1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Whalen arrived today........

Looks like one of those eggs that falls from the sky out in Colorado.

 

'Tis a lovely piece indeed.

 

look's really good!

 

Nice.......

My pretty........

So can we see more Whalen's in more MINI's?

 

Very nice

 

They are very nice, when I drive my wifes 2010 with the OEM shift nob it is not quite the same or anywhere near as 'crisp'

PS_Mines the same except for "MINI" where the shift pattern is

Doug Whalen does very nice work indeed!

 

I love mine, but be sure not to lick the shift knob when it is below zero outside..

 

Yes he does I wanted his E-brake handle, so he said for me to send back my shift knob so he could re-buff it and match it up with the new E-brake handle all for N/C :cornut: They look great

 

Whalen Knobs

:eek6: I don't know for sure but,I don't think that it would be wise to let 'this crowd' know that you like to lick peoples knobs. I mean you know, I'm just saying............things can be taken different ways with different people or people who are different.:devil:Like...you know...alternate life style people might see more here than meets the eye. My wife loved the picture but......she's female and straight :ihih:.......Just saying.........
Jason

 

You might consider painting the engraving. I feel it gives a more complete, finished look. I applied paint to the grooves with an automotive touchup pen, then lightly wiped off the excess paint with a rag and solvent. If you aren't happy with the painted look, it's completely reversible by removing the paint with a solvent such as acetone.



The paint doesn't wear off because it's recessed in the grooves. Mine is still the original paint and still looks great after 4 1/2 years of daily driving. These are old pics from when I first received my Whalen.

 

Only licking my own knob, never anyone elses without consent

RKW: I really like the painted numbers and shift pattern on yours (as well as the design).. I may try that out, although I am a little intimidated about messing it up.

 

Thanks. There is almost no risk in messing up. If you don't do a good job, you can completely remove the paint with solvent. The knob is a solid ball of stainless steel and won't be harmed.

This paint technique works best in the places where the engraving is a simple line. Then the paint can sit deep and protected in the groove. I haven't seen anyone do it in wider engraved areas like in your design, but it would be interesting to see.

 

I say GO FOR IT, Ernesto! I'd like to see it, too!
(The PAINTING, I mean.)

 

Whalen Knobs

Thanks for being a 'GOOD SPORT' Ernesto.You're Gentleman and a Scholar and there are damned few of us left. Happy Mini Motoring and I do like the SHIFT knobs.
:lol:Jason:lol:

 

Oh now you've done it. You will never be able to go back to that prastic fantastic oem knob again.:lol: Enjoy your impoved shift feel!

 

One trick to painting recessed engraving like that is to dilute the paint a bit so it flows around much easier.

Still love my solid chrome one.......

 

ooh... you can do different colors to match your car! numers and letters in black and the rest with you Mini's color (or close to it).

 

Ok,

I gave it a shot.. Didn't do as good a job as RKW's but I think I like how it turned out.

I will live with it like this for a while first, but I think I will also do the Chicago MINI Motoring Club lettering.

 

Man that looks very nice!!!! The checkerboard pattern now has a reddish tinge to it. What/how did you do that,or is it just the lighting? :thumbsupJason

 

Nope, just bad lighting and photography. I was thinking of coloring the center, but I think it will look too busy.