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Gauge Bezel fell off

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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 12:39 PM
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Default Gauge Bezel fell off

Anyone know the source for the original adhesive that came with the Bezels? I read that some have had an issue with using super-glue because it has a tendency to out-gas and fog up the clear gauge cover. So I thought I would try to use with the original stuff. The outside temperature here got up to 109 degrees yesterday (much hotter inside the car) and one bezel fell off.

Also; since I will have the dash and console dismantled to re-apply the bezel, are there some other enhancements or mods you would recommend?


Oh...just thought of one....MGW shifter

Thanks in advance for your help.

BUGZ

Last edited by BUGZ; Jun 19, 2008 at 11:50 AM.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by BUGZ
Anyone know the source for the original adhesive that came with the Bezels? I read that some have had an issue with using super-glue because it has a tendency to out-gas and fog up the clear gauge cover. So I thought I would try to use with the original stuff. The outside temperature here got up to 109 degrees yesterday (much hotter inside the car) and one bezel fell off.

Also; since I will have the dash and console dismantled to re-apply the bezel, are there some other enhancements or mods you would recommend?


Oh...just thought of one....MSG shifter

Thanks in advance for your help.

BUGZ
Not sure what they use on the Bezels, I had a chrome insert fall of and I went to Lowes and got some very thin dbl backed 3M tape and it worked great, The trick is to use denatured alcohol to clean the surfaces really good.
jmo
Bill
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 12:50 PM
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I would like to do this mod but have seen so many posts about the rings falling off, I just forgot about it
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 01:12 PM
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Could do an LED mod to the DIC buttons. Just going white makes them so much brighter. Consider blue or red. Lot of info on how to with search here.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:10 PM
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ttt
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:22 PM
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Super Glue is used to hold on the rings.

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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:25 PM
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Go to a hobby shop and buy medium viscosity CA glue. CA glue is a form of super glue but works much better. I use it for all kinds of stuff, I never waste my time and money on super glue. Leave the lens off overnight so it can off gas. David
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:35 PM
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Check out this thread..guy used Black RTV and was very please over superglues that cause fumes or harden and fall off.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2050345
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 02:46 PM
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did mine a week ago.I used super glue for PLASTICS instead of supplied double stick tape.The reason-even that it's pretty thin the tape will set the rings closer inside the gauge and block some of the fine numericals.IMHO
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 03:33 PM
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Thanks for the responses....Got three contenders to consider:
Double Back Sticky tape (3M?) (the heat may let the bezel sag over time),
Medium Viscosity CA Glue (still has out-gassing issue),
Black RTV (high temp Black RTV may be the way to go) I think I still may have a tube I used to seal Jeep differential cover.

I'll let you know what I finally go with.

Last edited by BUGZ; Jun 18, 2008 at 03:48 PM.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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People have had problems with them falling off using regular superglue. If you use the superglue gel this seem to solve the problem. Just leave the lens off for 24 to 48 hours and you wont have any gassing problems. If you use the hobby shop type superglues you will still have the same problem unless you use the thicker glue the problem is when you use the thin superglues if you put too much on it will run out or drip and cause a mess so you just put on a little with the superglue gel you can put more on and get a more even coat.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 04:22 PM
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The stuff they sent with mine looked like CA gel.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
People have had problems with them falling off using regular superglue. If you use the superglue gel this seem to solve the problem. Just leave the lens off for 24 to 48 hours and you wont have any gassing problems. If you use the hobby shop type superglues you will still have the same problem unless you use the thicker glue the problem is when you use the thin superglues if you put too much on it will run out or drip and cause a mess so you just put on a little with the superglue gel you can put more on and get a more even coat.
I used the DURO brand super glue gel. My bezels have been on for close to 2 years and no issues. I threw the liquid stuff they sent with my kit away. Good luck with it.
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by BUGZ
Thanks for the responses....Got three contenders to consider:
Double Back Sticky tape (3M?) (the heat may let the bezel sag over time),
Medium Viscosity CA Glue (still has out-gassing issue),
Black RTV (high temp Black RTV may be the way to go) I think I still may have a tube I used to seal Jeep differential cover.

I'll let you know what I finally go with.
Edit....four to consider:
Superglue "Gel". (sounds promising)

I like the sound of the Gel stuff. The key is to let it out-gas / cure for 24-48 hrs
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 06:01 PM
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the problem with using superglue of any viscosity... isn't the glue; it's the aluminum rings that expand and contract with temperature changes over the years.

All superglue dries hard and is not flexible. A few seasons of the aluminum bezels expanding and contracting will eventually break them free of the surface they were originally superglued to.

The suggestion to use a flexible adhesive (RTV or SUPER RC Z 56) in an excellent one.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
the problem with using superglue of any viscosity... isn't the glue; it's the aluminum rings that expand and contract with temperature changes over the years.

All superglue dries hard and is not flexible. A few seasons of the aluminum bezels expanding and contracting will eventually break them free of the surface they were originally superglued to.

The suggestion to use a flexible adhesive (RTV or SUPER RC Z 56) in an excellent one.

Mike,
Is the SUPER RC Z 56 available at a typical auto parts store or is more of a Hobby or Hardware item?

Thanks for your input

BUGZ
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 12:37 PM
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RTV is just silicone, If you want to go this way just go to home depot or lowes and get the cheapest silicone calking or bath tub sealer. If you want clear or black you'll have to go to the auto parts.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by BUGZ
Mike,
Is the SUPER RC Z 56 available at a typical auto parts store or is more of a Hobby or Hardware item?

Thanks for your input

BUGZ

It's more a craft type glue; sold at hobby shops. But RTV is available everywhere - and it's thicker (easier to manage) than the RC 56.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 03:22 PM
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Default I used the gel.....

I used the Gel....and never again...It ruined my bezels and my gauge cluster. I left the clear plastic off and let the rings sit overnight. When I got up in the morning...what a surprise....White haze from the glue all over the rings and my cluster! Completely ruined. I had to get replacement rings and had to repaint my cluster. So word of warning....if its humid out, don't do the superglue at all. I would say use the High heat black RTV.

Stay away from the Gel....nothing but headaches, both now and later.
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Old Jun 20, 2008 | 12:14 AM
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After reading about all who have had bezels fall off using superglue, I used a thin coat of 5 minute epoxy put on the back side of the bezels with a brush. Put the cluster back together 1/2 hour after I mounted the last bezel. No gassing and no falling off problems after 3 months.
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