I want silver gauge surrounds

[madfads]

I have a 94 Chimmy with all plastic bits on the dash. I can buy all the alloy parts from levin but the one thing I cant get is alloy surrounds for the gauges...I am thinking of plastikote and spraying them with that....but it may not look that great. Does anybody have any suggestions that wont cost the earth?

[tweety]

You can strip the paint off the existing surrounds and polish, looks great when done and costs next to nothing.

Cheers, Al.

[UIL9794]

Hi,

This is something i've also wanted, the alloy dial rims. A few people have said to polish the original ones with a dremmel or similar. But has anybody really got and experience of doing this and do they actually look good when finished? Any pic's anyone?

Can the blower direction controls also be done with good results? The two vauxhall disc one above the other.

Cheers

Happy New Year

Lee

[thornogson]

Alan Couldwell in Doncaster has done his, he may be watching and perhaps have some pics. I believe he said it was an easy job to do.

[curryaddict]

Yep ,polishing does work. Did mine a few months back just by sanding,wire wool then a smear of clear laquer.

[UIL9794]

Curryadict?

Can the dial rims be unscrewed from the front without taking the dash panel out - or is that a little optemistic?

Cheers

Lee

[jigs]

Fraid not - you'll have to remove the dash and then release the instruments from the rear by unscrewing the retaining U clamps. You'll only be able to do a 'professional' job with the dash dismantled.

[curryaddict]

Fraid so,allow about a week crawling around in the drivers footwell to remove the last dash bolt, after that its straight forward! DO NOT pull the fresh air hose away from under dash like I did.......2 months later and I've still got cold air blowing on my feet as I can't find where it came from. Anyone out there had to refit this hose ?

[cosmoschick]

jigs said:

Fraid not - you'll have to remove the dash and then release the instruments from the rear by unscrewing the retaining U clamps.

Ah! That's why my pulling skills weren't up to scratch...poor Trev, no wonder he looked dismayed with my heavy-handed efforts!! Anyway, I can lovingly polish his dial rims instead...

What lacquer should one use as a finishing product and where can you get it from, please?

[mustard]

cosmoschick said:

jigs said: Fraid not - you'll have to remove the dash and then release the instruments from the rear by unscrewing the retaining U clamps. Ah! That's why my pulling skills weren't up to scratch...poor Trev, no wonder he looked dismayed with my heavy-handed efforts!! Anyway, I can lovingly polish his dial rims instead...

would have thought a talented girl like you would'nt get her pullin and pushin mixed up

[madfads]

It all sounds like very hard work, what are the dial rims made of anyway? how long would if take to complete the job?

[tweety]

As said before, use paint stripper on the dial rims, no need to remove them, just use masking tape around the edges then polish with Autosol. The air/heat wheels are anodised and can't be stripped, but replacement ones are available in silver from your friendly dealer at a reasonable cost, then dashtop off and one bolt to change them, oh and make sure the factory put the LEDs in when you order. Pic on link in my profile, page 2, or if Big Al can assist maybe below at some point.

Happy New Year, Al.



Now that looks the Biz. OH

Happy New year to you as well AL.

>> Edited by Big Al. on Thursday 1st January 23:44

[Big Al.]

Is that a standard wheel Al, if so who's?

[tweety]

Cheers Big Al, you'll have to teach me these grown-up tricks one day. The wheel is a Personal one and the centre wood-effect bit could be removed to leave polished spokes.

Happy New Year mate, Al.