Repainting Switches

reidrhollander · January 27, 2010

Hey all, first time post.

I am starting to customize my 2009 Sierra and I was wondering if anyone had ever repainted automotive switches. I am installing 4 PIAA lights in the front and I plan on taking an overhead console from a Yukon XL and using one of the rear seat fold switches to control them. I will be using the rest for things like air horn, GPS, auxiliary back up lights, etc.

However I would like to get an apprpriate symbol on the switch face to correspond to what they operate. I am thinking that I may be able to remove the old finish with paint thinner or sand paper, apply a an appropriate vinyl decal, and repaint with some sort of matte black paint, and remove the decal so it lights up the new symbol.

Has anyone ever done anything like this? If so I would love any advice and if anyone has any other ideas about how to do this easier while retaining a factory look please chime in also. I have searched the web far and wide and haven't been able to find anything on this mod.

Thanks

cgalford · January 27, 2010

I'm interested in this too. My plan was to buy an overhead console and replace the rear seat fold and power liftgate switches with the switch for aux lights from the snow plow prep package but it would be much better to repaint the switches with individual symbols.

reidrhollander · January 27, 2010

Well I should have my lights this week and the overhead console next week. I think I will go to the scrap yard and get a few switches to practice on but I will take pictures and make a tutorial if it comes out decent. To be honest I don't expect it to come out very well but you never know.

Anyone got suggestions on what type of paint to use that can create the smooth matte finish that is on the 09's?

mfennema · January 27, 2010

I would have to guess that like a Krylon for plastics matte finish spray paint would be the best. I would like to see pictures of what you're tryin to do if you get a chance. Sounds very interesting.

cgalford · January 28, 2010

I just took apart my sunroof switches and the rockers are made from clear plastic, then painted white, masked with the symbols and painted black.

reidrhollander · January 28, 2010

I just took apart my sunroof switches and the rockers are made from clear plastic, then painted white, masked with the symbols and painted black.

Thanks for the info. I am hoping to get the scrap yard or maybe ask my dealer if they have any broken switches I could use to practice on and see how this turns out. Too me little things like this are what makes mods fun/great. I am hoping that paint thinner will remove the old paint so I can avoid having to try and sand them. Also, I am thinking of having a die cut vinyl stencil made by a pro because I am thinking the logos will be too small for me to cut out with an exacto knife. I may even use the PIAA logo to identify the switches.

reidrhollander · January 31, 2010

I pulled the console off tonight and found that the slots for switches are there and just need to be cut out with a dremel so you can just get the switches. The great news is they are pretty cheap.

I think I may have changed my mind though but am having trouble finding a part number. I found some pictures of Yukons that have the rear wiper switch in the cluster where my power pedals/traction control/parking assist switches. Here is a youtube that shows it pretty well at 3:20:

I am now thinking the cleaner install would be to get that 4 button module and utilize the rear wiper switch. Does any one have a part number so i can find it aftermarket? I am guessing that cluster is rather pricey from GM.

Edit: I posted the wrong link.

pwall · January 31, 2010

Perhaps wrong video ?? Identity 2.0 Keynote.....

700 sportsman · January 31, 2010

I would try sending a PM to Rich (MS3Dale), he should be able to help you out with all of your part number needs

khancock · January 31, 2010

I would try sending a PM to Rich (MS3Dale), he should be able to help you out with all of your part number needs

I've been looking for a way to add some aux switches as well and love this idea. If you could post involved part numbers it would be great!

Delmarva · January 31, 2010

I pulled the console off tonight and found that the slots for switches are there and just need to be cut out with a dremel so you can just get the switches. The great news is they are pretty cheap.

I think I may have changed my mind though but am having trouble finding a part number. I found some pictures of Yukons that have the rear wiper switch in the cluster where my power pedals/traction control/parking assist switches. Here is a youtube that shows it pretty well at 3:20:

I am now thinking the cleaner install would be to get that 4 button module and utilize the rear wiper switch. Does any one have a part number so i can find it aftermarket? I am guessing that cluster is rather pricey from GM.

Edit: I posted the wrong link.

That's the heated WS fluid switch in 07-08s

reidrhollander · February 6, 2010

OK, so I decided to use the 4 switch setup from a Yukon instead of the overhead console. I will save the overhead console switches for an air horn I guess. Anyway, I got my combo switch today and popped it open. After some continuity testing I found that everything on this PCB is a tactile momentary switch so I am guess the rest of the on/off functionality is in some software code. Does anyone have any good ideas of how to replace the momentary switch on the PCB that controls the heated washer fluid to a simple on/off SPST switch. If not I am just going to try and rig up a SPST switch from radio shack and use the repainted switch as a cover for it.

mfennema · February 8, 2010

I am not certain how to rig up the non-momentary switch like you are asking for, but I am wondering what the part number is for the switch that you received?

I will keep thinking on how to make it a non-momentary switch. Thanks!

reidrhollander · February 8, 2010

I am not certain how to rig up the non-momentary switch like you are asking for, but I am wondering what the part number is for the switch that you received?

I will keep thinking on how to make it a non-momentary switch. Thanks!

Here is the part number: Part number 15916343

I have it figured out how I am going to do it. Momentary switch trips a latching relay which trips the relay to the off road lights and an indicator LED. I am actually going to use a dual latching relay so one push turns on the outside two lights, next push turns on the inside two, next push turns on all four. I am also using a 3 color LED as an indicator.

I decided I am going to try and make my first ever tutorial when I get all the parts together so hopefully it will work out.