Renovation of the Kenworth W900 steering wheel button panel
Last updated: 15.09.2026
Key challenges and technologies used
Recreating the two-colour Kenworth logo (white and red)
- We used precise laser engraving techniques to reproduce even the smallest details. A special two-layer colour application system was used, which, combined with the appropriate laser engraving, produced a durable and aesthetic effect.
- It was also important to calibrate the laser correctly to avoid melting the rubber surface.
Selection of paints for rubber surfaces
- The original panel was made of flexible rubber, which is difficult to process. Many commercially available paints tended to crack after drying or when the component was in operation.
- Thanks to cooperation with an expert in paint and elastomer coatings, it was possible to select a specialised paint that combines flexibility with high resistance to abrasion and UV rays.
Recreating icons and pictograms
- The entire set of pictograms was graphically reconstructed from scratch, based on the badly damaged original. The process involved vectorisation, followed by testing the scaling and fitting of shapes to the existing button fields.
- The vector files were implemented in laser engraving software, and the final print was tested several times on rubber samples before the final print was made.
Final result:
The attached photos show a huge difference – from a worn-out, illegible element, we managed to create an almost brand-new component, while maintaining full compatibility with the original. The panel regained its original appearance and was additionally protected against further degradation.
It is worth noting that no other company has decided to undertake such a difficult and multi-stage project. It is thanks to our experience, access to specialised tools and interdisciplinary cooperation between experts that it was possible to achieve this result.
Project team and interdisciplinary approach
This complex task required the cooperation of several experts:
- A classic car mechanic, who dismantled and assessed the technical condition of the panel,
- A graphic designer specialising in vectorisation, responsible for recreating logos and icons,
- An industrial paint specialist who selected the appropriate coating technology,
- A painter who applied a protective layer,
- A laser engraving expert who made the final markings on the panel.
Each stage was preceded by tests – both in terms of durability and detail reproduction. In this way, we achieved a result that not only restores the original appearance, but also significantly extends the life of the entire component.
If you own a classic vehicle and want its interior to regain its former glory, we are the only place to go.
Are you looking for a similar service?
Many customers find us by typing:
Kenworth button restoration
Restoring the interior of an old-timer truck
Laser engraving on rubber
Paint for rubber buttons
Recreating unavailable interior parts
How to restore buttons in an old truck?
Where to regenerate rubber buttons in a Kenworth W900?
Renovation of the interior of a Kenworth W900 – who does it?
Is it possible to recreate pictograms on a worn control panel?
How to renovate damaged rubber buttons?
Renovation of discontinued parts for old-timers – who does it?
Is it possible to recreate a logo on a rubber element?
Where to restore the steering wheel and buttons in a classic truck?
Which company does laser engraving on rubber?
Renovation of plastics and rubber in vintage vehicles – who to hire?
Regeneration of Kenworth truck interior elements
Custom detailing for classic trucks
Who recreates unavailable parts for American lorries?
How to restore the original appearance of the buttons on the steering wheel?
Paint for rubber interior parts – what works?
Contact us – we will rebuild what others have deemed irreparable.
Yes – this project is a real example. When an original panel like the Kenworth W900’s rubber button controller is no longer manufactured, we vectorize what remains of the worn pictograms, rebuild them graphically, and laser-engrave the new design directly onto the rubber, recreating the two-colour logo and all markings with full compatibility with the original.
Standard paints tend to crack once the rubber flexes or after drying, because they weren’t designed for elastomer surfaces. We work with a specialised paint and elastomer-coating system that stays flexible while resisting abrasion and UV exposure, combined with carefully calibrated laser settings that avoid melting the rubber during engraving.
We minimise that risk with a structured process: vectorising what’s left of the original design, testing the scaling and fit against the actual button fields, and running several test prints on rubber samples before the final laser engraving – so the finished panel matches the factory original rather than an approximation.
Projects like this are priced individually, since the work spans several specialist stages – technical assessment, vector reconstruction of the graphics, paint selection, and laser engraving. Time and cost depend on how much of the original design survives and how many colours/pictograms need to be recreated. We provide an exact quote after reviewing photos of the component.
We work with rubber and plastic control panels from a range of classic and commercial vehicles, not just Kenworth – including Peterbilt, Mack, Scania, Volvo, MAN, and other American and European truck brands, as well as passenger old-timers. The reconstruction method – vectorisation, specialised elastomer paint, and calibrated laser engraving – applies regardless of brand.
