Guage console paint
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,664
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From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Guage console paint
Since i have the center gauge cluster out for a radio redo, i will replace all the bulbs, see if i can get the clock going again or just replace it with something that works.
What are you guys using for the console paint by the gauges? Might as well redo the shifter console while its out also.
What are you guys using for the console paint by the gauges? Might as well redo the shifter console while its out also.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi m75,
Lot's of threads about the paint and various methods to use.
People seem to like Krylon #1613, SEMS semi-flat black, and John Deere Blitz black.
Takes a bit of effort, but well worth it!
Regards,
Alan
Lot's of threads about the paint and various methods to use.
People seem to like Krylon #1613, SEMS semi-flat black, and John Deere Blitz black.
Takes a bit of effort, but well worth it!
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
Hey 75, looks like we're doing the same thing to the same year.
I used SEM Flat Black Trim... Supposed to be for exterior trim, but it turned out great, I think.
Far better than the old one in the scratched up bezel.
What radio are your planning? Retrosound was my choice.
Let me know if you can get that clock going again. I've got the same problem.
I used SEM Flat Black Trim... Supposed to be for exterior trim, but it turned out great, I think.
Far better than the old one in the scratched up bezel.
What radio are your planning? Retrosound was my choice.
Let me know if you can get that clock going again. I've got the same problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Check all the gauges, lights, radio out before you make final installation. If you have a bad bulb/socket or electrical problem, you want to know it before you get it all reassembled.
Satin black or semi-flat black paint. DO NOT use flat black or semi-gloss black for the interior trim.
Satin black or semi-flat black paint. DO NOT use flat black or semi-gloss black for the interior trim.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,664
Likes: 695
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Thanks for the paint input, have some SEM 39143 trim paint, will have to check it out before i paint.
My gauge cluster bezel was close to stock so i traded with a friend who wanted stock and i took his modded one and opened it up some more.
I had an old audiovox cassette radio which was acting up. The new one is a XD1222 with cd player, kind of a low end radio but will go with it.
Stroh, if you are like me i didn't take the clock repair class in school. Maybe somebody on here will school us? I did take a lot of pictures with the wires still hooked up for the reinstall, and plan a test before reinstalling the cluster.
My gauge cluster bezel was close to stock so i traded with a friend who wanted stock and i took his modded one and opened it up some more.
I had an old audiovox cassette radio which was acting up. The new one is a XD1222 with cd player, kind of a low end radio but will go with it.
Stroh, if you are like me i didn't take the clock repair class in school. Maybe somebody on here will school us? I did take a lot of pictures with the wires still hooked up for the reinstall, and plan a test before reinstalling the cluster.
Last edited by Mod75; Jan 30, 2012 at 08:42 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
You're braver than I, 75. I left the whole back of the cluster wired and dangling in a big ziplock... I'll detach the clock, and mess with it when I get close to reinstall. I'm actually thinking of dropping a small digital clock and temp guage in a black pvc plastic circle in its place. i haven't decided yet. It may look way too weird, promting me to order the quartz clock replacement. But man, these fixes are adding up.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Good luck and keep me posted.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I rewired my clock a couple of times, still amazed at how they work, hard to believe it's just a wind-up unit.
Salvaged guts from other clocks, (chevelle, might have been a buick though) even re-wound the coil once.
Spent an entire day setting and re-setting the speed to dial it in (got close, never quite right.
Let it run on the bench for about a week
Put it in the car, lasted about a week and a half before it arced the contacts closed again.
Took it out, took it apart and put in the quartz unit. I can pretend it goes tick tick tick by blinking my eyes
Mooser
Ohh, Krylon 1613.
Put in a DIN Radio, used one of those inserts, a little bondo (actually JB weld and Squadron-Green putty), two blast coats of Bed liner to "pebble" the face better and then two coats of Krylon and about an hour with Q-tip and lacquer thinner to clean the edges of the chrome
Salvaged guts from other clocks, (chevelle, might have been a buick though) even re-wound the coil once.
Spent an entire day setting and re-setting the speed to dial it in (got close, never quite right.
Let it run on the bench for about a week
Put it in the car, lasted about a week and a half before it arced the contacts closed again.
Took it out, took it apart and put in the quartz unit. I can pretend it goes tick tick tick by blinking my eyes
Mooser
Ohh, Krylon 1613.
