Guage Bezel Ring Install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Franklin WI
Guage Bezel Ring Install
How difficult is it to install the aluminum/stainless steel bezel rings on the instruments? How do you remove the clear plastic lens covering all of the guages?
Anybody have preference if there stainless steel or aluminum (other than saving a few grams in weight
)? Any recommendations on vendors?
Thanks guys,
DKHIGHPERF
Anybody have preference if there stainless steel or aluminum (other than saving a few grams in weight
)? Any recommendations on vendors?Thanks guys,
DKHIGHPERF
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 4
From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I dunno, but it looks like a messy job. 
Check out this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...nstrument+mods
Check out this thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...nstrument+mods
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 4
From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 161
From: Atwater CA
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I bought mine on eBay for like $75 + $5 shipping. Search ebay for "Corvette Gauge Bezel". Try the links John suggested and http://thelapd.com/bezel.htm . There are more links out there. I did mine when I did my HUD retrofit. The clear plastic just snaps off pretty easy when you get the instrument cluster out. Once you have done this you could do it again in a couple hours, maybe less, but tearing it this far apart takes huejos! Check it out.... Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Savannah Ga
I had a good time doing mine.
I planned on an afternoon to get them done but only took a few hours, including interruptions.
Patience is key here. If you take your time then it will be a much easier job. Do it on a weekend when you don't plan on driving it, that way you won't rush yourself.
I have the aluminum bezels. They are lightly brushed. And, they greatly improve the appearance.
I planned on an afternoon to get them done but only took a few hours, including interruptions.
Patience is key here. If you take your time then it will be a much easier job. Do it on a weekend when you don't plan on driving it, that way you won't rush yourself.
I have the aluminum bezels. They are lightly brushed. And, they greatly improve the appearance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA Peach State Posse
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Originally Posted by hardtop
I had a good time doing mine.
I planned on an afternoon to get them done but only took a few hours, including interruptions.
Patience is key here. If you take your time then it will be a much easier job. Do it on a weekend when you don't plan on driving it, that way you won't rush yourself.
I have the aluminum bezels. They are lightly brushed. And, they greatly improve the appearance.
I planned on an afternoon to get them done but only took a few hours, including interruptions.
Patience is key here. If you take your time then it will be a much easier job. Do it on a weekend when you don't plan on driving it, that way you won't rush yourself.
I have the aluminum bezels. They are lightly brushed. And, they greatly improve the appearance.
I did mine last weekend, and I'm not an expert mechanic by any means.
The Vette Essentials instructions are great. Print them out and follow them step by step. I took my time, it was a gloomy rainy afternoon anyway. It ended up taking about 5 hours with lunch break and a trip to Sears for a 3" extension that I didn't have.
I really like the new look and how the bezels reflect the blacklights at night.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Is the gauge bezel from Ebay the same as the ones Mid America is selling. Maybe it is just the pics, but the ones on Mid America shines more than the Ebay one. Just curious if anyone has any idea about the quality between the two. Thanks
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Just do it when you have about 2 hours total...
Remember the locations of the nuts and screws, as well as the plugs you have to disconnect.
Take your time when you glue the bezels on... use plenty of glue so they don't fall off later, but not too much to where you have runs.
If you have someone local to help you, I would suggest an experienced assistant.
'
Dave
Remember the locations of the nuts and screws, as well as the plugs you have to disconnect.
Take your time when you glue the bezels on... use plenty of glue so they don't fall off later, but not too much to where you have runs.
If you have someone local to help you, I would suggest an experienced assistant.
'Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
Just installed a set of aluminum guage bezels in my 03 coupe a few weeks ago. Finally pulled the trigger on some VetteEssentials goodies for the interior and figured while I was at it I would install the bezels.
I originally wanted to order from Ken at VE but he does not carry the bezels any longer. Picked up a great deal on them at Xtreme Motorsports, supporting CF vendor. Ken King's install instructions on the Vette Essentials site are excellent. In my opinion, this install is not for the faint of heart. If you are mechanically inclined and have steady hands and plenty of time, you can do it. My best advice is to take your time. It is going to take you longer than 2 hours. You better figure on the better part of a day if you want it done right.
Gluing the bezels in place is the toughest part of the install. You only get one shot at it and you have to have the hands of a watchmaker. Just take your time and do not sweat it. It is fun and rewarding mod. Good luck with it.
