Restoring Aluminum Bezel?

[Shugalou]

Has anyone successfully restored an aluminum gauge bezel? I picked one up yesterday for a good price (35 bucks) but there are some scratches in it and I was wondering if they could be wet sanded out.

Thanks guys

[Pontiac1976]

I guess you taking about the Satin Alloy trim on a 78 Bezel right. It depends how it looks, if it yellowed, most easy to fix. The gouges harder if more then 1-1.5mm deep. Light scratches 1-1.5mm any thing deeper start getting hard. I would not try any thing deeper then 2mm. That been said I would sand with 2000 grit or higher, wet and dry you have to judge course you may need. You will have to see if the it looks like it may be biting to much sand to the longest sides (left and right) most of the time un less you can't. Most of the finish alloy has a fine etching on them. You may have to make small finger bocks help sand make a better job. I have not worked on the any 78 alloy Bezel yet but have worked on 2/84 fake alloy super thin plate painted plastic I came out not bad one not as good because gouges were more then 2 mm deep. I hope this helps you.

[Shugalou]

Ok great I was thinking of trying the wetsand and see what sort of results I get. I’m not expecting miracles I just want avoid making it worse.

Thanks for the input
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[Pontiac1976]

As a start goes as high grit# to start see if on back if you to course first.

[Shugalou]

Yeah that makes sense that’s what I was planning on doing.
Thanks
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[Shugalou]

So I tried out 2000 wet sand and it burned through the finish even though I was going light. I tried to lift the plating off with a heat gun but that didn't work out so well. Looks like I'm either going to get a replacement vaneer or a repo down the road. Mine current set up works but was looking to restore one as an upgrade. Oh well not this year ha. On a side note this aluminum overlays are ultra fine (cheap) and I think the only way to bring back the shine would be to mask everything off and paint it.

[Palf70Step]

Clean the aluminum with oven cleaner, that will get rid of the coating. Then do your wet sanding and polishing. Once you got it smooth again and polished, then you can clear coat it so it will last. That is how I did the grill and side trim on my older trucks.

[Shugalou]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Clean the aluminum with oven cleaner, that will get rid of the coating. Then do your wet sanding and polishing. Once you got it smooth again and polished, then you can clear coat it so it will last. That is how I did the grill and side trim on my older trucks.

Too late I already screwed it up before I could try that approach. Thanks for sharing the info though. I’ll keep it in mind for the future
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[Factory Guy]

I did a 1967 Mustang years ago. I used, very fine steel wool on it to get rid of all the yellowing.

[Shugalou]

Nice would the steel wool be finer that 2000?

[Pontiac1976]

If you where to try steel wool try triple ooo try it lightly on back of your passenger dash plaque should be the same just be very careful taking it off use lube. Then try grit type steel wool see how they work.

[Shugalou]

Thanks Pontiac, but I've already screwed it up and than removed it. I'm thinking I'll get a new plate to stick over top. There is a vendor close to me (Bills trucks) that sells the aluminum sticker for $120. I just gotta clean off all the glue residue - repaint before I decide to buy it.

[Pontiac1976]

Sorry here that. I know place he should be able to get something for you. Good luck.

[Shugalou]

I was able to salvage it. I removed all the glue residue with rubbing alcohol and repainted it and it looks mint. I think I'll hold off on the aluminum insert for now and put that towards a vintage radio so I can complete the bezel with the round knobs.

[Pontiac1976]

Well that good for now get your truck along so more. But if you keep the old Aluminum Bezel if it really no good, keep it for a testing piece for getting better at trying to sand putting light etch to the finish. Do show your nice work after you finished

[Shugalou]

This is how it turned out after a few coats of paint.

[Pontiac1976]

Looks pretty good

[Shugalou]

It'll do - it's better than what's in there.

[Pontiac1976]

Keep up the good work. If you want a of a up you can circle edging in silver or white, you may want silver or chrome on the inner race of the gauges on the bezel or none at all.

[Shugalou]

Yeah I had thought about doing that but I don't think it will turn out to sharp with a spray can and trying to mask it off. I checked LMC to see if there are inserts that are chrome or trim rings but I didn't find anything.

[Pontiac1976]

Try paint pen they have then on line amazon. or you can try a canada.michaels.com paints and arts section paint pens paints and

[Shugalou]

Not a bad idea at all. I might have to look into that. Great suggestion

[Nick_R_23]

I did my bezel with a Silver Sharpie. You can see the before and after in the ‘78 build thread. It works really well on the classic gauge clusters.

[Shugalou]

Right on Nick another good option. This is definitely something I'm gonna do

[Shugalou]

Nick I looked in the 78 post and must have missed it. i was too busy being impressed with your other work. I'm gonna grab a beer now and read your LS swap post.