So when I purchased my XJ back in 2008 it came with a leather shift knob. Looked OK but I changed it out for a polished aluminum knob and think that looks pretty good. But since I was messing around with the wood on the steering wheel I decided I'd strip and refinish a wood knob I had that was way off on color. And while I was at it I though I'd add a Arden emblem I had laying around. So I whittled away at the knob and made a home for the Arden crest, applied some walnut stain, and here are the results (steel need to apply gloss finish).

The original leather knob


The polished aluminum


The refinished wood knob

 

Nice job!

 

Nice Don, nice custom feature!

 

Beautiful!

 

Knob all finished and ready to install. Will let dry for 24 hrs then a little polish and she's all ready for her new home.

 

Very nice Don! Looks OEM. How many coats of clear finish did you make and what did you use that will not change color over time?

 

I used Auto Motive TouchUp's clear coat, being an "automotive" finish it should resist fading pretty well and had performed well for interior finishes. I had initially started to use McCloskey Man O' War Spar Varnish but didn't like the result I was getting. Don B (moderator) had suggested the AutoMotive product and he couldn't have been more right, it looks awesome. So I sanded away th McCloskey finish and the result, I think, speaks for itself. I applied eight coats and wet sanded after the first four using 2000 grit and water with some dish soap then applied 4 more coats.

 

Beautiful Don

 

In it's new home.

 

just beautiful...

 

Great job and great look. I did the same thing years ago with a 2000 XJ I had. I think I sprayed 6 coats of automotive clear. Yours looks like it was done at the factory. Bet you look at the shifter every time you come to a stop light.