Restoration of a very early '68 Hand Brake Assembly

[mshaver51]

Friends,

I am restoring an early '68, and I'm working on restoring the hand brake assembly. The Photos from the original post were very helpful ... thanks.

As this task progresses, does anyone know how to remove the rubber/vinyl handle from the handbrake lever in order to disassemble it fully?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[Bantam]

Not the two lever version but perhaps useful with regard to finishes, this is a NOS 902.424.051.00 for '68 911T and 912 (and my '68 TR):

[mshaver51]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! the photo helps a lot.

just to be sure that the photo-lighting isn't fooling me, the black finish is semi-gloss, or would you call it satin?

[Barwaut]

Isn't semi-gloss the same as satin?

[mshaver51]

satin is flatter than semi-gloss (here in the midwest, at least). in descending order, i think it goes: high gloss; semi-gloss; satin; matte; flat.

[SIMI BOB]

That looks like gloss to me. VW used satin on all of their engines. I think Porsche used gloss.
Did an engine for my friends 356, and used satin because I thought it looked better. BTW, used etching primer on the bare metal, then satin black, then cooked it in the BBQ for about 10 minutes. I think that helps harden the paint. No word back from my friend yet.

[mshaver51]

I'm happy if it's gloss black. I'm just trying to make sure I understand. (Nice engine, by the way.)

[Jay Laifman]

I have a handbrake lever off of what I thought was a '68. It has small round knobs, not that elongated knob. I actually got it to put on my 912 to add the hand throttle. 912s do not have the hand throttle.

[Bantam]

With reference to the photos of the NOS hand brake I posted, it is difficult to accurately pin down the finish because there seem to be so many variations by the time you take into consideration all the original and restored parts we see. Having looked at it again if I had to give a description I would say it is not satin (or at least not the modern take on satin), it has an element of gloss but is not a high gloss......if it helps I would say the photos are a pretty accurate representation of it in the flesh (depending upon your PC screen!); I have added some photos below of another NOS one I have although not sure they really add anything.

On a more general point I think the one element that impacts upon trying to pin down the finish is TIME, original paint on parts just gains a patina that is unique.......good luck with your restoration.

[mshaver51]

Thanks to Bantam for the great photos, and thanks to others for the observations and discussion re: handbrakes and finishes. If anyone else has anything to add, please feel free.