Custom inlay for a shift knob?

May 15, 2008 8:24 AM

Suggestions on something to put in the pattern/logo/inlay area on my car's aftermarket shift knob?

I found an aftermarket shift knob that matchd my car's color and interior very well, so I bought it and installed it.

However, the "inlay" in the knob (circular area that usually has the shift pattern) was cracked and had a logo that I didn't care for, so I removed it.

Any suggestions on what I could put in the circular area on the top of the shift knob instead? Car is a 1st generation Scion xB, by the way.

I haven't had any luck locating someone that can make a custom shift knob inlay to order.

Images of the knob:

Image 1
Image 2

posted by de void to travel & transportation (17 comments total)

Are you looking for something that goes with the car or something that would just be cool?

You could do a sports team or super hero logo. Green Lantern for a green car perhaps?

If you can get it to fit, you could put some sort of inspirational text. But that might be such a good idea if you think you'll find yourself reading it.

There's always the Scion logo for a bit more continuity.

You could just go all weird and do something like this or an otherwise custom image. That's what I would probably go with (the custom thing not necessarily that exact one but I made it so if you want to use it feel free).
posted by theichibun at 8:34 AM on May 15

Function over form.
posted by SirStan at 8:34 AM on May 15

Theatrical megacorp logo sticker: Weyland-Yutani, Blue Sun, Cyberdyne Systems, Tyrrell Corporation, etc.
posted by mkb at 8:35 AM on May 15

Goes with the car or unique/cool. I'm open.

Putting the Scion logo in would work, but I'd like to do something more unique.

Even if I want to just put the Scion logo in, how do I get one made up with a clear covering?
posted by de void at 8:36 AM on May 15

Oh yeah, one idea I had was to get one of those "eyeball-floating-in-liquid-inside-a-sphere" toys and epoxy that in place.
posted by de void at 8:37 AM on May 15

A big red button of course!
posted by iamkimiam at 8:43 AM on May 15

If you go with mkb's idea.. I am partial to the Umbrella Corporation logo.
posted by SirStan at 8:44 AM on May 15

I dig the ideas for some of the ficitional logos, but need more pragmatic advice here...how do I get the logo printed in the size I need, and be durable for the years of hard shifting ahead?
posted by de void at 8:47 AM on May 15

A working compass? If you buy one slightly bigger you could just widen the area till it fits and epoxy it down.
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:49 AM on May 15

With the shape of the knob and the color, it's just begging for a white, dome shaped cap to make it look exactly like the head of a giant kitchen match.
posted by jamjam at 9:00 AM on May 15

I'll admit that I'm no expert on the subject. That being said, I don't see why you couldn't just get it printed and get a clear piece of plastic and glue it in. Good glue of course, and around the sides so that you see what you want instead of glue. Although if it's done right, just seeing the glue could be cool too.
posted by theichibun at 9:07 AM on May 15

If you go to any Michaels or craft/scrapbooking store, these have the most amazing selections of stickers lately. Fish. Insects. Flowers, naturally, but so many flowers. Probably cars. These are lovely images on high quality backing, some on clear plastic. You might find something you'd like. Bring the measurements and a small ruler (although they'd probably have a ruler there, for sale at least), or a rubbing of the area.
posted by amtho at 9:31 AM on May 15

An agate cabochon
posted by hortense at 9:50 AM on May 15

I don't know how to do it, but that might make a nifty spot for a secret compartment.
posted by Shohn at 9:50 AM on May 15

When the top to my shifter fell off, I rummaged around in the garage for a bit and found a lovely chunk of brass about the right size. I trimmed it to fit, engraved the Hack-a-Day logo into it, and polished it up. It looks friggin' sweet.
posted by The GoBotSodomizer at 10:42 AM on May 15

Got any pictures of that, GobotSodomizer?
posted by de void at 12:26 PM on May 15

Not that I can get to from work. I'll see if I can kidnap the girlfriend's camera when I get home and snap a couple of shots for you.
To get the image to stand out, I did an outline onto the top of the cover with a sharpie and then (slowly!) dremeled the ever loving bejeezus out of it. Once I had it a good depth, I filled in the channels with some cold weld. It dries to a nice dark charcoal color, and stands up to a good knob polishing.


...I can't believe I'm sharing my knob-polishing technique with a room full of strangers.
posted by The GoBotSodomizer at 1:34 PM on May 15