Insrument Cluster Refurbishment

[cobra460jet 10]

Im refurbishing my instrument cluster in my 69 Mach. Any suggestions on what to do with the metal part that the guages sit inside of. Should I glass bead it to clean it up? How about painting the inside of it? Gloss white or flat white?

[BuckeyeDemon 211]

i media blasted and sprayed a gloss white. i don't know if it's better to be flat/semi gloss or a gloss. i'll find out soon if gloss causes some sort of issue.

 

i sprayed the inside of the tail light buckets the same white.

 

[cobra460jet 10]

Thanks Demon. Looks really good. Did you just media blast the backside and leave it unpainted. Some of the guys on the other mustang site are saying to paint it a satin flat white. Supposedly it diffuses the light better. I dont think it will make that much of a noticeable difference personally.

[BuckeyeDemon 211]

i blasted and painted the natural side as well.

 

i agree with you though. i'll be surprised if i really have a problem with the gloss.

[miketyler 15]

I just took mine apart. Its an original tach panel for 69 and the color was more of an off white or cream color. Maybe the original was pure-white and yellowed?

[BuckeyeDemon 211]

I just took mine apart. Its an original tach panel for 69 and the color was more of an off white or cream color. Maybe the original was pure-white and yellowed?

 

i have another original and it's a chalky (i.e flat, maybe age?) white. definitely not yellowed.

 

[cobra460jet 10]

Hey fellas and especially Buckeye.. Doesnt this metal guage pod serve as a ground for the instrument lights when its screwed to the car at the top? I know there is one ground thats on the left side of the dash panel fastened to the lower dash (metal). Want painting the backside interfere with the grounding? Also did you just take out the 2 spongey seals then reglue them after you media blasted them?

[buening 63]

Yes the metal gauge housing is the ground to the cluster. You can paint the exterior but will need to sand off the paint where the housing contacts the body, as well as the screw locations in the upper right corner (when looking at the back of the housing) and at the CVR.

 

My originals appear to be a satin white. I chose to paint mine gloss white. I doubt you'll notice much difference between gloss and satin in the light quality, but I wouldn't paint it flat white.

[miketyler 15]

Just finished detailing my metallized 70 panel and man, I dont want to ever do that again.

[Flanders 46]

that looks great!

[cobra460jet 10]

Just finished detailing my metallized 70 panel and man, I dont want to ever do that again.

That looks great. Who done the chrome work and what did you use to paint the black with? Does the black match to oem color?

[miketyler 15]

MrG of Ft Worth did the metallizing. I used a Rustolem brand satin black. I think it looks very close to the original but if I had to do it again I would buy a better quality paint.

[BuckeyeDemon 211]

Doesnt this metal guage pod serve as a ground for the instrument lights when its screwed to the car at the top? I know there is one ground thats on the left side of the dash panel fastened to the lower dash (metal). Want painting the backside interfere with the grounding? Also did you just take out the 2 spongey seals then reglue them after you media blasted them?

 

i'm not sure if the two screws/clips that hold the shell to the firewall (i'll call it the firewall) are really required or not. there is a return wire in the main connector. i'm sure having the metal contact the clip, fastener and firewall (will need to remove paint there too) will only ensure contact.

 

as far as removing paint from the two screws on the part itself then yes.

 

i removed the two seals for media blasting and then reglued after painting.

[miketyler 15]

My tach cluster foam made it and I was able to reglue it in back in place. The turn signal foam pieces disintegrated upon removal. I made some replacements from some thick felt.