I originally wanted to order from Ken at VE but he does not carry the bezels any longer. Picked up a great deal on them at Xtreme Motorsports, supporting CF vendor. Ken King's install instructions on the Vette Essentials site are excellent. In my opinion, this install is not for the faint of heart. If you are mechanically inclined and have steady hands and plenty of time, you can do it. My best advice is to take your time. It is going to take you longer than 2 hours. You better figure on the better part of a day if you want it done right.
Gluing the bezels in place is the toughest part of the install. You only get one shot at it and you have to have the hands of a watchmaker. Just take your time and do not sweat it. It is fun and rewarding mod. Good luck with it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by jcs712
Just installed a set of aluminum guage bezels in my 03 coupe a few weeks ago. Finally pulled the trigger on some VetteEssentials goodies for the interior and figured while I was at it I would install the bezels.
I originally wanted to order from Ken at VE but he does not carry the bezels any longer. Picked up a great deal on them at Xtreme Motorsports, supporting CF vendor. Ken King's install instructions on the Vette Essentials site are excellent. In my opinion, this install is not for the faint of heart. If you are mechanically inclined and have steady hands and plenty of time, you can do it. My best advice is to take your time. It is going to take you longer than 2 hours. You better figure on the better part of a day if you want it done right.
Gluing the bezels in place is the toughest part of the install. You only get one shot at it and you have to have the hands of a watchmaker. Just take your time and do not sweat it. It is fun and rewarding mod. Good luck with it.
I originally wanted to order from Ken at VE but he does not carry the bezels any longer. Picked up a great deal on them at Xtreme Motorsports, supporting CF vendor. Ken King's install instructions on the Vette Essentials site are excellent. In my opinion, this install is not for the faint of heart. If you are mechanically inclined and have steady hands and plenty of time, you can do it. My best advice is to take your time. It is going to take you longer than 2 hours. You better figure on the better part of a day if you want it done right.
Gluing the bezels in place is the toughest part of the install. You only get one shot at it and you have to have the hands of a watchmaker. Just take your time and do not sweat it. It is fun and rewarding mod. Good luck with it.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by John's/Pewter/Oak/01
Did it at the same time I did my HUD retrofit. Not too bad of a job at all. Just go slow and follow the instructions. You'll really like the results.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I cleaned the back of the bezels and the trim rings with denatured alcohol and a q=tip before i did the glueing.......... figured I'd take the time long as I had everything apart. Don't want to be taking it out again and hope this made some sense...........
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,587
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Got mine on Ebay ,search for "billet bezels C5 " , about $ 75.00 and great quality .seller " logitech".
not for the first time DIY , but if you take your time , and follow the instructions sent with the rings , you should be OK . I replaced my lens with a new one $ 45.00 at the dealer to freshen the cluster up more .
Work slow and watch for finger prints or dust from getting into the matt black face of the cluster .
Basically TAKE YOUR TIME !
not for the first time DIY , but if you take your time , and follow the instructions sent with the rings , you should be OK . I replaced my lens with a new one $ 45.00 at the dealer to freshen the cluster up more .
Work slow and watch for finger prints or dust from getting into the matt black face of the cluster .
Basically TAKE YOUR TIME !
Last edited by corvettezman; Mar 5, 2006 at 05:27 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
Originally Posted by jcs712
Gluing the bezels in place is the toughest part of the install. You only get one shot at it and you have to have the hands of a watchmaker. Just take your time and do not sweat it. It is fun and rewarding mod. Good luck with it.
I had to take mine apart a second time to go in and clean up all the glue that was on the black area.
It seems I had glue on my fingers and it got all over the black area creating white spots. It cleaned up perfectly with some acetone and a Q-tip. Guess I at least got plenty of glue on the rings as they have not fallen off yet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 54
From: slower lower DE
Used Vette Essentials directions- they are dead on. Just follow and don't force anything on or off. Also. test fit! I had my wife actually put the bezels on - smaller fingers. Used crazy glue gel instead of liquid. Don't put to much glue on and follow directions on which angled surface to put it on. I had also read that you should not reassemble plastic cover for 45-60 minutes because the glue emits "gasses" that can fog up the clear plastic. Dont know if its true or not, but did it anyway.
Total time about 2-2.5 hours.
Total time about 2-2.5 hours.