Gauge Cluster Chrome - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rcazwillis · 12-02-2018, 08:20 PM

The chrome on Zane's gauge cluster is badly faded. After researching here and on the web, decided to wrap it with chrome wrap. Turned out better than I expected. The wrap was easy to work. Had to learn to stretch it to get the wrinkles out.

Painted the gauge needles with Tester fluorescent orange. Another good tip from the forum.

Still may paint the black.

External · 12-02-2018, 09:54 PM

Chrome wrap?? Like what they use on the outside of cars?? Where did you get the stuff?

**dmjlambert** · 12-03-2018, 01:07 AM

How do you do this? Any pictures to show or products to share?

rcazwillis · 12-03-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by External

Chrome wrap?? Like what they use on the outside of cars?? Where did you get the stuff?

Yes, same stuff used on car exterior.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072Q...op_mb_pd_title

davepl · 12-03-2018, 11:04 AM

Cool though I'd like to see some pics of the work and result!

rcazwillis · 12-03-2018, 02:12 PM

The top pic was the finished gauge, but does not show the wrap. I will get a better pic tonight.

rcazwillis · 12-03-2018, 10:06 PM

The finished product is good, not perfect. For $12, works well for me. Took some close up pictures.

To get a smooth finish on the corners, you have to stretch the material. It starts to lose it's shine if you stretch it too much. I cut a piece of material bigger than the entire gauge panel. Then stretched it over the sides. Once the wrinkles were stretched out, I trimmed it around the chrome edge to remove the center piece. On the back side, I just trimmed the excess off and did not worry about wrinkles.

For the gauge edges, I cut a 1" or so strip and worked it around the inside edge. The taper of the edge made the material want to not follow the inside perimeter. This required stretching the material as it is applied. There is a seam doing it this way. May be able to cut a circle out and stretch the inside to fit. This may require stretching it more than it is intended.

If I was doing it again, I would cut a 2" or so wide strip long enough to wrap around the outer perimeter. Then work it around like tape.

Edit: Just noticed the numbers 717 written on the back of the piece. That is not something I wrote. Must have been on their when built.

**special-K** · 12-04-2018, 08:53 AM

I knew they made product for car modeling, but that stock is small. This looks great as far as looking chrome... looking like original. Got a picture straight on of the whole thing? Were you able to do the outer edge in one piece? So it shrinks and stretches for compound curves?

rcazwillis · 12-04-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I knew they made product for car modeling, but that stock is small. This looks great as far as looking chrome... looking like original. Got a picture straight on of the whole thing? Were you able to do the outer edge in one piece? So it shrinks and stretches for compound curves?

Not sure how to shrink, probably heat applied properly. Stretch was easy and covered the outer corners well.

El Dorado Jim · 12-04-2018, 08:30 PM

looks great

External · 12-05-2018, 02:30 PM

Wow!!! Thanks for the up close pictures and the know how!!

72bowtiestepper · 12-08-2018, 04:15 PM

Looks Good ! I like cheap improvements that I can do myself...Thanks for posting !

12-02-2018, 08:20 PM	#1
rcazwillis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 309	Gauge Cluster Chrome The chrome on Zane's gauge cluster is badly faded. After researching here and on the web, decided to wrap it with chrome wrap. Turned out better than I expected. The wrap was easy to work. Had to learn to stretch it to get the wrinkles out. Painted the gauge needles with Tester fluorescent orange. Another good tip from the forum. Still may paint the black. Attached Images __________________ Zane's 71 Build

12-02-2018, 09:54 PM	#2
External Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Louisiana Posts: 185	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome Chrome wrap?? Like what they use on the outside of cars?? Where did you get the stuff? __________________ '72 Chevy Custom Deluxe Highlander. Med Olive/White 350/200 ps,pb and Air Conditioning!

12-03-2018, 01:07 AM	#3
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,859	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome How do you do this? Any pictures to show or products to share?

12-03-2018, 11:04 AM	#5
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome Cool though I'd like to see some pics of the work and result! __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

12-03-2018, 02:12 PM	#6
rcazwillis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 309	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome The top pic was the finished gauge, but does not show the wrap. I will get a better pic tonight. __________________ Zane's 71 Build

12-03-2018, 10:06 PM	#7
rcazwillis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 309	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome The finished product is good, not perfect. For $12, works well for me. Took some close up pictures. To get a smooth finish on the corners, you have to stretch the material. It starts to lose it's shine if you stretch it too much. I cut a piece of material bigger than the entire gauge panel. Then stretched it over the sides. Once the wrinkles were stretched out, I trimmed it around the chrome edge to remove the center piece. On the back side, I just trimmed the excess off and did not worry about wrinkles. For the gauge edges, I cut a 1" or so strip and worked it around the inside edge. The taper of the edge made the material want to not follow the inside perimeter. This required stretching the material as it is applied. There is a seam doing it this way. May be able to cut a circle out and stretch the inside to fit. This may require stretching it more than it is intended. If I was doing it again, I would cut a 2" or so wide strip long enough to wrap around the outer perimeter. Then work it around like tape. Edit: Just noticed the numbers 717 written on the back of the piece. That is not something I wrote. Must have been on their when built. Attached Images __________________ Zane's 71 Build

12-04-2018, 08:53 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome I knew they made product for car modeling, but that stock is small. This looks great as far as looking chrome... looking like original. Got a picture straight on of the whole thing? Were you able to do the outer edge in one piece? So it shrinks and stretches for compound curves? __________________ "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 ~

12-04-2018, 08:30 PM	#10
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome looks great

12-05-2018, 02:30 PM	#11
External Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Louisiana Posts: 185	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome Wow!!! Thanks for the up close pictures and the know how!! __________________ '72 Chevy Custom Deluxe Highlander. Med Olive/White 350/200 ps,pb and Air Conditioning!

12-08-2018, 04:15 PM	#12
72bowtiestepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 684	Re: Gauge Cluster Chrome Looks Good ! I like cheap improvements that I can do myself...Thanks for posting !

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