C2 ? re instrument cluster and and steering column

[Larry Rosamond]

I am shipping out my instrument cluster for refurb and have a question about the paint finish on the steering column bezel which screws to the cluster. Wouldn't this bezel be the same semi-gloss finish as the steering column? Also, wouldn't it be normal for this bezel to be a slightly different sheen of semi-gloss than the cluster itself since the steering column would have gone in as a separate assb'y?

TIA and regards, Larry

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 ? re instrument cluster and and steering co

For 1963 the column is the color of the dash. All other years the column is black. The bezel should be black in all cases. The black should have almost a semi gloss sheen.

[James W.]

Re: C2 ? re instrument cluster and and steering co

Larry,

You did not specify what year of car that you have, but the 1963/1964 Judging Manual reads as follows.

Section 6 Instuments
Page 30
Cluster Housing
"The instrument cluster housing is a metal casting with a grained semi-gloss black background with accented edges around the upper curved portion around each gauge."

Section 9 Steering
Page 36
Steering Column
"The steering colum passes through the lower center of the driver's instrument cluster. A slot is provided in the cluster. The column is attached to the cluster by a painted semi-gloss plastic bezel/support plate."

1964 - "The steering wheel hub, directional housing and the entire steering column are painted low-gloss black."

I would think that the 65/66/67 columns and instument clusters were painted the same.

Hope this is of some help to you.

Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.
NCRS Member #18379
1964 Corvette #9258

[James W.]

Re: C2 ? re instrument cluster and and steering co

Larry,

I guess I should have wrote this in my earlier response. When I restored my steering column, bezel and cluster. I used Krylon brand semi-flat black paint for the steering column, directional signal housing and steering wheel hub on my '64. I used Rustoleum Satin black paint for my steering column bezel. I know Corvette Central sells what they call "instrument cluster" black paint for C2 cars. This paint would be the same semi-gloss finish as used for both the clustetr and the bezel.

Regards,

James West

[Mark F.]

Re: C2 ? re instrument cluster and and steering co

Larry:

Rustoleum satin black #7777 was a better match than Krylon semi-flat black #1613 for my restored instrument cluster, having slightly more sheen. I'd recommend you try each on a sample piece and choose the one that more closely matches your cluster. Good luck. Mark

[James W.]

Re: C2 ? re instrument cluster and and steering co

As I said use the Krylon semi-flat black for the steering column tube, directional signal housing and steering wheel hub (should have a low-gloss appearance) and use the Rustolium satin black finish for the steering column support bezel, instrument cluster AND the glove box (should have a semi-gloss appearance). There is a definite difference in sheen between the parts described above. They shouldn't match in appearance.

Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.
1964 Corvette #9258
NCRS Member #18379

[Larry Rosamond]

Thanks for the input....

Your interpretation makes sense. My guess was that since the column and cluster were different assemblies, they would have a different sheen. I was also leaning towards painting the bezel with a different paint from the column. Somtimes it seems that the JG uses the terms "semi-gloss" and "low gloss" interchangably. In this case the literal reading sounds dead on. Now that I have studied and sanded my steering column, it was apparent that the column was a lower gloss finish in it's original paint.

Thanks for the help. May have to try this thinking a problem through thing again sometime.