68 GT convertible project
I wasn't happy with how the gauge cluster turned out. The gloss vinyl overlays didn't stick very well to the raised sections of the cluster. The worst part was the large upper panel. I ended up machining off all the letters/numbers from that upper panel so I could install new vinyl on a flat surface.
Here the letters/numbers have been machined off and I spread some filler over the area to hide the machining marks.
I sprayed the panel with flat white paint.
Here is the new overlay installed. I went with a matte vinyl this time. I also had the wording changed a little to reflect the custom oil gauge I installed. The "OIL" wording was moved over to where the "ALT" wording used to be. Then I had "WARNING" placed over the idiot light.
Here is the gauge cluster finished again. Everything is now matte white instead of gloss. There are imperfections over the raised sections but the matte material hides them a lot better then the gloss material. I really should have machined off the raised sections from every single piece. I also ground off the "D" and "C" from the amp gauge face and smoothed it out. Then I had a "0" and a "100" put in their place for the oil gauge.
Finally, I bought new bulb holders and some LEDs for the dash. I hooked up the dash lights to battery power and took a picture. They aren't as bright in person as they look in the picture. They should look a little dimmer once the dash bezel is installed too.
I wasn't happy with how the gauge cluster turned out. The gloss vinyl overlays didn't stick very well to the raised sections of the cluster. The worst part was the large upper panel. I ended up machining off all the letters/numbers from that upper panel so I could install new vinyl on a flat surface.
Here the letters/numbers have been machined off and I spread some filler over the area to hide the machining marks.
I sprayed the panel with flat white paint.
Here is the new overlay installed. I went with a matte vinyl this time. I also had the wording changed a little to reflect the custom oil gauge I installed. The "OIL" wording was moved over to where the "ALT" wording used to be. Then I had "WARNING" placed over the idiot light.
Here is the gauge cluster finished again. Everything is now matte white instead of gloss. There are imperfections over the raised sections but the matte material hides them a lot better then the gloss material. I really should have machined off the raised sections from every single piece. I also ground off the "D" and "C" from the amp gauge face and smoothed it out. Then I had a "0" and a "100" put in their place for the oil gauge.
Finally, I bought new bulb holders and some LEDs for the dash. I hooked up the dash lights to battery power and took a picture. They aren't as bright in person as they look in the picture. They should look a little dimmer once the dash bezel is installed too.
