Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

VA72C10 · 03-22-2008, 09:19 AM

I like the factory panel, but not the texture. I would like to smooth the inside and leave the outer trim rings. THen i would paint the inside to match the truck. Any tips? Anyone done this before and have pictures? Will I have to use a special primer to aid in the paint adhesion? Any comments/ info/ pictures are welcomed!

Here's a chromed one from Athey's truck shop. I will leave the chrome on the outside and in the rings, but want the textured part in the middle gone and replaced with smooth paint. Thanks!

berencam · 03-22-2008, 09:42 AM

You would probably end up with a better product if you fabed one up from metal, if you have the tooling. It would probably look better, there are some out there that have that idea already tho.

VA72C10 · 03-22-2008, 09:44 AM

I really don't have any metal tooling. Plus, i'd rather keep the costs down and work with the factory bezel.

berencam · 03-22-2008, 10:01 AM

heres just one i found doing a quick search, its 190 with the gauges.

**tnblazerk5** · 03-22-2008, 10:14 AM

sumbody on here a while back fabed up a glovebox door to do kinda what you are talkin bout but i dont think the outer edges were chrome

cameeks · 03-22-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berencam

heres just one i found doing a quick search, its 190 with the gauges.

You have a link to that. The speedometer is worth more then that.

berencam · 03-22-2008, 12:43 PM

Guess i shoulda read the fine print "bezel only no gauges" was kinda misleading tho, the fine print was on a different page.

cameeks · 03-22-2008, 12:51 PM

Man I was going to jump all over that

Buy about 10 and resell the gauges and dashes separate

Longhorn Man · 03-22-2008, 01:45 PM

I would get the woodgrain overlay, paint it, then stick it on the bezel.

Draggn66 · 03-22-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

I would get the woodgrain overlay, paint it, then stick it on the bezel.

That's just what I did on my chrome glovebox door. Wanted it to match my bezel.

lowmaster · 03-22-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnblazerk5

sumbody on here a while back fabed up a glovebox door to do kinda what you are talkin bout but i dont think the outer edges were chrome

I did that too. Extra glove box door with VDO gauges. Alumn panel was cause it was 1991!!!

72gord · 03-22-2008, 04:01 PM

Here is the only picture I could get to upload. Wiped the benzel down with thinner and painted with 4-5 coats of single stage paint, didn't thin the paint much so it filled in alot of the texture of the benzel.

snaus32 · 03-22-2008, 04:19 PM

Could you powder coat them?

Longhorn Man · 03-22-2008, 11:22 PM

a plastic bezal would not hold up to the 400 degrees in the oven, so no.

rodstored-72 · 03-22-2008, 11:34 PM

don't they make a plastic filler that you could smear over the top & then just sand it smooth???

Eichorst69 · 03-22-2008, 11:37 PM

It would take time, but you could tape off the chrome and apply a thin layer of Evercoat glaze-it finishing putty to the texured part and sand it smooth.

But, I like Longhorn Man's idea better.

Rob

*Billla* · 03-22-2008, 11:45 PM

One approach might be to get rid of the chrome on the center (CAREFUL brushing of 409 should do it) and then using a plastic modeling filler. IMHO, too darn much work.

I guess you could also do a mold and create a fiberglass piece...also a lot of work.

I agree with the idea of a little matching texture on the glove box door

Mint68 · 03-23-2008, 12:42 AM

I think longhorn man's ideas would be the easiest, and turn out the best.

VA72C10 · 03-23-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

I would get the woodgrain overlay, paint it, then stick it on the bezel.

Thanks, that's a great idea.....anyone got a woodgrain overlay that's faded they want to sell...or just a really cheap place to get one? Thanks!

**special-K** · 03-23-2008, 04:36 AM

The woodgrain overlay is just mylar.You could probably get a piece from a sign company.

70c10 · 03-23-2008, 06:34 AM

Here's one I made a few years ago with a carbon fiber overlay.

LooseCannon · 03-23-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowmaster

I did that too. Extra glove box door with VDO gauges. Alumn panel was cause it was 1991!!!

Man I like the looks of that gauge panel... Anymore pictures?

VA72C10 · 03-23-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70c10

Here's one I made a few years ago with a carbon fiber overlay.

I like that A LOT! I still want to do mine the color of the truck in the center, but i really like how you integrated the tach? Do you have the part number on that tach (I would want the same one but in white) and want to integrate it into the dash like that. Thanks for any info you can provide on doing that!

