Longhormmail...refinishing the gauge cluster? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stllookn · 12-18-2002, 12:04 PM

Andy, I know you have done this and have seen some of your work posted. I just took mine apart last night and it has rust on the black gauge faces. How do you fix this? Those black faces are rivetted on so do you remove them and repaint or what do you do? I have heard you say that you repaint the needles with Testors model paint...cool and looks pretty easy...how about those rusty black dishes though? Hours with the Dremel tool?

chevy2racr · 12-18-2002, 07:10 PM

mine didn't have any rust but I painted my stuff up. I woud just sand down the rust a little and see how well it looks. the speedo face shoul unscrew I thought, mine all have, the fuel gauge is riveted yes, I took it off the rest of the dash and put a paper towel in between the back and teh red plasticfor the choke and brake lights.

stllookn · 12-18-2002, 09:45 PM

I tried using the Dremel and mini wire wheel and it flings dust everywhere. I will try to touch up with paint but there is lots to do. I may have to check my other dash cluster to see how bad it is. Maybe I can switch them.

Longhorn Man · 12-18-2002, 10:45 PM

If you need a fuel guage...I can hook you up. I just found one today in my tool box. It has no rust, but desperatly needs paint. Looks like a can of black paint exploded right beside it.
I never had to sand any of mine at all. I think I would replace them if rusted.

jhow66 · 12-18-2002, 11:00 PM

Krylon Fluorescent Orange is almost a perfect match. Here is how mine looked after repainting the needles:

*Piston* · 12-18-2002, 11:26 PM

What other gauges do you need? I've got a couple of extra sets laying around. Name it, I'll ship it (except a tach! lol)

Longhorn Man · 12-18-2002, 11:38 PM

I redid these guages with testors red...

A little clearcoat on the bezel helped alot. Here's what it looked like day one in PA;

I think if I were to do it again though, I'd just stick with the chevy orange engine paint and spray it on like I did the first time on the GMC.

Jwill41 · 12-19-2002, 09:27 AM

I did mine with the Krylon Fluorescent Orange. looks good.

Mountain Man · 12-19-2002, 04:29 PM

Did mine with Krylon Flourescent paint as well. Used silver for the back ground. Copied this idea from Longhornmail

70c10 · 12-19-2002, 04:45 PM

Is that Krylon spray or brush?

jhow66 · 12-19-2002, 04:46 PM

Spray can.

70c10 · 12-19-2002, 04:51 PM

Thanks!

jmil1974 · 12-19-2002, 06:01 PM

Dammit, you guys are making me consider taking my dash apart. :p

red71cheyenne · 12-19-2002, 07:03 PM

Mike, I have 3 clusters sitting around right now. None have any rust. Let me know if you need anything. Jeff.

3damnboyz · 12-19-2002, 07:13 PM

i want to find a factory looking vaccum gauge to go in the empty hole, i am putting mine together and would like to find one. if anyone knows where i can find one i would be mighty thankful.

chevy2racr · 12-19-2002, 11:05 PM

look for heavier trucks(over c-30) some have vac gauge dashes

PICKMUP · 12-20-2002, 12:07 AM

The new repros really look good because they are clean & fresh. Some of the old stuff looks so nasty after 30 years. You can get the repros in a kit:lens, gauge, & those 2 inside trays that are specially stamped for the gauge to show through...or you can just buy the gauge, if you already have the vac lens & trays.

**Desert Rat** · 12-20-2002, 08:57 AM

I normally sell Vac gauge clusters for $75 or sometimes more on ebay had one hit $130 once.

12-18-2002, 12:04 PM	#1
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Longhormmail...refinishing the gauge cluster? Andy, I know you have done this and have seen some of your work posted. I just took mine apart last night and it has rust on the black gauge faces. How do you fix this? Those black faces are rivetted on so do you remove them and repaint or what do you do? I have heard you say that you repaint the needles with Testors model paint...cool and looks pretty easy...how about those rusty black dishes though? Hours with the Dremel tool? __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

12-18-2002, 07:10 PM	#2
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	mine didn't have any rust but I painted my stuff up. I woud just sand down the rust a little and see how well it looks. the speedo face shoul unscrew I thought, mine all have, the fuel gauge is riveted yes, I took it off the rest of the dash and put a paper towel in between the back and teh red plasticfor the choke and brake lights. __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

12-18-2002, 09:45 PM	#3
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I tried using the Dremel and mini wire wheel and it flings dust everywhere. I will try to touch up with paint but there is lots to do. I may have to check my other dash cluster to see how bad it is. Maybe I can switch them. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

12-18-2002, 11:00 PM	#5
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	paint Krylon Fluorescent Orange is almost a perfect match. Here is how mine looked after repainting the needles: Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

12-19-2002, 09:27 AM	#8
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	I did mine with the Krylon Fluorescent Orange. looks good. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

12-18-2002, 10:45 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	If you need a fuel guage...I can hook you up. I just found one today in my tool box. It has no rust, but desperatly needs paint. Looks like a can of black paint exploded right beside it. I never had to sand any of mine at all. I think I would replace them if rusted.

12-18-2002, 11:26 PM	#6
Piston Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 2,300	What other gauges do you need? I've got a couple of extra sets laying around. Name it, I'll ship it (except a tach! lol)

12-18-2002, 11:38 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I redid these guages with testors red... A little clearcoat on the bezel helped alot. Here's what it looked like day one in PA; I think if I were to do it again though, I'd just stick with the chevy orange engine paint and spray it on like I did the first time on the GMC.

12-19-2002, 04:29 PM	#9
Mountain Man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 451	Did mine with Krylon Flourescent paint as well. Used silver for the back ground. Copied this idea from Longhornmail __________________ 72 C10 Cheyenne Super Full trim Factory tach dash A/C dash Factory tilt 350 / 350 power train - with Edelbrock components.

12-19-2002, 04:45 PM	#10
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Is that Krylon spray or brush? __________________ 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

12-19-2002, 04:46 PM	#11
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Spray can. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

12-19-2002, 04:51 PM	#12
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Thanks! __________________ 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

12-19-2002, 06:01 PM	#13
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Dammit, you guys are making me consider taking my dash apart. :p __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

12-19-2002, 07:03 PM	#14
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Mike, I have 3 clusters sitting around right now. None have any rust. Let me know if you need anything. Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

12-19-2002, 07:13 PM	#15
3damnboyz Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: east texas Posts: 42	i want to find a factory looking vaccum gauge to go in the empty hole, i am putting mine together and would like to find one. if anyone knows where i can find one i would be mighty thankful. __________________ 72 short wide 55 stepside- 2nd generation "come on honey, we need more old trucks to fix up for the boys to drive, they will be driving before ya know it!"



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12-19-2002, 11:05 PM	#16
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	look for heavier trucks(over c-30) some have vac gauge dashes __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

12-20-2002, 12:07 AM	#17
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,168	Vac gauge The new repros really look good because they are clean & fresh. Some of the old stuff looks so nasty after 30 years. You can get the repros in a kit:lens, gauge, & those 2 inside trays that are specially stamped for the gauge to show through...or you can just buy the gauge, if you already have the vac lens & trays. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

12-20-2002, 08:57 AM	#18
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	I normally sell Vac gauge clusters for $75 or sometimes more on ebay had one hit $130 once.

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