63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

[Richard M.]

Finally decided to restore the cluster on the 63. It took many hours just to mask things off, after much prep time to get it ready for paint.

It's hard to understand the process they used then to paint these. I'm sure they didn't use masking tape like I did!

Rich

[Jeffrey A.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Richard

Outstanding Job. I did the same to my 63. Its a painful process.
Jeff

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Richard,

Make sure the lenses are installed concave (in). Don't ask me how I know...

[Brian T.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Your cluster looks nice. The main difference that I see was the tape line at the base of the bezels. The original 63 and 64 cluster housings ALL have a black circle of paint in a very imperfect pattern at the base of the bezels. This was due to the fact that the masking method used round cones over the bezel and the workers clearly tried to get them "close" to the bottom, or surface of the housing. Your effort is admirable!
We have received many comments throught the years when we have returned a cluster after restoration. Owners unfamiliar with the process have said that the cluster looked great, but we could have done a "neater" job of masking.
After explaining that we do that to retain the original appearance, and sometimes emailing photos of original housings, the owners understand and appreciate the product even more.

[Paul J.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Your cluster looks nice. The main difference that I see was the tape line at the base of the bezels. The original 63 and 64 cluster housings ALL have a black circle of paint in a very imperfect pattern at the base of the bezels. This was due to the fact that the masking method used round cones over the bezel and the workers clearly tried to get them "close" to the bottom, or surface of the housing. Your effort is admirable!
We have received many comments throught the years when we have returned a cluster after restoration. Owners unfamiliar with the process have said that the cluster looked great, but we could have done a "neater" job of masking.
After explaining that we do that to retain the original appearance, and sometimes emailing photos of original housings, the owners understand and appreciate the product even more.

Brian:

On my early 64 the bezels are not masked to the bottom, as you explain. Each bezel is a little different, and the masking lines are smooth. Do you know what the cones were made of and how tightly they fit over the bezels?

Paul

[Brian T.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

I will try to clarify, the "imperfect" pattern meant that it was not even all around the circle. Not a jagged edge, but the cone was not perfectly spaced leaving a black edge that was not the same width around the bezel. I suspect that they used some type of plastic, that is what we use and they do fit rather snugly over the bezel.

[Dan H.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Hi, I found that using the 'non stick' electrical wrap tape as the bezel mask gives a nice but not 'too' nice line. The black seems to go up on the sides of the bezel very slightly on originals.
Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Richard,

Make sure the lenses are installed concave (in). Don't ask me how I know...

I'm glad I didn't put it back in yet! Guess what!

thankyou thankyou thankyou

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

My cluster is original and does not show much of a masking line (s/n 19,***). Also, my black has more gloss to it and I don't think it came from polish.

Stu Fox

[Brian T.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

I would be interested in a photo of that cluster. Do you know for a fact that it has not been out and reworked? Factory positively did not use a glossy paint and I have never seen an original housing without the black ring on the lower part of the bezel. Of course we are talking about 63 and 64 housings. I can't even begin to guess how many original housings we have had in our shop.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Brian;

I believe we are talking in semantics here. I took a closer look at Richards photos and I'd say mine looks about the same relative to level of sheen or gloss. I think it was the lighting he used which didn't allow much reflection except at the bottom curved surface. I looked more closely at mine also and it does have some masking lines. Sorry for the confusion, but I guess I never looked at it that close.

It seems to me that the 65 thru 67 may have a more "flat" (dull) black finish as they use the flat black instruments. Probably one true test is to compare the finish on the glove box door vs. the Instrument cluster. Mine have exactly the same level of sheen, and my door is just as it came from the factory (no scratches in the clear either).

I had my cluster out just once back in about 1976 to replace a stripped odometer gear, which was common back then. I just cleaned everything lightly and polished the lenses. My instruments continue to look and function like new after 45+ years and 44.5k miles. I can say that now after finally reconnecting my oil pressure gauge about a month or so ago with the helpful advice of some board members. I thought the borden tube was leaking and had disconnected it since the late 70's (it dripped an occasional drop on the E-Brake handle). Turned out I just did a bad job of connecting it when I had the cluster out. I must have trimmed the tube off with a Zona saw. This time I used a small tubing cutter and everything is fine.

Stu Fox

[Rob M.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Very nice work Rich!!! I love the end result. Are you sure of the color of all the bezels on the openings (needing to be black or not?) I forgot to memorize carefully what should be black and what shouldn't...

I just stripped mine for the second time and started all over because I couldn't get it right the first time. Every time I needed to correct something resulting in a far to thick layer of paint everywhere. I was really pissed off by it. So the next couple of days I'm retrying from scratch...

greetings,
Rob

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Another view of a 63. I sent the cluster face to Brian Tilles but I did the rest.

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

I'd like to use your photos for a different reason - your car is somewhere in the first 11,000, correct?
For 15 years, I have sent 3 or 4 63-4 Team Leaders the information that early (pre A/C) clusters have ONLY ONE LOCATION FOR THE HEADLIGHT OPENING SWITCH. Until A/C, they did not need a second location. If your car is early and you have two locations, your cluster has been replaced.

[Richard M.]

Re: 63 Instrument Cluster...Before & After

Very nice work Rich!!! I love the end result. Are you sure of the color of all the bezels on the openings (needing to be black or not?) I forgot to memorize carefully what should be black and what shouldn't...

I just stripped mine for the second time and started all over because I couldn't get it right the first time. Every time I needed to correct something resulting in a far to thick layer of paint everywhere. I was really pissed off by it. So the next couple of days I'm retrying from scratch...

greetings,
Rob

Hi Rob...Thanks. I just finished up this morning. I must tell you this entire task was more than I first thought. The mast jacket assembly and installation took more time than I thought, not to mention all the other little issues that came up. Like the vent grilles/doors, directional mechanical problems, etc. You know, one thing leads to another.......

According to what I learned here and in the JG, I think I got it pretty close. I didn't bring the black up into the bezels like Brian explained. I was thinking of re-masking the bezel outer edges and bringing the black up a bit but I got and decided against. Figured I'd leave it alone to be safe. I had to take it all apart again once as I got the lens direction wrong. Thanks to Timothy he saved the day and set me straight on that one!

The silver I used may be a touch darker than what I've seen, as different light and digital coloring in photos is tricky. I used semi-flat back, which seems glossy in the photos but in actuality it isn't.

If you mean the bezels on the "small" openings being black(lights, wiper, etc), according to what I've seen the insides are silver too. Or do you mean the top edges of the bezels? They are to be left chrome. I found it easiest to just leave them unmasked and carefully scape off the silver with a razor blade. Leaves a nice edge. I masked once and it leaves the edge a little rough.

FYI, I checked all bulbs and replaced a few incorrect ones along the way, but inevitably had a few light sockets that gave me trouble. Don't forget to check them.
I also put in a new seal at the firewall and a new lower bearing. Glad I did this work as I found a few loose nuts on the steering coupler and one clamp bolt was loose, likely for many years. No more play in the wheel.

Rich