I finally have a custom design I'd like to have Doug Whalen apply to one of the famous Shift Machine *****, but still trying to decide on whether to go with the brushed or polished finish. I have the chrome interior trim so leaning toward the polished **** for a match, but I like the brushed finish also. In either case I plan to 'fill' the engraving with a colored enamel paint to make the pattern stand out.

My main concern about the brushed finish is whether it shows scratches (from rings etc.) more than the polished version. I figure there have to be just a few opinions here on the subject so let's hear 'em. Thanks!

 

You'd actually see more scratches from a polished **** than a brushed ****. As for which one I think the brushed would add a nice contrast to a chromed interior.

 

The polished is more shiny. Very shiny and sparkly looking. Hope that helps.

 

I have the polished one, but no chrome trim. I think the brushed one would have been better for my interior. I think the polished would be best for yours.
The polished one seems to show "oily" hand/finger prints a lot.
I'm still trying to figure out a way to heat this monster in the winter. It takes forever to warm up and is really cold to hold onto. I know they make some little dumb fleece cover for it, but that looks really hoaky. I'm thinking that if they can heat motorcycle grips, then it can't be too hard to transfer this concept...

 

I have the standard silver interior trim on my MCS, and I have a "bead-blasted" Whalen ****. To me, this finish looks more "factory" than either polished or brushed. Ask Doug to send you a picture...

 

The heavy Whalen **** can occasionally be get very cold or very hot, and because of its mass it takes a long time to become comfortable to the touch. I happened upon a solution. I purchased an i-pod cover which is made of material like a sock, but in a simple rectangle shape. Here is the web site: http://www.littlemissmatched.com/sto...01?Args=&size=

 

Why not do both?

 

Ditto, I dunno where there's a pic of one at the moment but I have seen pics of at least 1 WSM that was mostly brushed but there was a circle on top surrounding the engraving that was polished. Looked very spiffy! I have a brushed MOTD one from a year ago and it doesn't have any scratches on it

 

Mandaboo, I finally got my pics to come up.

 

Very Nice! I hadn't considered that option yet.

 

Ditto. I ordered a bead-blasted Whalen when I had my first Cooper w/ silver dash. I thought they looked quite good together.

Re: scratches - my bead-blasted finish does show scratches so I assume the brushed would as well. I just moved my ring over to the other hand.

 

Since the shifter is something that you will be in near-constant contact with, why not choose the finish based on which you'd rather be holding in your hand, over which simply looks better.

 

Remember that the Whalen lengthens the throw...

 

Brushed can also be combined with bead-blasted.

 

Made my decision to go with the brushed and polished finish. The artwork is a little unique so working with Doug to see if we can make it happen. I'll post the final results when I get it. Thanks to everyone for the input!