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PaulK Member
Joined: Jun 02, 2007 Posts: 37
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: Instrument cluster help |
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Hi Guys,
I am in the process of cleaning the faces of the gauges. The faces are scratched and yellowed besides being painted. How in the heck can you clean up the faces? Are they glass or plastic , has anyone ever tried to use some kind of graduated polisher? Thanks.
Regards,
Paul |
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OKCM38CDN Guest
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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In the few gauges I have taken apart the faces are plastic and easily scratched...
I can not remember what I used to clean the paint off mine... I think it was Xylene, Let soak over night and then wash in soap and water...
Use a spare to test first... If you have one.... |
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Ryan_Miller Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 03, 2005 Posts: 1634 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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If they are not cracked or scratched to deeply, you can sand with fine sand paper, then finer sand paper, then finer sand paper (2000 grit) and then polish with some 3M plastic lens polishing compounds. That is if the yellow does not go all the way through.
Or you could take the lens out and insert a peice of clear plastic. _________________ Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010 |
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PaulK Member
Joined: Jun 02, 2007 Posts: 37
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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How do the gauges come apart?
Paul |
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Ryan_Miller Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 03, 2005 Posts: 1634 Location: Kansas
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Paul,
The bezel is crimped around the back side edge.
Be careful.
I would recomend taking them to a restoration specialty that restores gauges. _________________ Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010 |
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Thomas Member
Joined: Nov 22, 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Van Wych, SC
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: |
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Paul;
In the restoration of our M38 our gauges too were scratched and had paint on them. I used a combination of hand scraping/chipping the paint off with a series of x-acto knives, then hand polished the faces with a 3M microfinishing compound liquid and a soft cotton cloth. I bought the polishing compound at NAPA. It is used in the car painting process.
The small grid feature of this material cleans and polished rather than scratching the plastic surfaces. I also used in on the faces and the lens for our blackout lights and tail lights to clean and polish them. Also, the make up of this material does not effect the plastic material.
It is a lot of hard work and takes time, but the gauge faces can come out looking new. It is worth it.
Thomas
Charlotte, NC |
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weasel Member
Joined: Aug 21, 2007 Posts: 52 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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talk about being on the same page I just pulled my gauges out and was waundering what to do. Thanks I will give this a try |
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Scott21 Member
Joined: Apr 12, 2007 Posts: 232 Location: Central New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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Use FLITS with the polish ball any your drill. Set it to a low RPM and take your time. Also takes scratches out of plastic windows, just mask the area so the polish does not get on the top, It will discolor the top. |
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OKCM38CDN Guest
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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I used a product called Never Dull, is cotton imbedded with a polish that takes the paint off and cleans the faces. Must be done by hand though...
Hope this helps... |
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