**special-K** · 03-23-2008, 08:14 AM

Get yourself a piece of lexan or other plastic at Home Depot,or whatever.Then,cut it,dress,and paint.

Mint68 · 03-23-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70c10

Here's one I made a few years ago with a carbon fiber overlay.

Nice clock. I allways wondered why they would not have put one in if there was no vaccume guage.

03-22-2008, 09:19 AM	#1
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? I like the factory panel, but not the texture. I would like to smooth the inside and leave the outer trim rings. THen i would paint the inside to match the truck. Any tips? Anyone done this before and have pictures? Will I have to use a special primer to aid in the paint adhesion? Any comments/ info/ pictures are welcomed! Here's a chromed one from Athey's truck shop. I will leave the chrome on the outside and in the rings, but want the textured part in the middle gone and replaced with smooth paint. Thanks!

03-22-2008, 09:42 AM	#2
berencam Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: branson mo Posts: 933	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? You would probably end up with a better product if you fabed one up from metal, if you have the tooling. It would probably look better, there are some out there that have that idea already tho. __________________ 69 chevy c10 350 3 speed manual wood bed build thread here r.i.p. 70 c10 auto 350 build here

03-22-2008, 09:44 AM	#3
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? I really don't have any metal tooling. Plus, i'd rather keep the costs down and work with the factory bezel.

03-22-2008, 10:01 AM	#4
berencam Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: branson mo Posts: 933	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? heres just one i found doing a quick search, its 190 with the gauges. Attached Images __________________ 69 chevy c10 350 3 speed manual wood bed build thread here r.i.p. 70 c10 auto 350 build here

03-22-2008, 10:14 AM	#5
tnblazerk5 User #12137 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kingsport,upper east tenn Posts: 11,598	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? sumbody on here a while back fabed up a glovebox door to do kinda what you are talkin bout but i dont think the outer edges were chrome

03-22-2008, 12:43 PM	#7
berencam Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: branson mo Posts: 933	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? Guess i shoulda read the fine print "bezel only no gauges" was kinda misleading tho, the fine print was on a different page. __________________ 69 chevy c10 350 3 speed manual wood bed build thread here r.i.p. 70 c10 auto 350 build here

03-22-2008, 12:51 PM	#8
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? Man I was going to jump all over that Buy about 10 and resell the gauges and dashes separate __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

03-22-2008, 01:45 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? I would get the woodgrain overlay, paint it, then stick it on the bezel.

03-22-2008, 04:01 PM	#12
72gord Never enough time!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: sw Wisconsin Posts: 601	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? Here is the only picture I could get to upload. Wiped the benzel down with thinner and painted with 4-5 coats of single stage paint, didn't thin the paint much so it filled in alot of the texture of the benzel. Attached Images

03-22-2008, 04:19 PM	#13
snaus32 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mcgraw, ny Posts: 204	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? Could you powder coat them?

03-22-2008, 11:22 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? a plastic bezal would not hold up to the 400 degrees in the oven, so no.

03-22-2008, 11:34 PM	#15
rodstored-72 chevy truck fan Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298 Posts: 2,008	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? don't they make a plastic filler that you could smear over the top & then just sand it smooth???

03-22-2008, 11:37 PM	#16
Eichorst69 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 158	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? It would take time, but you could tape off the chrome and apply a thin layer of Evercoat glaze-it finishing putty to the texured part and sand it smooth. But, I like Longhorn Man's idea better. Rob

03-22-2008, 11:45 PM	#17
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,814	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? One approach might be to get rid of the chrome on the center (CAREFUL brushing of 409 should do it) and then using a plastic modeling filler. IMHO, too darn much work. I guess you could also do a mold and create a fiberglass piece...also a lot of work. I agree with the idea of a little matching texture on the glove box door

03-23-2008, 12:42 AM	#18
Mint68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nebraska Posts: 762	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? I think longhorn man's ideas would be the easiest, and turn out the best.



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03-23-2008, 04:36 AM	#20
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? The woodgrain overlay is just mylar.You could probably get a piece from a sign company. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-23-2008, 06:34 AM	#21
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? Here's one I made a few years ago with a carbon fiber overlay. Attached Images __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

03-23-2008, 08:14 AM	#24
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Anyone smoothed a factory gauge panel? Get yourself a piece of lexan or other plastic at Home Depot,or whatever.Then,cut it,dress,and paint. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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