1Sweet66

OK, Getting started on cleaning up the dash and gauges of my '66. I'm planning on buying new lenses for the gauges which all seem to work fine and are pretty accurate. I tried cleaning the clock lens the other night and it's not as clear as I'd like. That's why I'm going the new route.
What should I clean the actual gauge face with? Windex? 409? Should I Armour All the face? The numbers and pointers and in good shape. It's just that looking from the outside in there is a lot of dust inside the lens. I'll also change the bulbs and lube the spedo and tach cables. Any advise???
Has anyone sent out their cluster? How much did that cost? Would that be a better route?

66since71

Don't use Armour All on acrylic (the lenses)! It can cause "corrosion stress cracking" in ABS and acrylic (I know, what does corrosion have to do with plastics..but that is the term that our chemists used.). The cracks can appear anywhere there is any clamping or twisiting of the plastic. My experience with this is first hand, based on a significant field action while I was working for an automotive OEM.

I am sure many forum members have had good experience with Armour All, but I would not take the chance..

Soaps or cleaners that might leave some oils behind should also be suspect.

Harry

toddalin

We've had good luck using The Wax Shop Products "Safe Cut" for polishing out plastics and lenses and I was even able to clear up the radio lens, which is very thin, in my '64.

DZRick

I think he already decided on new lens, what he wants to learn as do I now is what should he use to clean the gauge faces.

66since71

Youre right, I gotta read a little more carefully next time!

macdarren

I disassembled mine myself, cleaned and replaced lenses (BTW they are glass so you can get pretty serious when cleaning them I probably needlessly replaced mine since I got the new ones thinking they were plastic then found they are glass) Anyway most of the faces can be cleaned just with light non ammonia cleaner....I used some stuff used on LCD screens it is very mild. Most of the faces can be replaced as well, which I did since some of mine were actually rusted. Needles can be replaced or repainted.

John 65

Contact Jason Oliver, a forum member who does fantastic work on vette gauges, plus a hell of a nice guy. I am sure someone will chime in with his email.

John 65

Here it is. vetteinstruments@aol.com

DZRick

No problem, I do the same thing sometimes. I just wanted the question answered

JOliver

No secrets with me ....Use PlastiX (get at any local parts store) for the Clock lens (its plastic) .
Only 63s are plastic on the clusters so if you have glass...use what ever you want to clean them.
On the gauge faces ....use a good auto wax ...I stay away from the redline on the tach as it will help take color out but won't harm the lettering/band around the face.I personally like the Meguiars products but have used everything and they all will work.
The gauge faces are painted black with a silkscreen on top ...they fade just like the body will if it never got waxed.

Need any help at all email me
Jason
VetteInstruments@aol.com