[Elecraft] Tuning knob finish

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I have the same... er...."problem" although it's taken a lot of tuning.
I use the Main Tuning knob constantly while operating. 

S/N 1289 (approaching 3 years of age) now has a shiny spot on the knob
face and I have no doubt that more will appear over time. The spot is  a
place where the paint that wasn't all that well bonded to the metal got
so thin that a small area came loose and left a jagged hole about 2 by 5
mm (abt 1/8 x 1/4 in).

When tuning I put one finger against the face of the knob and "twirl" -
especially when moving several kHz.

I haven't attempted any "corrective" action yet, but the few thoughts
that have run through my head are about something to put OVER the
painted disc. Maybe a disc of black plastic thicker than my fingers are
likely to ever wear through. Some hard rubber or other material might be
interesting. Thick enough, it could easily provide a "dimple" for one's
finger, but I haven't missed having one enough to try gluing on an "o"
ring as many have suggested. 

But it's also become a part of the personality of ol SN 1289. The shiny
spot is something of a testament to the hours I've enjoyed fiddling and
testing mods or just plain operating and chewing the rag. 

Keep the ideas coming. One of these days I'll get serious about "fixing
it". By that time maybe someone else will already have come up with the
answer <G>

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289

> Also, I managed to wear a hole through the black finish of the tuning 
> knob with my tuning finger, revealing ugly bright aluminum. ...

This is the only gripe I have had with my K2. The knob developed 
shiny metal holes in the matter of a few weeks. I have 'repainted' 
the knob with black car touch up paint and although it looks far from 
pretty ('crackle finish') it has done the job and has not worn off 
again.
73s Dave G3YMC