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Old 07-19-2014, 09:51 PM   #1
JointTech
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gauge cluster plastic cleaning

any good ideas on cleaning the plastic without scuffing it up or removing the painted on labels?

Are there stickers anywhere to replace the writing if it flakes off?

I have a crack in one of the scrw holes on the bezel. Any good ideas on sealing it up? I was think just super glue it. there is no gap in the crack. then sand and high build primer the whole bezel. Im not going for a real stock look. the highbuild by itself will cover the crack but ill have to remember to barely tighten that screw.

On the gauges the black paint and labels are pretty good so I just need to do the needles. they have a strange crust on them so im going to try to sand it off without touching the gauge and then paint the needles carefully.
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Old 07-19-2014, 10:09 PM   #2
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

You can likely polish the opposite side, and maybe the inner parts of the printed side, with Novus or Meguiar's clear plastic polish. If you have a lot of fine scratches you might need a couple of different "steps" of products, like a cleaner and a polish.

Problem is that the lettering probably won't stand up to it. I've destroyed other clusters with a cotton ball and water (not a truck one), so it depends on how dried and dead the printing is.

The reproductions of the clear lens are actually good (and I hate 98% of reproduction parts). If it were me, and it wasn't critical to me that I had the original lens, it'd be way easier and probably more cost effective (compared to the products you'll need to clean that one) to put in a brand new one.

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...number=INSCF00

While you're in there, I lined mine with 3M foil tape (like they use in the HVAC industry for ducts, but not cloth "duct" or "duck" tape, it's very reflective). I feel it brightened it up quite a bit. You might lose the green color reflected off the back though.
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Old 07-19-2014, 10:16 PM   #3
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

i dont care about original. Im thinking of then just doing something weird and wild with it instead. I have some metal tape I could use. I was already thinking of painting it with some rustoleum aluminum I have that looks pretty shiny on my transmission.
I saw a black on white label kit on LMC but havent seen an original on yet.
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Old 07-19-2014, 10:19 PM   #4
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...googleproducts

This stuff works great
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Old 07-19-2014, 10:20 PM   #5
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

I doubt they'll sell a separate sticker kit (they're painted, not stickers, originally) when the whole lens is only $49 in the link above.

There's a replacement cluster available with all cool new gauges that still look like retro-truck but updated. It's something like $600 or more though. In all the catalogs.
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Old 07-19-2014, 11:25 PM   #6
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

Sanding needle would be difficult , I used MEK or acetone wet on a rag to clean needles on guauges with heavy crud , come off easy if only light surface crib I just painted over it and came out fine, got some fluorescent orange from local hobby store , painted needle with small brush and needles look great
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Old 07-19-2014, 11:54 PM   #7
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

heres the flaky needle


I had this paint pen in my hand so what the heck.


You can see how much shinier the flourescent paint is


I also found these.
Amazon.com: 1969-1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Clear... Amazon.com: 1969-1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Clear...
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Old 07-20-2014, 12:40 AM   #8
69chevytrucker
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

i think repop lens are pretty cheap
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Old 07-21-2014, 07:22 AM   #9
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Re: gauge cluster plastic cleaning

this one changes the plastic
http://www.whitegauges.net/products/...ment-Lens.html

this one covers the gauges
http://www.whitegauges.net/products/...ce-Gauges.html

looks pretty cool.
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