dash cluster

[Bill M.]

I have painted mid year dash clusters in the past. but i cant remember how i protected the small letters around the ignition, head lights ect... do i just paint over and wipe off or do i try to apply a coat of wax? cluster is out of car and completely appart.

Thanks
Bill

[Bob H.]

Re: dash cluster

Hi Bill:

Long before computers and access to NCRS members, I painted a couple of dashes. I used a toothpick to spread vaseline on the letters, etc, painted it and let dry then simply wiped off the letters. I'm sure there may be updated ways but it worked for me back then

Bob

[Harry S.]

Re: dash cluster

I have painted mid year dash clusters in the past. but i cant remember how i protected the small letters around the ignition, head lights ect... do i just paint over and wipe off or do i try to apply a coat of wax? cluster is out of car and completely appart.
Thanks
Bill

Bill, I just did the bezels for my 63 radio. I cleaned them with acetone then painted everything. When it was dry I took a new sharp razor and just scraped the paint away. At the shop we use the same approach with the entire cluster.

[Bill M.]

Re: dash cluster

Harry Bob

Thanks i will do this weekend

[Domenic T.]

Re: dash cluster

Bill,
I did my 67 and used acetone and a Q-tip lightly to remove the paint from the letters and other places.
I found that stretching a cloth over my finger worked better because the Q-tip would hold to much and could wash away to much, as the cloth seemed to hold the right amount of acetone.

DOM

[Bill M.]

Re: dash cluster

Thanks Dom
Acetone is the winner

[Ralph E.]

Re: dash cluster

Bill, I just did the cluster on my 67. I painted everything. When it was dry I took a new sharp exacto razor and just scraped the paint away. Worked like a charm.
Just take your time, no need to rush.

[Bill M.]

Re: dash cluster

ralph thanks

[Brian K.]

Re: dash cluster

I have always painted and carefully with a rag wet with lacquer thinner on my finger wipe it off.

[Michael M.]

[Donald O.]

Re: dash cluster

Ralphie,
Did you use SEM Trim Black, or something else.

DonO

[Donald O.]

Re: dash cluster

There is really no need to mask or scrape. I’ve had great success wiping with lacquer thinner to clean paint off of clusters, grilles, etc.

After painting, I let the paint set up for about 5 minutes. I wear rubber gloves, then tightly wrap a cotton T-shirt around my finger. Momentarily dip the cloth in lacquer thinner, you don’t want it dripping wet. Then wipe the surface where you want to remove the paint. Just be a little more careful on the letters, lightly wipe don’t push. You’ll need to wipe surfaces several times, moving to clean areas on the cloth. Try it, it works well. This is a pic of my ’67 cluster after using this method.

Looks great!
How did you protect the turn signal lenses, and other idiot lights between the tach and speedo?

[Tom R.]

Re: dash cluster

Careful with the blades. Some of those old letters and bezels have all aged and become brittle. They may even be a little flaky. Too much pressure with a blade could have negative results. I have always used the lacquer thinner trick. It works.
Tom

[Bill M.]

Re: dash cluster

Don

you have to remove everthing the turn lens ect... come out easily

[Ralph E.]

Re: dash cluster

Ralphie,
Did you use SEM Trim Black, or something else.

DonO

Don,
I used SEM Trim Black.
Cleaning off the chrome around the bevels and script was a piece of cake.
One note: if you use the 1/4" rod method to reinstall the cluster be very careful not to scratch the paint around the cluster attaching bolts or you will need to do a little touch up around the holes. Lesson Learned!