Replacement "thumb screws" & switches

[Luke Wilson]

This may be a semi-ridiculous question, but here goes:

While refurbishing, repainting, and repurposing a bit, for the most part my plan is to keep the driver's area in my MC9 fairly close to the standard. Honestly, I like the way all of those old-school switches look! 

That said, if it was shiny when it came out of the factory, I would like very much for it to be shiny once again... which means that most of the switches need to be either polished or replaced.

So, has anyone polished their switches or replaced them with OEM ones? I'm eager to know about your process and/or your supplier!

The other thing that really needs polished/replaced are all the screws that hold the panels on (I don't know exactly what to call them - I would say "thumb screws" but they require a flat screwdriver). So whatever you call those, can I find replacements somewhere easily?

Thanks!

Luke

[scanzel]

Hardware store, Lowes, Home Depot.

[qayqayt]

There must be a company in your area that specializes in fasteners.  We have a couple in our area and they sell retail.  You just need to bring in a sample and if they don't have it they can probably get it.  The only trouble with this kind of source is that if you only need 12 screws you still have to buy 100.  Depends how badly you want them,

Speaking of switches, I have standard toggle switches with a plastic extension.  I'm having trouble finding the extensions.

Bryan
Vancouver BC

[sparkplug188]

I am not sure what material your switches and screws are made of.

If the material is stainless steel or chrome plated steel, try water and aluminum foil.  If you have never tried it, you will be surprised at how easy it is and how well it works.

Example video

If the material is aluminum, any metal polish and a little elbow grease will work.  I have had good results from Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish.

If the material is zink plated steel with minor surface rust, remove the fastener and polish it with a scotch brite pad and a diluted weak acid, like phosphoric acid.  Gloves and eye protection are a must.  Zink plated steel with pitting rust will need to be replaced.

If the material is any metal that is protected by clear coat and the clear coat is hazy:  Almost any automotive detail polish will work.  I have had good luck with Meguiar's ScratchX.  It is fairly aggressive and works quickly. Use just enough to get the job done as it is possible to buff though the clear coat.  If the clear coat is already wearing thin, a product like Sheila Shine leaves an thin oil-like coating that will make the oxidized clear coat look smooth and shiny for a few months.

Best of luck.

[bevans6]

The "thumb screws" with a slot are Dzuz quarter turn fasteners.  They are a size that is no longer made as of the last time I looked, although the web site shows them none are available, so don't lose them.  I had a race car that had that size, I lost one, and it took months to find a replacement.  I found it in the bottom of a buddy's junk pail.

http://www.southco.com/en-us/d4

Brian

[lvmci]

Hi Luke, most toggle switches on early mci's are stainless steel,  still available, not the shiniest more like a matte look, we have a store out west called McFadden/Dale hardware, most things you need in SS, lvmci...

[B_K]

The "thumb screws" with a slot are Dzuz quarter turn fasteners.  They are a size that is no longer made as of the last time I looked, although the web site shows them none are available, so don't lose them.  I had a race car that had that size, I lost one, and it took months to find a replacement.  I found it in the bottom of a buddy's junk pail.

http://www.southco.com/en-us/d4

Brian

Brian next time yer looking for Dzuz fasteners try EBAY I have seen sellers that have multiples of multiple sizes!
  BK 

[bevans6]

BK, the MCI uses a lot of the Dzus dome head slot fasteners with a head diameter of .685".  The largest size now manufactured is their size 6, which has a dome head diameter of .625".  Small difference to be sure, but not an identical part. 

Brian

[Iceni John]

Did Cole-Hersee make the original switches?   (They supplied some of the switches in my bus.)   If so, maybe they still have something suitable:  http://www.colehersee.com/home/toggle_switches/cat/33/

John

[Luke Wilson]

Thanks for all the responses, guys, really appreciate the input!

bevans6: BK, the MCI uses a lot of the Dzus dome head slot fasteners with a head diameter of .685".  The largest size now manufactured is their size 6, which has a dome head diameter of .625".  Small difference to be sure, but not an identical part. 

Have you tried using a size 6 at all, Brian? I wonder how much of a difference that 0.06 inches would really make in the look/fit of the screws?

Iceni John: Did Cole-Hersee make the original switches?   (They supplied some of the switches in my bus.)   If so, maybe they still have something suitable:  http://www.colehersee.com/home/toggle_switches/cat/33/

Thanks for the linkage, John. I don't know if they made the originals, but those switches sure look the same!

Luke