Those With White Face Guages
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 1
From: El Paso TX
Those With White Face Guages
To make a long story short, I somehow ruined the plastic that covers the guage cluster (speedometer, rpms) trying to clean it. Now the plastic is scratched and blurry and it looks cheap. How hard is it to remove just that plastic piece? I figured you would have to remove it when changing over to white face guages. Please help me...it is really annoying. :crazy:
Well, after a little research it looks like the gauge cluster is one unit with the plastic attached directly to it. :cry Now my question is, what can I do to make it look new again??? I'd hate to think I have to see this everytime I get into the car. :nonod:
[Modified by Viprklr, 9:31 PM 3/25/2002]
Well, after a little research it looks like the gauge cluster is one unit with the plastic attached directly to it. :cry Now my question is, what can I do to make it look new again??? I'd hate to think I have to see this everytime I get into the car. :nonod:
[Modified by Viprklr, 9:31 PM 3/25/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
From: America
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
Viprkilr, sorry for your mistake..................
NEVER use paper towels of ANY kind on the plastic dash speedo covers.......
Paper towels are just wood fibers woven together, and they will scratch the devil out of the soft plastic shields......
Same goes for the paint(clearcoat).
Always use 100% cotton terry cloth or better, and lightly dampen and swab the speedo cluster with it.......to remove dust particles that will scratch even when using cotton( if dry).
Then folow up with dry soft towel, also DO NOT use any cleaners........UNLESS they are approved for plastic,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and even then, I would NOT. :cry
NEVER use paper towels of ANY kind on the plastic dash speedo covers.......
Paper towels are just wood fibers woven together, and they will scratch the devil out of the soft plastic shields......
Same goes for the paint(clearcoat).
Always use 100% cotton terry cloth or better, and lightly dampen and swab the speedo cluster with it.......to remove dust particles that will scratch even when using cotton( if dry).
Then folow up with dry soft towel, also DO NOT use any cleaners........UNLESS they are approved for plastic,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and even then, I would NOT. :cry
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Re: Those With White Face Guages (ZO6LS6)
Meguiars makes a plastic cleaner and a plastic polish. They will make it look like new. I use this all the time on motorcycle face shields. Good luck
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Hackettstown NJ
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
If the polish doesn't work, taking the cluster out really is not all that hard. If I remember correctly, after you remove the plastic under the steering wheel, by the key, and by the fog light switch there are only two bults that need to be removed and the cluster will come out. You will have to tilt down the wheel as far as possable to get the cluster past the wheel. Once you get the cluster out you will see how the plaster cover comes of the cluster. Remember to take the wiring off the back of the cluster. Then you can pull and twist to get the cluster out. This should only take an hour or so. I think the only tools you will need are a 10mm, torex, philips and standard screw drivers.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
Try Zaino Z5.
If that does not work try Flitz. They use it on plastic rear windows on convertibles.
[Modified by chuckster, 10:06 AM 3/26/2002]
If that does not work try Flitz. They use it on plastic rear windows on convertibles.
[Modified by chuckster, 10:06 AM 3/26/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1
From: DFW TX
Senior Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
The plastic cover over the guage cluster can be removed, I have done it. You have to press in all the tabs all the way around it and work it out. It's kinda of PITA, but can be done. I'm not sure if they sell the piece seperate though or if you have to buy an entire new guage cluster.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Tarzana (L.A.), California
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
Hi big guy,
I believe I have the solution to your dilema.
You might think its crazy but I'm sure it will fix your problem with minimal
work and money so just bare with me.
Most pawn shops, jewelry stores, and watch shops have this circular
buffing machine which polishes and removes scraches on most items.
I know this because older watches with glass or plastic faces can have
scratches removed. This is how jewelry stores RECONDITION watches for
resale. Simply take your gauge cover to any of these shops and they will
gladly buff out scratches and hazes on your plastic cover.
I used to be in jewelry business and I am sure this will work perfect for
you. Hope this helped.
Regards,
Danny
I believe I have the solution to your dilema.
You might think its crazy but I'm sure it will fix your problem with minimal
work and money so just bare with me.
Most pawn shops, jewelry stores, and watch shops have this circular
buffing machine which polishes and removes scraches on most items.
I know this because older watches with glass or plastic faces can have
scratches removed. This is how jewelry stores RECONDITION watches for
resale. Simply take your gauge cover to any of these shops and they will
gladly buff out scratches and hazes on your plastic cover.
I used to be in jewelry business and I am sure this will work perfect for
you. Hope this helped.
Regards,
Danny
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 1
From: El Paso TX
Re: Those With White Face Guages (DannyT)
Thanks all for the concern and suggestions. Looks like I am going to try Novus plastic cleaner and polish. They guarantee it will work. I'll post results when I use it. :cheers:
DannyT - Your suggestion will be next on my list if the polish doesn't work. :smash: Thanks man! :cheers:
DannyT - Your suggestion will be next on my list if the polish doesn't work. :smash: Thanks man! :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville KY
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
Please let us know how it turns out. I'm going to be doing the white-face guage install here soon, and it would be nice to polish the plastic while it is out. I've got some faint 'spider-webs' in the plastic (You can see them in the daylight, but not at night) that I would like to see if this product will take care of.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Corona CA
Re: Those With White Face Guages (WhitneyR)
Here is a guide for installing the white gauge faces.
http://members.rennlist.com/myc5/page3.html
As far as the plastic cover I would think any car polish like Meguire's would work - I use it on my CD's that get scratched and it works great !
http://members.rennlist.com/myc5/page3.html
As far as the plastic cover I would think any car polish like Meguire's would work - I use it on my CD's that get scratched and it works great !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,532
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Those With White Face Guages (Viprklr)
Chevy does sell just the lens for the gauges, Part # is 12533420, cost is about $45. I too scratched mine, not to bad, but bad enough to annoy me. I'm going to change mine when I do the white face gauges.
[Modified by Arnie's C5, 5:38 AM 3/27/2002]
[Modified by Arnie's C5, 5:38 AM 3/27/2002]