bureau13

So I finally decided to start tearing out the dash, pod and center console, to replace them with the uncracked leather ones I have sitting in my bedroom. Plenty of WYAIT items on the list, so I started with the pod. Got it off, instrument cluster out, etc. I couldn't really get the plastic flex circuit off, it seems more than just the screws and little plastic locators holding it on, but I think that's fine...I think I can do what I need to do without separating that. I've repaired the odometer (why did they seemingly make just that one gear so fragile? Could it have been so if something breaks, it's that and not a more expensive piece? Hmmm) and "adjusted" the fuel gauge needle.

The next thing I want to do is separate the black bezel from the clear plastic lens piece....any hints on the best way to do that? I have a brushed aluminum gauge surround that I think would look cool, otherwise I wouldn't need to touch this thing...although some cleaning on the inside would probably not be a terrible idea.

Speedtoys

Razor blade and patience on removing the clear face.

bureau13

Ugh...is it glued? I had hoped it was just held by plastic tabs, but it's not wiggling at all.

The Forgotten On

It's glued, but the glue most of the time has deteriorated and made it easier to get off after 30 years. Just be patient and take your time with a razor blade as suggested above.

AirtekHVAC

I used a razor blade, pocket screwdriver, and some patience. It was "milky" stained. After an hour of scrubbing with scratch-x each night for a week, it came out looking brand new.

Bilal928S4

Was the stain on the inside or outside of the lens?

Go Go Joe

Make sure you use some alcohol on the edges of the instrument panel before putting on the aluminum gauge surround. My '84 came with one installed. How long it was on before I bought it IDK, but it fell off and was laying on the gauges loose. Didn't hurt anything but while I was in there replacing the odometer gear I removed it. Unfortunately, the clear bezel had been removed to install the gauge surround and was now tightly glued in place and was not going to come off again without a lot of effort!
So I managed to get my fingers inside the panel and crunch up the surround up enough to fish it out thru the tachometer hole. No damage but it left glue residue that could not be removed. I ended up brushing Testor's Dullcote lacquer around the edges to make it less noticeable. It turned out pretty good. I thought I liked the aftermarket chrome gauge surround at first, but it did make reading the gauges a little harder. Porsche had the right idea with a flat black, simple, plain, easy to read, and classy instrument panel bezel. In my opinion, it's not worth the trouble. And if it pops off....

Joe

bureau13

I may just ditch the idea. It came with double-sided tape to install...I can easily see that letting go in the heat.