Can you remove the clear plastic from the gauge cluster?

themilkguy · Post by **themilkguy** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 6:20 pm

Hi folks,

As the subject says...

I have a spiderweb crack through the clear plastic that guards the gauges. Can't seem to find a gentle way to pry it off, and before something breaks I thought I'd ask if anyone's done this before.

Moreover, anyone have any luck scoring a replacement piece of clear?

Cheers,
Craig

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:25 pm

Yes. It comes off. I've found that inadvertently every time I go to pull a cluster. I think they're all broken. I don't think a lot of people know how to actually remove one.

I don't believe it's supposed to be a separate piece.

themilkguy · Post by **themilkguy** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:20 pm

Well, until right now you could have added me to that list of folks who don't know how to remove the clear plastic. Turns out that with some patience (and judicious use of a small flat-head screwdriver and hobby knife) it can easily be done.

The plastic is held in place by a glue that is applied in short dashed strips all along the perimeter. Getting a hobby knife into the groove between the black plastic case and the clear plastic shield will allow you to easily break the glue's bonds in succession all around said perimeter.

Before:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/Lub ... directlink

Dividing seam:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/oTa ... directlink

Glue strips:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/yhy ... directlink

After:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/Ydq ... directlink

As you work around the case, the screwdriver helps to spread the gap a little wider to allow easier use of the blade.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

Cheace,
Craig

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:31 pm

Nice post.

What happens next? Are you going to fix/polish the lens?

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:12 am

Greatt Post! Well explained. Peter, I think this should go to the FAQ section. My only question is; can the cluster stay in place, or does it HAVE to come out?
Ohhh, I think I got it. Maybe it needs to be half way removed to allow room for the small screwdriver to seperate the face from the body. But the steering wheel may need to be removed for comfort? OK, just take it out, huh?
What kinda guy answers his own questions? Maybe I shouldn't have posted this? Now I really feel weird! Never mind,,,,Greg

DMS · Post by **DMS** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:21 am

Greg you always 'talk' like this in your posts. You're already way beyond the line where I find your posts odd. It's already starting to feel normal

.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 3:53 pm

You've made my day! At least I got a smile.

How's you wonderful (and I mean that ) project coming along?
Good Luck,,,,Greg

DMS · Post by **DMS** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 12:40 am

It was also meant in a positive way.

Concerning the project: http://www.firstfives.org/bboard/viewtopic.php?t=1513

I don't want to steal this topic.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:33 am

Well ya know, my glass is still half full. It's the other half that bothers me,,,,,
in many ways!
Your project is lookin' good! Greg

themilkguy · Post by **themilkguy** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:38 pm

Blaise wrote:Nice post.

What happens next? Are you going to fix/polish the lens?

Well,

I'm going to try my hand at lessening the effect of the cracks by filling with cyanoacrylate (crazy glue) and some future acrylic floor polish. Time will tell if it helps.

Now that I'm inside the cluster I am going to fit chrome bezels around the (soon to be) white gauges.

Craig

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:04 pm

themilkguy wrote:
Blaise wrote:Nice post.

What happens next? Are you going to fix/polish the lens?
Well,

I'm going to try my hand at lessening the effect of the cracks by filling with cyanoacrylate (crazy glue) and some future acrylic floor polish. Time will tell if it helps.

Now that I'm inside the cluster I am going to fit chrome bezels around the (soon to be) white gauges.

Craig

Craig:

Wait. I used to use cyanacrylates to build model airplanes. If I remember correctly, they will make a mess of clear plastics. They will fog the plastic around the area that has been glued. I do remember having a special bottle formulated for use with polystyrene...but not sure how it would do on plastic. Usually the fogging does not appear until it has cured.

There are glues specifically made for this. I recently built a lens for a light fixture.

You can find some info here:

This is the glue that I used:

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=130&

It is as fluid as water...so you apply it with a syringe, with the parts assembled and it sucks into the joint. The glue has a very short shelf life.

As for polishing, I have had great results with:

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06208.html

themilkguy · Post by **themilkguy** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:45 pm

'Nuff said. Thanks Blaise, I'll look into this a bit further.

Cheers,
Craig

RonDwyer · Post by **RonDwyer** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:41 am

If you are willing to work with 1/8" acrylic and a hydrogen flame you could make a new front lens. You have to soften it with hydrogen because carbon chain gases leave a black residue. That's how they polish the bank windows. Might be easier to find a good used one.