How Do I Make A Custom Shift Knob?



Are you used to your original car decorations? Want a one-of-a-kind shift lever that you’ve made yourself? This article will briefly introduce the production process of plastic resin gear shift lever from real professional shift knob manufacturers.


It can be difficult to find the right size and style of shift handle for a particular vehicle. Because there are many brands and models of cars. The same brand and different models and years. So it was a good idea to make your own shift lever.

So the good news is that you don’t have to go to a special store or spend thousands of dollars on one. You can easily make one for yourself using items from around the house. Today we’re going to show you how to make a unique knob that for the cost of a few materials, you can get a personalized shift lever. So if you want to make a beautiful shift knob, check out our easy step-by-step tutorial.


1. What is a Shift Knob?

Source: sportshifters.com

One of the most common questions I hear is: What is a shift knob? The answer is that a shift knob is the device you use to turn the gears.

Shift knobs can be defined as a set of devices that enable one to change the transmission ratio of a car’s gearbox to shift gears manually without having to operate both the accelerator and the clutch pedal.

The gears in a car are like the gears in a washing machine. The knob turns the gears. So the shift knob is a simple knob that attaches to the gear. Shift knobs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but all are attached to gears.

2. Find a style you want to make

Source: instructables.com

So, what kind of style do you want? First you have to choose a style you like.

Let’s start with a cool shift knobs with skull style.

Secondly, prepare the materials. We need a skeleton model, plastic cups, paint, resin.

3. The production process

First choose several plastic cups, add different concentrations of resin agent, mix evenly. Take care to scrape down the sides and bottom of the glass to mix them more evenly, otherwise they will not set well.

Then, with your choice of paint, sprinkle the paint powder into the cup with the resin and stir well with a stirring stick. Let it sit for a while.

In addition, if you want your work to be more unique, you can work on the skull. Smooth down the sides of the skull mold, spray the outside with black or white paint, and then add a bright coat as you like. It can be purple-green, chartreuse, yellow-orange, whatever color you like.

The top layer is then baked and solidified with UV light. Put skulls or other decorations on top. Pour another layer of resin. Then put them in a pressure cooker to solidify.

Wait some time, then take them out. Ready for grinding on the lathe.

Before that, optionally drill another threaded hole at the bottom. According to the size of your car, choose the appropriate thread size, before drilling. After drilling, I can select the thread lock to secure the shift lever.

Next, the flip sanding and polishing need to be done in the same place. Attach them to the lathe.

Let’s start polishing, take the plastic cups on the outside, and polish them off. Then start polishing the shape of the resin knob.

Continue grinding with the lathe, then apply polish to polish.

4. Install shift lever knob

Source: typesauto.com

Once it’s done, it’s ready to install. Replace the old gear shift knob with a new one and screw it tight. It’s ready to use.

The above is a skull for example, some of the production process. There are many other accessories you can use to make gear shift knobs. Such as dandelion grass, flowers, such as made from waste materials, reuse. You can also use ice cubes and other unexpected materials. Anything you can think of, or find.

In short, the shift knob is an easy piece to make. Sometimes all you need is a piece of metal, a cutting tool, and some wood glue. First, find a piece of metal of the right size and shape. Next, use a cutting tool, such as a hacksaw, to cut the metal into shape. Use wood glue to attach the metal to the desired shape. Once the metal is fixed in the desired shape, use a file and sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges or rough spots. Finally, paint the knob any color you like. And we’re done. Is it easy? If you want to give it a try, do it now.