Below is a representation of a knob set depicting the characteristic inconsistencies in the molding process of these knob sets as Fender® is having them manufactured. Often we find small flaws in the surface, usually around the skirt and most often adjacent to the letters or numbers as depicted below. These flaws are very small indentations or very small curly grooves in which the replacement color has a tendency to settle into and is very difficult if not impossible to be removed. So it is possible you may notice these small color blemishes next to some of the letters or numbers and it is simply a characteristic of the knobs and is not something we can work around, but we do our best to minimize the effect.  Even as the knobs originally come from Fender® with the gold lettering and numbering these imperfections are filled with the gold color as well, but since the gold color is not dark like the replacement color so there is very little contrast between the knob color and the gold, so it essentially goes unnoticed.  If you happen to notice some of these characteristics in your particular knob set, take a close look at these areas with a magnifying glass and you’ll see exactly why the replacement color can’t be removed from these small recessed areas.  Even in the Fender® Custom Shop RELIC Gilmour Black Strat® these characteristics are present. These characteristics apply to all of Fender's various style of knobs.