C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

[Jace H.]

I am considering painting my 67 Gage Cluster housing myself instead of sending it off to a resto house. All of my gages work and the faces are is good shape. However the car has not been driven much in the last 28 years prior to my purchasing it last fall. In fact the car sat for 20 years at one point never driven. The car has 35k miles on it. Should I have the gages rebuilt anyway? What would be the correct paint to use on the cluster housing?

Thanks,
Jace Holt

[George C.]

Re: C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

Jace,

I have the cluster all apart for my 1965 365 HP Roadster. I did send out the speedometer to have the odometer fixed, and the tach to have the redline area repainted but all others were just cleaned real well. Strip the housing with paint remover first, then I used Krylon Semi flat black to paint it. I have also done the glove box door and center dash section, I think it looks great. The dust inside the lenses really made the gages look dull, it is amazing what 37 years of dust and dirt can do. Others may have better ideas about the other gages, but you should hear a pretty consistent story on the paint.

George

[Jace H.]

Re: C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

George,

Thanks for the quick response. Who did you send your gages to? Were you happy with the results? I have used the Krylon semi flat on alot of parts to date so I was hoping someone was going to suggest this paint. It is great to work with.

Thanks again,
Jace Holt

[George C.]

Re: C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

Jace,

I used D and M restoration services in Spartenburg SC, I live in Charlotte NC area. They advertise in Driveline, and yes I was happy with their work. Call and talk to Mike, I think you will be hapy with his knowledge and work. I should own stock in Krylon, I have done everything with their paint. I did the control arms, front springs and frame, underhood area, steering column, pedal assembly etc. I evan found two colors of green to do the insides of the gage cluster. Good luck with your project.

George

[William B.]

Re: C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

I seem to remember a few recent posts regarding do itself cluster restoration.
Paints to use and where to get them etc. check the archives.
Good Luck

[Wayne K.]

Re: C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

Jace,

If all your gauges work and the faces are in good shape I would not send them anywhere. Do a good cleaning and repaint with the Krylon Semi Flat Black. Unless the paint is blistering I would not remove it. Clean it with prep-sol and a soft tooth brush. Scuff the areas to be painted with a Scotch Brite pad and go over it again with the prep-sol and tooth brush wiping off before it dries with a terry cloth. Tape off the areas to be painted and use a tackcloth before painting to assure a clean surface. I did my glove box door like this and it turned out great. You will have to use the proper color to highlight the lettering. Good luck.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 Gage Cluster Housing Paint

I prefer the SEM Trim Black to the Krylon. It seems to flow better and be more resistant to scratches. I just used it on my 72, and it worked flawlessly as always.

Patrick