesis and orthosis. I've been thinking about making some moulds for a 64 barracuda tail lenses some day. Here is a technique that i have used in making a silicone mould then covering it with a plaster backing.
Apply a very light layer of Vaseline and then heat with a hair dryer to get vaseline to melt and flow to a very very thin layer. Should be so thin you can hardly tell its there. Wipe extra off with a clean rag.
Brush on some RTV silicone and let it set. Then gooping on some rtv silicone that you have mixed with some water to help it set when you put it on at lease 1/4" to 3/8" thick. The odder the shape the better. Allow to set.
Get a small cup that the set silicone will fit in and have at least 1" of clearance all around. Fill cup half full with plaster of paris and hold the silicone piece in place so half the silicone is submerged and half is out of the plaster. Let the plaster set and then make some shallow holes in the plaster to act as keys to hold position. Then apply a little Vaseline to the set plaster and fill up the cup the rest of the way with more plaster. After it sets use a knife to separate the seam in the plaster.Remove the silicon piece and use a very sharp knife to cut around the silicone in half. Pull out your original part. You then need to drill a hole through the plaster and silicone that is located in an area that will be hidden in the final part and a small hole that is located on the other end of the mould to allow the air to escape. It helps if the hole is large enough to place a drinking straw in so the straw can ensure the resin you inject will not get between the silicone and plaster. Reassemble the mould and tape together with electrical tape. Place the injection hole on the bottom and the air escape hole on the top. Mix up some acrylic or polyester resin You can add color if you like,but some samples would be good to get the colors right because the resins can change the color of the pigments. Use a large syringe you can get at the pharmacy at walgreens and inject the resin into the mould until it comes out the top hole. Slow and steady. Allow to set and then demould the new part.
Air bubbles may be a problem. If they are the only way to get rid of them for sure is to use a pressure pot. It is just a pot that can be pressurized, a old pressure cooker works good for this. The pressure crushes the air bubble and makes them go away as the resin sets.

Good luck

Joe

Author:  SlantSixDan [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:56 pm ]
Post subject: 

I strongly recommend this book.

But don't count out the possibility of finding a replacement button, which will still be easier and less costly than making a new one. For that matter, don't count out the possibility of finding the car's original one. Look very carefully under the driver's side of the seat, for starters.

Author:  rlklaus [ Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:46 pm ]
Post subject: 

Good points. When I get home next week, I'll look around the car, and see if it's around somewhere.
I do remember once back in the 60s, having to recover a button from in the dash of my Lancer Wagon. Boy do I wish I still had that car, little grey 62 Lancer Wagon with an aluminum motor.

Author:  1963270j [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:00 pm ]
Post subject:  buttons

i got a nuetral button

Author:  rlklaus [ Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:14 am ]
Post subject: 

Let me know if you would sell it, or even rent it out to use as a master for a mold.
I'm on the road headed east this week, at least once the snow lets up (must be more of that global warming stuff).
Should be in Montreal, Wed or Thurs, then hope to be headed back to Portland after that.
Beginning to think this project is going to take quite some time, since I'm never home.

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