What Did You Do To Your HHR Today?
12-01-2019, 01:21 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-17-2016
Location: Silverhill, AL
Posts: 555
They were originally silver, and I bought them from someone on a FB group over a year ago.
There are still folks out there who come upon them at salvage yards and peel them off and sell them.
I understand they were only available on '06 and '07 models, so there are not many left.
My intent was to paint them black and put them on my Victory Red SS AA5.
However, I painted them with some kind of Krylon "for plastic" stuff and it really didn't stick so I just set them aside.
Then recently, when I got the Switchblade Silver SS Panel, I thought about them again. Did a little research and found the best paint is some Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover.
It is a primer and paint and says in big letters: "Bonds to plastic."
Sanded them down a little and three or four coats later they looked great.
Word of advice though: When you go to attach them (3M auto tape) be sure to leave gaps in the lower two corners for drainage.
They didn't apply them that way at the factory and people had rusting behind them, so GM discontinued them in favor of those godawful clear shield things.
There are still folks out there who come upon them at salvage yards and peel them off and sell them.
I understand they were only available on '06 and '07 models, so there are not many left.
My intent was to paint them black and put them on my Victory Red SS AA5.
However, I painted them with some kind of Krylon "for plastic" stuff and it really didn't stick so I just set them aside.
Then recently, when I got the Switchblade Silver SS Panel, I thought about them again. Did a little research and found the best paint is some Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover.
It is a primer and paint and says in big letters: "Bonds to plastic."
Sanded them down a little and three or four coats later they looked great.
Word of advice though: When you go to attach them (3M auto tape) be sure to leave gaps in the lower two corners for drainage.
They didn't apply them that way at the factory and people had rusting behind them, so GM discontinued them in favor of those godawful clear shield things.
12-01-2019, 06:55 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-04-2012
Location: Dedham Maine
Posts: 1,545
Washed all the crud off the Old Girl today. Forgot I had a Dark Blur HHR lol Even after all the years I have had mt HHR I still love driving it :) And with my new Snow with NO studs a lot quieter lol You all have a great day
12-01-2019, 08:44 PM
Platinum Member
Join Date: 01-09-2007
Location: SE USA
Posts: 15,882
I've gotten a good bit done on my vacation at home. And didn't spend a lot doing it.
The shift boot was a prelude to changing out the shift knob too.
I have read about people getting their shifter's shaft threaded for different knobs,but I didn't want to go through all that.
I found a cool little adapter that uses set screws to tighten around the shaft and allowed me to use an aftermarket knob I found that I really liked.
In the pictures, the boot is not pulled up all the way because I wanted to show the adapter properly.
Link to shift knob adapter (available in silver, black or red) $12 shipped
Link to aftermarket shift knobs (various colors/designs) less than $12 shipped
I also got my rock guards painted and installed. I really like the little bit of accent/contrast they add. (I think I paid $20 for the guards and $4 for the right paint for plastic)
The shift boot was a prelude to changing out the shift knob too.
I have read about people getting their shifter's shaft threaded for different knobs,but I didn't want to go through all that.
I found a cool little adapter that uses set screws to tighten around the shaft and allowed me to use an aftermarket knob I found that I really liked.
In the pictures, the boot is not pulled up all the way because I wanted to show the adapter properly.
Link to shift knob adapter (available in silver, black or red) $12 shipped
Link to aftermarket shift knobs (various colors/designs) less than $12 shipped
I also got my rock guards painted and installed. I really like the little bit of accent/contrast they add. (I think I paid $20 for the guards and $4 for the right paint for plastic)
Also agree about the contrast on yer rock guards. All looks killer.
Thanks for the tip on using 3M & leaving a drainage opening for water..
12-01-2019, 10:44 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-17-2016
Location: Silverhill, AL
Posts: 555
I almost went with an 8-ball, but my dear wife talked me out of it.
Said the silver/gray looks cosmic, like a planet or a moon.
Said the silver/gray looks cosmic, like a planet or a moon.
Blue- You got me I only lost 23lbs so far. But it's a process.
Casa Del Gatos- Digging the shift knob, I used to use pool table balls (in particular the cue ball) Would drill it to fit the stick in both my S-10's & add some JB Weld.
Also agree about the contrast on yer rock guards. All looks killer.
Thanks for the tip on using 3M & leaving a drainage opening for water..
Casa Del Gatos- Digging the shift knob, I used to use pool table balls (in particular the cue ball) Would drill it to fit the stick in both my S-10's & add some JB Weld.
Also agree about the contrast on yer rock guards. All looks killer.
Thanks for the tip on using 3M & leaving a drainage opening for water..
12-02-2019, 03:08 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-03-2010
Location: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Posts: 3,564