Put in a DIN Radio, used one of those inserts, a little bondo (actually JB weld and Squadron-Green putty), two blast coats of Bed liner to "pebble" the face better and then two coats of Krylon and about an hour with Q-tip and lacquer thinner to clean the edges of the chrome
Last edited by Mooser; Jan 30, 2012 at 09:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
I used Eastwood's under hood black. Easy to get from their website.
Before
[IMG]
[/IMG]
After
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Now to reconnect the two pieces? By the way, I masked the chrome edges with 1/8" pin striping tape.
Before
[IMG]
[/IMG]After
[IMG]
[/IMG]Now to reconnect the two pieces? By the way, I masked the chrome edges with 1/8" pin striping tape.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Mine was snapped on only one side right at that thin joint. I tried a few things (crazy glue, epoxy, epoxy with some aluminum screen) but it would snap again and move out about 1/2"
I made a little steel block with a small groove in it and a 1/16 hole, slid the edge of the dash into the groove and drilled the hole carefully with a dremel tool. repeated on the other side and then put in a 1/16 steel (might have been a drill shank) pin to hold the two pieces in line. A bit of JB weld on the outside edge to help.
Been probably 10 years, installed, in and out numerous times (carefully) for stereo changes etc. never broke again
No pictures of the fix (pre-digital camera) but still have the drill guide in the tool box somewhere (I think)
Not sure if it would work for both sides, a lot of pressure threre
Anyway, just 2 cents worth
Mooser
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Just throwing it out there.
Mine was snapped on only one side right at that thin joint. I tried a few things (crazy glue, epoxy, epoxy with some aluminum screen) but it would snap again and move out about 1/2"
I made a little steel block with a small groove in it and a 1/16 hole, slid the edge of the dash into the groove and drilled the hole carefully with a dremel tool. repeated on the other side and then put in a 1/16 steel (might have been a drill shank) pin to hold the two pieces in line. A bit of JB weld on the outside edge to help.
Been probably 10 years, installed, in and out numerous times (carefully) for stereo changes etc. never broke again
No pictures of the fix (pre-digital camera) but still have the drill guide in the tool box somewhere (I think)
Not sure if it would work for both sides, a lot of pressure threre
Anyway, just 2 cents worth
Mooser
Mine was snapped on only one side right at that thin joint. I tried a few things (crazy glue, epoxy, epoxy with some aluminum screen) but it would snap again and move out about 1/2"
I made a little steel block with a small groove in it and a 1/16 hole, slid the edge of the dash into the groove and drilled the hole carefully with a dremel tool. repeated on the other side and then put in a 1/16 steel (might have been a drill shank) pin to hold the two pieces in line. A bit of JB weld on the outside edge to help.
Been probably 10 years, installed, in and out numerous times (carefully) for stereo changes etc. never broke again
No pictures of the fix (pre-digital camera) but still have the drill guide in the tool box somewhere (I think)
Not sure if it would work for both sides, a lot of pressure threre
Anyway, just 2 cents worth
Mooser
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I use Q-tips and lacquer thinner, making sure the paint is fully cured. Doesn't leave the sharp edge to chip
Works for me, if I do use a razor I use one of those plastic ones so I don't risk scratching the chrome
my 2 cents
Mooser
Works for me, if I do use a razor I use one of those plastic ones so I don't risk scratching the chrome
my 2 cents
Mooser
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Good masking beforehand beats getting paint off where you didn't want it in the first place. Those panels jave a very thin layer of (non-really) chrome on them which is easily taken off.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi tw,
If you found #1613 at your local store you're pretty lucky!
Any chance it's #51613?
That's the 'new' formula's number.
Also, I believe the bezels through the 76 model year have 'real' chrome plating.
Regards,
Alan
The old 1613 that's being sold to 'industrial' users (and on line) is very different than the 51613 that's in retail stores now.
If you found #1613 at your local store you're pretty lucky!
Any chance it's #51613?
That's the 'new' formula's number.
Also, I believe the bezels through the 76 model year have 'real' chrome plating.
Regards,
Alan
The old 1613 that's being sold to 'industrial' users (and on line) is very different than the 51613 that's in retail stores now.
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 19, 2012 at 06:53 PM.