A/C Control Panel Lens Help Needed

[es67chevy]

I'm trying to find an A/C Control Panel lens that does not have the lettering engraved in it. Does anyone know who sells them? Basically, if it comes from Trim Parts or is drop shipped from Trim Parts, it will be engraved. I need the one that just has the letters painted on it. That way, I can polish them off. I have white face gauges with black letters. It defeats the purpose if the letters on the lens are white. So far, I have not been successful in locating the ones without the indented lettering. I even contacted Trim Parts and they said theirs are stamped with the lettering indented into it so they were unable to help me. I know someone else makes them out there that are not engraved because I had one. Unfortunately, I was a little aggressive with the Dremel and I polished a little too deep on the first one. Oops.

Anyone know of any vendors out there that make them without the letter engraved into them? Heck, a bonus would be to find one without the letters painted on it at all. Plus, there has to be a market for these as the white face gauge kits seem to be semi-popular. FYI, you can buy the A/C control white gauge kits from whitegauges.net.

[cjohnson6772]

I used the front of a factory control unit to build a custom bracket to hold switches for an aftermarket a/c unit. I am getting a piece of acrylic cut and etched with new letterings to change which letters go where on the control face. Not sure if any of that made sense.

But essentially I am saying that if you are just wanting the lens without letters then just get a piece of clear acrylic cut. A local trophy shop is doing mine. They said to cut the acrylic and to etch it with whatever text I want would be like $5 or $10.

[es67chevy]

That's a good idea. I'll check into it tomorrow. I appreciate the tip!

[Fastfun]

I am planning on doing the same thing and I just looked at my original lens and it is silk screened. I purchased a new one about 5 years ago and just opened the package and it is also silk screened. The package says Old Air Products on it. What I will do is use 2000 grit wet or dry and sand off the silk screen and then buff all the scratches out.
Hope this helps

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Fastfun

I am planning on doing the same thing and I just looked at my original lens and it is silk screened. I purchased a new one about 5 years ago and just opened the package and it is also silk screened. The package says Old Air Products on it. What I will do is use 2000 grit wet or dry and sand off the silk screen and then buff all the scratches out.
Hope this helps

This does help. If the acrylic idea doesn't work or becomes too expensive, I'll check with Old Air. Thanks a bunch.

[cjohnson6772]

Did you have any luck? Just wondering what you were able to find out there.

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by cjohnson6772

Did you have any luck? Just wondering what you were able to find out there.

Hey there! Thanks for the follow up. No, I struck out at the local trophy shops here. They just didn't have the equipment to cut with such detail. The empty spaces where the controls stick through were the sticking point. I appreciate the idea though. If I strike out on Old Air, I may have to continue searching for a place that can maybe a little further away.

[es67chevy]

Strike 2 today. Old Air Products sells the whole control panel, but not the lens. Arghhhhh!!! I'm starting to think it's going to go back in without a lens.

[cjohnson6772]

Originally Posted by es67chevy

Hey there! Thanks for the follow up. No, I struck out at the local trophy shops here. They just didn't have the equipment to cut with such detail. The empty spaces where the controls stick through were the sticking point. I appreciate the idea though. If I strike out on Old Air, I may have to continue searching for a place that can maybe a little further away.

All you want is just the stock clear piece, but with no letters? Interested in the contact info for the place in NC? Shipping would be cheap for a piece so small. I am not going to home for a week since I'm in college but if I can help I will certainly try. PM me if you need anything. I know this isn't the ideal option, but if you have to have it and can't find it anywhere else....

[Fastfun]

Originally Posted by es67chevy

Strike 2 today. Old Air Products sells the whole control panel, but not the lens. Arghhhhh!!! I'm starting to think it's going to go back in without a lens.

I have an old stock lens that isn't to bad. I will sand and buff it this weekend if it turns out good I will give it to you. All you have to do is pay postage.

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by cjohnson6772

All you want is just the stock clear piece, but with no letters? Interested in the contact info for the place in NC? Shipping would be cheap for a piece so small. I am not going to home for a week since I'm in college but if I can help I will certainly try. PM me if you need anything. I know this isn't the ideal option, but if you have to have it and can't find it anywhere else....

I really appreciate it. I will be interested if nothing pans out prior to then. Thanks a bunch!

Originally Posted by Fastfun

I have an old stock lens that isn't to bad. I will sand and buff it this weekend if it turns out good I will give it to you. All you have to do is pay postage.

That is awesome. Let me know. Ironically, I will be in Phoenix/Scottsdale starting next Tuesday for a week. Going to Barrett-Jackson on Saturday. Maybe we could even meet?!


I love this board. I know somehow I'll be able to get this figured out.

[Fastfun]

Originally Posted by es67chevy

I really appreciate it. I will be interested if nothing pans out prior to then. Thanks a bunch!



That is awesome. Let me know. Ironically, I will be in Phoenix/Scottsdale starting next Tuesday for a week. Going to Barrett-Jackson on Saturday. Maybe we could even meet?!


I love this board. I know somehow I'll be able to get this figured out.

I will be there everyday. I live 10 minutes from West World so yes we can meet. I will buff the lens this weekend for you.

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Fastfun

I will be there everyday. I live 10 minutes from West World so yes we can meet. I will buff the lens this weekend for you.

That would be great! Just let me know how it goes. I do really appreciate it.

[es67chevy]

A big thanks to Andy (Fastfun)!!! I appreciate you taking your time to sand and buff the lens you gave me. It came out looking great!

Thanks to cjohnson6772 as well for your help!

[Fastfun]

That did turn out nice. I am glad I was able to help and to meet you.