Cheap Instrument Panel Redux....Long!

[Ben Dover]

I just got done rebuilding the instrument panel on my ’82 K30, and figured I’d pass along some info.

Things you will need~
1 can of Chrome paint from Wal-Mart
1 package of 0000 (super-fine) steel wool, also from Wal-Mart
1 tube Meguiar’s “Scratch X”, Wal-Mart again
1 “Scratch Fix 2 in 1” Roller ball and brush touch up tube, # GM (of course) NG-GM-340, Wally World
Some emery cloth (super fine)
A Sharpie marker
Nut drivers
Misc. hand tools.

1) Remove the bezel, clear gauge cover, black cover and loosen the instrument panel. Reach around back and disconnect the wiring clip and speedometer cable. Remove the instrument panel, put it on the bench, and grab a cool, refreshing beverage.
2) Remove the indicator colored films and gaskets. Flip the instrument panel over and mark the gauge clips and bulb locations with a marker.
3) Twist the bulb holders ¼ turn to the left and remove. Carefully push the gauge clips out from the front with a screwdriver and remove. Remove the flexible circuit board and set it aside.
4) Set the circuit board back side up on a hard surface. Working with the direction of the “wires”, clean each bulb contact point with steel wool, making sure not to peel up the copper. Clean the contact points for the gauge clips, and clean the 16 (I think) tabs where the wiring clip attaches.
5) Remove the 12 bulbs from their sockets and clean the copper contacts on the sockets with emery cloth. Now is a good time to replace the bulbs if you want. 12 bulbs = 12 bucks. I figger it’s worth it. Clean the instrument clips and bend the tabs a little for better contact with the circuit board.
6) Clean the empty instrument panel and the black cover and let them dry.
7) Mask the outside of the black cover (the black side), making SURE to cover the edges. I didn’t, and had to sandblast everything and start over. Spray the inside of the instrument cluster and backside of the black cover with the chrome paint. MANY kudos’ to the people on this board for the excellent info on this!
8) When it’s dry, reinstall the circuit board to the instrument cluster along with the bulbs and gauge clips. Take it out to your truck and make sure all the bulbs work. If not, give the sockets a little twist and/or check the bulbs. Check that the gauges still function. Reset all the gauges to zero.
9) Re-connect the speedometer cable and install the instrument panel. Dust and install the gauges and black cover, chrome side in.
10) Get a clean rag and buff the clear gauge cover panel with the Meguiars Scratch X. This stuff does wonders! Except for the heavy scratches, everything comes out nice and clear. Install the clear gauge cover.
11) You can drive the truck now if you need to!
12) Ah, the bezel. If you have A/C, remove the vent assemblies and throw them in the dishwasher, checking with the wife first! DON’T let them go thru the “dry” cycle! Clean the bezel with Windex and let it dry.
13) The fun part. Using the Scratch Fix brush, CAREFULLY paint the edges of the gauge surrounds, heater control surrounds etc. Let it dry.
14) The new “Scratch Fix 2 in 1” also has a roller ball that works well if you go slow! Use it to highlight the recessed edge inside the gauge surrounds.
15) Fish your A/C vents out of the dishwasher and take them apart. The chrome part just flips off with a little pressure. Lube the metal strap and all the vent fins with some PB Blaster or something like it. Rough up the chrome covers and shoot them with the chrome paint. Let ‘em dry and re-assemble.
16) Clean up any extra silver or chrome paint with a razor blade and re-assemble the bezel.
17) Re-attach the bezel into your dash and take the “mandatory” test drive. Ain’t them gauges bright and purty?!?

Time? A couple of hours not counting drying time. Cash? Maybe 15 bucks. The result? Priceless!

I’m sure I forgot something, but this will at least get you in the right direction. Now if I could figure out how to clean up the aluminum bezel plate….……

Ben
P.S. Sorry no pics, I just got a new camera yesterday for my birthday!

[Palf70Step]

Yup...getting ready to do the same thing on the 82. The great stuff we can do with a Wally world spray can. Did you repait your gauge needles while you were in there??