Radio Buttons
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
Radio Buttons
Hi all. I looked at an 03 vert this morning that is very promising. There are some minor issues, but all are VERY minor. To be expected from a car with 50K miles. Before I make an offer, there is one issue that I'd like run by you guys here. ALL the buttons on the radio are worn down to pure white....sorry, I forgot to take a pic......music A.D.D. I guess!!!
Is there a post here that someone can direct me to? What I'm really looking to find out is if there is an easy AND inexpensive fix. Honestly, I'm not a big radio officionado, but it just looks hideous the way it way it is.
thanks again......
Is there a post here that someone can direct me to? What I'm really looking to find out is if there is an easy AND inexpensive fix. Honestly, I'm not a big radio officionado, but it just looks hideous the way it way it is.
thanks again......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
Here's a pic....
I'd prefer to keep it stock, so aftermarket isn't a real good option to me. I'm trying to get a handle on the expense involved. What would you estimate the labor cost to remove/replace the radio, and what do you think a used stock radio would cost?
I guess I could just get out the black and white sharpies and then be real carefull....
thanks again......
I'd prefer to keep it stock, so aftermarket isn't a real good option to me. I'm trying to get a handle on the expense involved. What would you estimate the labor cost to remove/replace the radio, and what do you think a used stock radio would cost?
I guess I could just get out the black and white sharpies and then be real carefull....
thanks again......
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Smithville MO
Still, I have to wonder how in the heck someone could wear the radio preset buttons down to the base plastic? Did this person drive with their fingers constantly on the buttons scanning from station to station?? Even the seek button shows extreme wear. LOL!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
Yup....music A.D.D...a Serious case!
I'm the kind of guy that puts a station on the radio when he buys the car, and the same station is on the radio when I sell the car......heck, the last car that I traded in....a 1999 that I bought new and traded in this past August.....a cassette radio.....NEVER had a cassette in the radio....The only time the station was changed was when my daughter was in the car with me, and even then, I only allowed her 'one' change....
She's the only one in the family that knows how the radio on our boat works!!!!
I'm the kind of guy that puts a station on the radio when he buys the car, and the same station is on the radio when I sell the car......heck, the last car that I traded in....a 1999 that I bought new and traded in this past August.....a cassette radio.....NEVER had a cassette in the radio....The only time the station was changed was when my daughter was in the car with me, and even then, I only allowed her 'one' change....
She's the only one in the family that knows how the radio on our boat works!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 9
From: Northwest CT
Holy chit! I have never seen that before. I can only speculate that is not the original... may be out of an older car? Or a worse thought, the car has way more than 50K on it! 
Red flag IMO.
Red flag IMO.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
No red flags here. The owner is very up-standing and trust worthy. He's the original owner with All paper work to support. Other then the radio buttons, the car has been treated well. Original Tires and brakes replaced last year with approximately 40K miles.....IMHO.....a testament to easy driving. Oil changes all done with Mobil 1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
This one's a head scratcher. Long fingernails? 40-grit fingertips? Maybe someone tried to 'clean' the buttons with some harsh chem(s)?
Just did a quick search on the auction site we're not supposed to mention. You can get a brand new unit that fits 1997-04 Vettes for $275.00 w free shipping. Salvage units should be plentiful and much cheaper.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Gurnee IL
Couple some contaminants with a OCD of flipping stations (I have encountered people that do just this) and wham white buttons...
Either way as said you can pick up radios here in the for sale forum for $75-$100 on a regular basis...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
my best guess would be that they tried to clean them with something that just melted the surface plastic right down to the core. they probably never tested whatever it was they used and just smeared it on a few of the buttons at once. i've seen radios where the digits were worn off from use, but never all the way down to the base, lol!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 985
Likes: 0
From: Palm Desert, CA , USA
Does anyone else have any buttons for the 2003+ radio to sell? I purchased some from Nascar57 but the am/fm wasn't the correct one. I have the radio with the 12 cd remote and the am/fm is the "wide" one.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
I have a am/fm button out of a radio/cassette player from my car that has the 12 cd player. I didnt realize I sent ;you the wrong button. I can send it to ;you. Just pm me your address. 
