Steering Column dress up

So I have finally got the B&M shifter installed in the car but once I remove the original shift lever from the steering column ( and grind off the nub ) including removing the PRNDL and indicator, how can I neatly cover the holes left in the column? Is there something that I can wrap around the column that will look good? What have you guys done?

 

i used bondo on mine

 

I used bondo too. Painted the column satin black and it looks great.

Sam

 

I used glass, and bondo, and it looks fine!

 

Ok, now for the next stupid question. I've never used bondo before. Where do I get it and how did you guys apply it? Did you have to disassemble the column or did you fill the holes in place? Would something like liquid metal or JB Weld work?

 

Bondo...any auto parts store, probably at Home Depot, Lowe's, and home improvement stores. JB weld might work, but harder to sand down to shape when completed (unless you use the soapy water on the finger method to shape it...)

Bondo is an epoxy, I guess...you mix a small amoung of red stuff (hardener) from a tube that comes with it, mix it all up until it is one color, then apply it with spatulas or similar. It hardens up in a half hour to an hour, depending on how much hardener you added, and how hot it is outside. Then, it has a plastic consistency that you just sand down to the correct shape and paint over.

 

I used a piece of fiberglass in the inside of the collar, and then put bondo to smoothe the collar with. Worked out fine. Just vacuum the dust out of the collar and clean it up. Shouldn't get any in there, if you tape it up. Good luck.

 

gene, bondo is usually available at wal mart also.

 

Aren't there some rods inside the column that actuate the ignition switch that may need to be taken into consideration? Just asking.

 

You should also secure the shift collar.
If you don't, it could slip and keep you from getting the key from the ignition... along with other little things that depend on your shifter collar being in a given position.
Dave

 

Ok, I have the bondo in hand, some 220 grit sandpaper, and some black satin spray paint. In the hole where the stock shifter was, do I need to be concerned about any moving parts down inside the collar? I guess what I'm asking is, should I be concerned about how much bondo I place into the hole and how deep into the hole the bondo goes?

 

Gene; put a couple pieces of strong duct tape or masking tape over the hole from the inside, and it will keep all that stuff out. Just let it have enough room to fill the hole. I used to fiberglass to make it rigid, but the tape will work as well. Good luck!