Cluster re-do (pics)

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Bigmacdak

I'll take the Duster.....
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I was tired of working on the inner fenderwells of the duster so I decided to take a break. I had been needing to do this for a while now so here goes....
My cluster in my duster was looking kinda worn so I decided to clean it up. However the cluster in my 72 valli parts car was near mint for it age so I decided to clean it up & use it.


Here is what I started with. Its dated 6 of 69 & its lookin rough! Years of neglect & add on toggle switches have gave it that ragged out look.
trim2020.jpg




Disasembly of the old cluster (for inspection purposes)

trim2013.jpg

trim2010.jpg




Disassembly of the donor cluster (for cleaning purposes)

trim2009.jpg

trim2011.jpg




Reassembly using the 72' donor frame (note the seat belt light), the donor speedo & the donor temp,fuel & alt gauges. Mileage will be off, but the car is already registered & I dont plan on selling it. I cleaned up the faces first with windex to remove any dust & grime, then gave them a good, but gentle polish with regular turtle wax.
trim2012.jpg




I finished it off with a nos bezel I got from e-bay. This was the first part I bought for my duster, about a week after I brough it home. What do you guys think? I think they turned out super!! All it took was a little time & turtle wax! lol!! :cheers:

trim2016.jpg
 
So you just polished the actual gauges with turtle wax? The black part right? Man does that bezel look good, wish mine still had some chrome left :toothy10:
 
I just cleaned the actual gauges first with some windex on a rag, then I basically waxed them with turtle wax. I gave them a good polish with a micro fiber cloth as well. I used a Q-tip to get the wax out of the tight spots. For no more than I did, I think they turned out good. Some guys have paid big bucks to get a set of gauges looking this good!!
 
Looks awesome! I just took out my windshield (needs a new seal), so I decided to take my dash out today to refurb it. I might just have to do this to my cluster. Thanks for posting!
 
Well to be honest, I was nervous about taking the cluster apart. I thought they were high tech & all. They are really simple, basic electronics, so it was no biggie. If you can wire a car stereo, this will be a walk in the park! Just be sure to keep track of all the pieces. I had them scattered all over my work bench & when it came time to re-assemble, I had to hunt for a nut for 20 min.!!
 
Really nice!!! Good idea to ake a little break from fenderwells when you started to feel a little burned out. Id do the same thing except I KNOW that I would get too sidetracked and put off what I was originally working on. At least I know my limitations right? lol Great job , always feels good to refurbish something instead of spending the $ for new doesnt it?
 
The Cluster from your Duster looks awesome!!! Thanks for the tip I need to do that to my 68 Cuda this winter. Another project that I can do to add to my list.
 
A coat of floresent orange on the needles makes a world of difference in black face qauges. Rattle can might cost 8 bucks for just a whisper of paint but well worth it.
 
I am about done with my cluster resto, i used orange fingernail polish on needles $1.47 at wallyworld. my chrome was bad so i refinished with chrome paint not as shiny as chrome but it will do for daily driver . I am having a graphics shop recover the woodgrain will let you know how it turns out.
Bought white gauge kit from whitegauges looks real good.
if you want real chrome look use Alsa extreme chrome $$$$$ paint $125.00 for kit

Steve
 
Another thing you can do when you have the cluster apart is to use Plast-x or some other plastic polishing compound on the clear "glass" windows. This will eliminate or minimize all the scratches caused by years of wiping the dust around with a cleaning rag. It helps remove cloudiness too.

P.S. I also did all my arm rest bases and interior plastic with Plast-x. They really brighten up and look much nicer.
 
Thanks alot guys! I am pleased with how they turned out. Im going to attempt to get back to work on the floorpans/ fenderwells now tho....:angry7:
 
Nice job. What did you pay for the nos bezel? As for the needles, i've always used some testors model paint, it works well for me. If you don't have the proper plastic polish, try using some toothpaste on the lenses. You would be amazed at the results, i've done this quite a few times and it works great! Just scrub like hell with some water and an old toothbrush and it will work. Just my .002 cents. Tom.:evil4:
 
Dartnut said:
Nice job. What did you pay for the nos bezel?
Click to expand...

$214.00 :angry7:

The wifey helped me get it as my birthday gift. A crummy looking bezel is a pet peeve of mine & as far as im concerend its worth every penny!!

I have a few other bezels & im going to try my hand at restoring them. Dont know if it will work or not, but im going to try.
 
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