Hi folks, I have a question about the gauge cluster dis-assembly. I recently installed the aluminum bezel rings around each of my gauges, and they look amazing. However, in my excitement to install them I accidentally managed to get a few smudges of glue from my finger tips on the tach gauge in a few spots. Its not readily noticeable unless the sun hits it just right, but I know its there. My question is are these gauge faces removable so I can replace the one I smudged up? I didn't notice it until I got it all back together. I only had the cluster apart as far as taking off the clear lens to install the bezels. If I keep taking things apart would I find that the gauge faces are separate pieces or are they part of the molded gauge pod itself? Just wondering the level of piece parts in the assembly and if I can one day swap it out for a different one from a parted out cluster some day. Oh, and no, I'm not interested in the overlays that are different colors. I like the stock black faces. Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on the assembly of the cluster for me.

 

the dash faces are one piece. you can buy aftermarket covers to the gauge faces if you messed them up that badly. Recently did my trims too

 

I won't swear to it, but I think the stock gauge faces as not removable. I have never heard of anyone removing them before. If I'm wrong, someone will correct me.

 

Won't Alcohol or Methanol remove the glue smudges?

 

That stuff might remove paint numbers and other things we tend to like on the gauges

 

If that backing is black plastic and not just white plastic painted black he should be able to put a little rubbing alcohol on a Q tip and buff it off I would imagine? It's not like there is really a finish on there that you have to be too concerned about. Just a thought. I have changed the backlighting on a lot of dashes and this is the method I use to take paint and stuff off of needles. Not messy and decently precise.

 

While we're fooling with the gauge cluster, has anyone found the inside of the clear face to be dusty? Is it difficult to access?

 

Based on personal experience, attempts to remove super glue from the stock gauge face risk further besmirching that face. When that cosmetic blemish is severe enough, you're left with a couple of options: buy a new (used, from Vette Nuts for example) gauge cluster; or put custom gauge faces on top of the original ones. Neither option is cheap; the gauge face option is about $100 and the new cluster can run $200 or more, depending on availability and the quality of that cluster.

If you opt for a new cluster, you'll want to swap out the Driver Information Center (DIC) computer so that your new cluster displays the mileage currently showing on your spoiled one. Here's a link on how to do this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...enter-dic.html

I did the latter, and took the opportunity to change the color to Millennium Yellow, same color as my C5 coupe. While this is a bit tedious, the result was exactly what I wanted. Here's a link to a vendor who helped me source my new gauge faces: http://www.c5racer.com/catalog/c5-c6...-face-kit.html

To Chasboy's question about dust on the inside of the gauge face cover, I (along with just about every C5 owner I know) had that same issue. While swapping out the gauge faces, I thoroughly cleaned that part. It's actually very easy to do once you remove the gauge cluster from the dash. Here's a link on how to do it from Vette Essentials: http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html

Good luck. PM me if you have questions.

The Lizzard

 

Should always wear cotton gloves on any gauge project...that is they way they are assembled. I would leave it alone and in time they may disappear...

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm probably just going to let it go. Like I said it's only noticeable if the sun hits it just right. I was pretty careful so it's really not that bad. The OCD in me just had to reach out to see if there was any chance of correcting it back to perfect condition.