Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Aluminumized gauge bezel

Did this while I was bored:



Some pics later with it in the car.

Chris, I want a detailed how-to. When I did my lighted SVT mod to the gauges I was also trying to make a aluminum bezel cover but failed. How did you get the plastic shield apart from the casing.. By the way, I think it looks sweet. You have way too much time on your hands, it must be nice!

Hey.
Chris, post the how-to ASAP. It would look so nice with my upcoming Indiglo gauges.
It also seems that your vocation gives you a lot of free time. Reminds me of my job...
Thanks in advance!!!

Looks good. But when it comes to taking dash parts apart, the rattle gremlins get me everytime.

PS Is this the famous freak thumb we see in the pic?

That one is actually my big toe... j/k

As far as the rattles, I am waiting to get the car running to hear if there are any rattles. Alternator is dead.

How did you do that chris???? I was playing around with my dash one day and took off the speedometer part and wasn't able to get that plastic off. Does it take a little to get at it or do you need to pry something off to get at it?? And one more question about your inglo dash. I was wondering if i was to take the bulbs off and dip them in some glass paint would the color make the dash look different at all??

Here's a How-To:


The best way to separate the clear from the black part, is use a Dremel in the stuck spots. Very lightly using a heat gun works in some areas, but you'll probably have to grind in other areas. Before you do anything else, go all the way around the seam, and clean all that black plastic that squeezed out in the melding process. That makes the plastic easier to get apart. Patience is the key to doing stuff like this. Otherwise you end up with some nice cracks. (same thing with my headlight mod! )

Once you get it apart, make sure you mask the inside edges around the bezel real good. If you are using metallic flake paint, make sure you are working in an area that is well lit. That stuff can play tricks on you and it looks like you missed a few spots. The flakes hide the light a little, so it makes it look black at odd angles.

When you are done and ready to put it back together, I used black silicone to absorb any vibration/rattles that might come. Epoxy would make it too stiff and risk rattles and squeaks.


Good Luck!

Hey Chris what about the light bulbs i was thinking of dipping them in some paint or something. I was reading a forum on an impreza site and they did the same thing and dipped it in some paint.

That's one idea that might work on other cars. When changing the color of the bulbs, you need to realize that the gauge faces are made to work with white light. Changing that light to blue or red will cause everything to look different. Nothing is wrong with experimenting with it. I think someone mentioned fingernail polish. The clear kind. (make sure you don't get the fast dry kind, it's brittle after it dries)

Go for it, and take some pics!

I have a bunch of extra gauge lights now that I have Indiglo. Let me know if anybody needs any.

Looks good...

This is exactly something I wanted to do!!!

Post some pics once its back in! Did you just use silver paint or the metalized super shiny silver (is that what the flaked stuff is all about?)

thanks,