Gauge Bezel Glue
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Gauge Bezel Glue
Ok so I'm going to do my 1st major interior mod next weekend & try to kill 2 birds with one console / dash removal. The new shifter box & MGW shifter just arrived & I am ready to go there. I also ordered the polished aluminum bezel kit from West Coast but after reading a few posts I'm a little concerned about which adhesive to use. I read the instruction sheet from West Coast and they don't exactly instill confidence when they say: "We believe the suppled glue is sufficient to adhere the bezel in place, but please recognize that West Coast Corvettes can only provide the proper tool and suggestions, while ultimate care and results are the responsibility of the installer." Ok I get the whole lawyer thing but I really want it to say "if you follow the instructions these things will stay on!!" At any rate I've read several posts on the topic and still don't have a good feeling about what will best hold them in place & I don't want to take it apart again later. Comments from those who have had experience are appreciated!!
Last edited by BLKY2KC5; Jun 24, 2012 at 09:04 AM. Reason: grammar
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
I lightly sanded both the cluster and the bazel where they make contact to give the glue more surface bite then used supper glue. Three years later none of the bazels have come off.
IMPORTANT - Do not reassemble the cluster for at least 24 hours (48 is better) to allow the glue to cure and keep the cluster in a vertical position during this period. Failure to do this may cause damage to your instrument cluster.
IMPORTANT - Do not reassemble the cluster for at least 24 hours (48 is better) to allow the glue to cure and keep the cluster in a vertical position during this period. Failure to do this may cause damage to your instrument cluster.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I have read a lot of threads where the rings came off after some time, Most that have posted on this issue say to use super glue and be done with it. Make sure both dash and rings are really clean and be careful with the glue.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Gel Super Glue
I just completed the reglue of the tach ring. I used a new type of super glue that is a gel. It is much erasier to use than the original Super Glue
The exercise took about three hours.
Good luck.
The exercise took about three hours.
Good luck.
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Sure sounds like super glue is the way to go. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I used super glue on mine several years ago and have never had a problem. I believe it was the super glue provided by West Coast Corvette when I bought the rings. I had no problems installing the rings, and thankfully they've never fallen off. What a PITA that would be if I had to repair fallen off gage bezels. I also recently installed a set of trim rings for the A/C vents that are also sold by WCC. They make a nice complement to the gage bezels.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 391
Likes: 4
From: New Lenox IL
St. Jude Donor '12
Do an advance search on here about bezel install. I did when I did mine and I found out most who have done it got the best results with RTV Black. That is what I used on mine, cleaned the bezels and surfaces good with denatured alcohol and had a prep stick, then coated the bezel with rtv black and placed them down and held in place for a good minute. Did the same with them all and then let sit vertical for 24 hours. I also used q-tips to clean the edges for any rtv that was on the gauge face or bezel. Looks awesome and have had no problems with the bezels lifting, moving, etc...what so ever. Just takes some time to apply the rtv and make sure none is visible where it is not supposed to be.
I would definitely not use gorilla glue. It expands over the next 24 hours and once it does, it will probably show on the edges of the bezel and once that stuff dries it is really hard to remove just looks aweful.
Good luck, great mod and looks awesome at night. Post some pics when you are done.
I would definitely not use gorilla glue. It expands over the next 24 hours and once it does, it will probably show on the edges of the bezel and once that stuff dries it is really hard to remove just looks aweful.
Good luck, great mod and looks awesome at night. Post some pics when you are done.