Refinishing gearshift lever-pitted, how to?

[Zedone]

OK, my first neophyte question for you all.

(by the way membership check's in the mail so I dont have reg number yet).

I am assuming the shift lever is stainless steel, polished, not chromed.
So would I use 400-600 wet dry paper or ultrafine steel wool to remove some dullness and smooth out some pitting? Just metal creme polish wont touch the pitting , Ive got to get down a layer to smooth that out.
Thanks.
Zed.

[Scott Clarke]

Zed-
I'm fairly sure that the shift lever is chrome plated steel. You could have it replated fairly easily. Just find a plater that has a good reputation. Alternatively, you could find a used lever in better condition. They are common, as many replace them with a short shift kit.
-Scott

[Zedone]

Thanks Scott. I contemplated installing a Rennshift shifter on my 914/6 so maybe this 901 should get the same treatment rather than a redo.
-Zed

[Scott Clarke]

Zed-
That's on my list also. I installed a short shift kit, and found that to be an improvement, but it sounds like the Rennshift solves one of the biggest complaints about 911 driveability.
-Scott

[NeunElf]

At least in my '65, the shift lever is definitely chrome-plated steel. I had mine rechromed.

By the way, reassembling the shifter can be quite a chore. I think Wayne Dempsey describes one method in "101 Projects for your 911." The shop manual describes how to make a tool (notch a big, cheap screwdriver) that makes the job extremely difficult (as oppsed to extremely impossible).

[kenikh]

Save a headache, buy the Rennshift and save the 901 shifter for concours events.

[bobmagyar]

I machined up a spring compressor for the reassembling the lever after I competely restored mine. As mentioned not an easy task.

I have another nice lever if you choose to go the original route.