I can tell you this...the 'pros' way is money well spent. and yeah that price is high... but thats what it cost to restore a cluster. Blows for sure!
If you got the time and patience..heck ya do it yourself. There's a lot that goes into the restore, from repairs to the bezel, plastic chroming, gauge calibrations, lenses repairs, circuit board repairs. The list goes on and on. That is one detail, if you don't have the time, tools and know how...send it out.
I agree about doing whatever you can on your own. But some things are better left to those that have done it and have the right resources.
I hate "down time" so much I bought two cars...just incase one is down...I have one to drive. IF both go down...my head might explode!!!!
Aloha!