clean the lenses

[Tadams]

I have a new bezel for my 65 barracuda, but didn't think about the lenses. How do I clean this to make it look better

 

[Tadams]

Sorry its upside down

 

[g413]

I'm don't think you can clean up 50-year-old plastic lenses that have yellowed.
Classic Industries shows the complete instrument cluster which I believe comes with lenses, but I'm not sure - you would need to ask.

1965 All Makes All Models Parts | MA2479 | 1965 Barracuda / Valiant (usa Models) Instrument Cluster Bezel | Classic Industries

If the lenses are in the new cluster, then somebody makes them. But you may not be able to buy them individually. Maybe Google can help out.

 

[Tadams]

The one I purchased didn't come with the lenses, I thought they would,

 

[ScampMike]

I wonder if toothpaste would work on those like it does on newer headlights..

 

[g413]

The one I purchased didn't come with the lenses, I thought they would,

That is pretty misleading in the picture in the catalog, because they specifically show the center ring, which can only come with the lense. However, the description does not say, "lenses included."

Is there a chance in a million that they still used the same lense in the 67 rally cluster? These have been reproduced, but for a ridiculously high price. For a 67, I measure the inner diameter of the black ring at 2-3/4".

 

[slantsixdan]

Headlamps are hardcoated polycarbonate—not acrylic like the instrument cluster lenses. Toothpaste is much too abrasive for uncoated acrylic. This is the 2-stage kit you need.

 

[ScampMike]

Headlamps are hardcoated polycarbonate—not acrylic like the instrument cluster lenses. Toothpaste is much too abrasive for uncoated acrylic. This is the 2-stage kit you need.

eh - just tossing it out, seeing if it sticks

 

[g413]

For what's worth, I saw this in a Web article on "How to Restore Your Mopar Dash."

"The Plastic Lens Covers Are Replaced Or Wet Sanded To Remove Scratches, Then Buffed With Meguiar's PlastX And A Mothers Power Cone."

 

[6pk2goDemon]

The tach(?) lens on the left side of your dash looks pretty good from here. I wonder if the other lenses are just dusty/dirty. Maybe a diluted solution of simple green using a microfiber towel will help clean them up.

Sorry its upside down

Not anymore. Fixed it for you...

 

[Tadams]

Thanks for your input. I'll look at it again tomorrow. The lens in the tach is a different material from the bezel. I guess that's why it has held up better.

 

[GeorgeH]

The Plastic Lens Covers Are Replaced Or Wet Sanded To Remove Scratches, Then Buffed With Meguiar's PlastX And A Mothers Power Cone.

I have done this to headlights, cluster lenses, Harley windscreens. I know not everybody has a 3 inch mini buffer, but it really makes the job easy just don't overheat it. I've never bought headlight/plastic specific polishes as I normally have different grits and grades of compounds and polishes around. I have found with cluster lenses, which are softer as stated above, microfiber can leave swirls so I use a cut up cotton t-shirt with no seams. I would only wet sand if it had a gouge in it.

 

[Tadams]

Thanks for the info on using a cotton tee shirt.

 

[pishta]

I have scratched stuff with microfiber cloth Do not use windex, I think the isopropanol in it crazes the plastic.

1965 All Makes All Models Parts | MA2479 | 1965 Barracuda / Valiant (usa Models) Instrument Cluster Bezel | Classic Industries
This one sure looks like it has lenses in it. for $229, it better.

 

[4spdragtop]

I used the 3M headlight resto kit. Worked great.
Im assuming you are going to remove lenses to do this?
Not sure how lens is attached in 65 to bezel but in my 67 and 9 bezels, they are plastic "staked" to the back. VERY easily broken.
Check out cosgigs thread "Rani Im calling you out" about diy dash resto.
Be careful, take yer time and for $50 and a lot of patience you will have a very nice bezel.

 

[Back in Time]

Why not cut some replacements out of new plexi-glass..That's what I did on my 64 Dart.Refinished my bezels on the 65 Dart GT

 

[slantsixdan]

Plexiglas works for flat lenses. The lenses on the subject dash cluster aren't flat.

 

[Back in Time]

Plexiglas works for flat lenses. The lenses on the subject dash cluster aren't flat.

Missed that

 

[Tooljunkie]

I used a product called gel-gloss, it is used in the marine industry. Cleans up cluster lenses nicely.

 

[Nigel Hely]

I have a new bezel for my 65 barracuda, but didn't think about the lenses. How do I clean this to make it look better

View attachment 1715073526

Dismantle it and polish both sides (inside and outside) using Brasso and a soft cloth.

 

[Tadams]

I was misled when I purchased the new bezel. Was told the lens and center piece all came with it. Paid 225 and now I have to make it work

 

[clifcuda65]

I was misled when I purchased the new bezel. Was told the lens and center piece all came with it. Paid 225 and now I have to make it work

That's Just so Wrong !!! They are suppose to come with the Lens...

 

[Tadams]

Stupid for dealing on eBay. I did receive half of the money back thanks to pay pal. I'll make it work some way

 

[BillGrissom]

Hard to tell in the photo. If damage is just on the surface, you can polish it away. If those apparent voids are in the body of the plastic, no polishing will fix it. On my 64 & 65, I used a plastic polishing kit I bought decades ago (J.C. Whitney?). It has two bottles, one more abrasive than the other though both are very fine and less gritty than standard "rubbing compound". But, both clusters had fairly clear lenses already so I was just perfecting them. I tried the polishing kit on the foggy plastic headlamps of our 2002 T&C, but it didn't help, so I am guessing that common headlamp polishing kits might be too abrasive for this task (or maybe they don't really work). For those headlamps I used 1000 then 2000 grit wet sandpaper which worked better though I eventually just bought new headlamp housings since fairly cheap.

 

[Ironracer]

The one I purchased didn't come with the lenses, I thought they would,

Not disagreeing with you that's just kind of pissy, you'd buy all that they can't throw in some plastic nice new clear lenses... Grrrr