Remove and clean instrument lens....?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 25,340
Likes: 222
From: Frisco, TX
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (whitelite)
Might as well add some custom bezels while you're in there: http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html :hurray: :hurray: :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 6
From: LOS ANGELES CA.
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (whitelite)
With all the work removing the instrument panel have you cnsidered the white gauges or the aluminumbezels? Good luck on your cleaning of the instrument.Be careful. :chevy :chevy :flag :chevy :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (ROD BROWN)
Amen! To what everyone here mentioned. I would also add that when you go to remove the plastic, please be sure to push down on all the tabs - but be careful as some are pretty stiff. I used a blunt butter knife to push down the lower tabs, course I have smaller fingers than most... sooo YMMV!
:lol:
:lol:
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Elmhurst IL
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (whitelite)
What you should know is that removing the instrument panel is a significant endevour. You will have to remove the center console, part of the lower dash, drop the steering column, detach the electrical connections and then massage the unit over the column and wheel.
Then, after the unit is removed, you need to partially dissasemble the IP itself. It is easily "do-able" for the intermediate "do-it-yourselfer", but midway through the process you realize that you've taken some of the guts out of your $50K car. It can be a bit daunting.
I did it - no rattles or squeeks. BUT - If you f&%$ it up, your in for an expensive and embarassing trip to the dealer.
Then, after the unit is removed, you need to partially dissasemble the IP itself. It is easily "do-able" for the intermediate "do-it-yourselfer", but midway through the process you realize that you've taken some of the guts out of your $50K car. It can be a bit daunting.
I did it - no rattles or squeeks. BUT - If you f&%$ it up, your in for an expensive and embarassing trip to the dealer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (MagRed2002)
No disrespect to MagRed2002's opinions, but I sincerely found the whole process to be pretty easy. Of course the pictures make it look pretty intimidating.... but really, you're only talking about a bunch of #15 Torx screws. :yesnod:
Just be a little gentle when it comes to pulling the interior bits off. I used a screwdriver to unplug many of the wire connections (I hate my tiny fingers!) and above all else FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!
Here they are again: http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html
I have some pics I could send along, but the directions were pretty much spot-on. OOOHHHH WAIT, one thing I learned that the directions didn't mention - Please be sure to telescope the steering wheel as far away from the dash as possible, it'll still be a little tough working the cluster out, but patience will pay off.
Email me directly if you happen to get stuck or frustrated as you're going along. :cheers:
Just be a little gentle when it comes to pulling the interior bits off. I used a screwdriver to unplug many of the wire connections (I hate my tiny fingers!) and above all else FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!
Here they are again: http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html
I have some pics I could send along, but the directions were pretty much spot-on. OOOHHHH WAIT, one thing I learned that the directions didn't mention - Please be sure to telescope the steering wheel as far away from the dash as possible, it'll still be a little tough working the cluster out, but patience will pay off.
Email me directly if you happen to get stuck or frustrated as you're going along. :cheers:
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Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (whitelite)
Go to the Vette Essentials web site and download their bezel instructions. It will tell you how to take the lens off.
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (whitelite)
Like others have said install the bezels while your in there, I believe there is a sale going on for $85 right now by one of our vendors. And I'd wear latex gloves to keep greasy finger prints off everything you touch. I'd also recommend a can of computer compressed air to really get all the dust etc out before reassembly.
Good luck
Tom
Good luck
Tom
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Vallejo CA
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (whitelite)
I can remove the entire dash in less than an hour, which makes it REAL easy to get the cluster out, in fact it's essential if you have HUD.
Next if you are going to CLEAN the lens, I recommend that you REPLACE it instead. (if it's not too late)
You can get the lens pretty cheap from GM and it won't have a scratch on it.
It's quite likely that your existing one will be spiderwebbed from the dust and previous cleanings.
The lens comes with new screws but they are phillips head and I throw them away and reuse the factory torx head ones.
Whatever method you use to get the cluster out I highly recommend replacement of the lens instead of cleaning.
EWill
Next if you are going to CLEAN the lens, I recommend that you REPLACE it instead. (if it's not too late)
You can get the lens pretty cheap from GM and it won't have a scratch on it.
It's quite likely that your existing one will be spiderwebbed from the dust and previous cleanings.
The lens comes with new screws but they are phillips head and I throw them away and reuse the factory torx head ones.
Whatever method you use to get the cluster out I highly recommend replacement of the lens instead of cleaning.
EWill
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (EWill3rd)
:iagree: After going through the work of pulling the dash it only makes sense to install a new lens. If that isn't possible you could use a polish made for plastics. I use it on the tail light lenses and the plastic headlight covers on two of my other cars. It works real nice but it WON'T remove deep scratches. Good luck with whatever you end up doing. :chevy
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 718
Likes: 3
From: Mason Mi
Re: Remove and clean instrument lens....? (Shortimer)
Thanks to all...great tips. Holy s**t, What an intimidating looking job. I think I'll wait until I decide about new bezels and such. Definately will do a new lens though,good call.
:cheers:
:cheers:
