The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '53 3100 - gauge cluster work - update: 7/24/2006

Hiyas peoples...

Dad installed his 12v ammeter into the gauge face on the '53 3100 today:
image of the gauges for \'53 chevy 3100 - no glass

Now he is looking for something to use for a gasket between the housing and the gauge glass... and I was wondering about ways to clean up the face as much as possible before reassembly.

So, what suggestions and methods do you folks have?

-W

Woog,
I've never found anything to clean or restore the faces of those guages. I've tried about everything I could think of on old faces I've had, Laquer thinner removes the paint, enamel reducer, 409, Fantastic, Citrus cleaners, GooGone, Rubbing alcohol, you name it. Usually the faces are faded and the silkscreened numbers almost appear to aquire surface rust. Maybe someone else has come across something.
As far as the gasket, if you don't want to order what the suppliers offer, the lock strip used to repair window screens works well. It's usually available at any hardware store in a variety of sizes.

Bob

Hi,
I had the same problem years ago. I found a classic parts supplier that had dash gauge decals. I was skeptical at first about what the quality would be like but I ordered some and installed them over 10 years ago. They are great! Look original, stick down nicely and are still perfect today. Take a look at www.fillingstation.com browse catalog for 'decals - truck gauge' Might be a good alternative for you.

I just used a big (about 4") o-ring to seal mine. A thin one works best.

While you have the guage cluster out why not paint the inside of the gauge cluster bucket (for lack of term) with a white enamel? This will give your cluster better elumination at night.
Tom

my brother use to own a business installing glass in cars. he had some kind of cleaners that could take out scratches on glass. you might try an auto glass place in your area.

Thanks everyone.

brjr51 - ah. I'm glad you posted... I'll be sure not to do any of that stuff then.

4ontheFloor - yeah dad and I were thinking we'd hit the hardware store and see what they had in the rubber o ring department. We have a really good hardware store in town with a huge plumbing section... we figure some vendor has the right gasket thing, but as pop has said many times: 'this is no show truck'.

235 Fat Fenders - yeah I was noticing it is kinda rusty there... but that is Papa's truck so... it is whatever he wants to do.

littlebuddie - I knew about filling station, but I didn't know about the gauge decals. Thanks for the part source tip.

-W

Jim Carter has the gauge decals, too. Have not tried them yet, but I plan to when I replace the speedometer in my '47 with the one Grigg sold me.

I used Jim Carter's faces on my gauges...very nice, fit perfect, and most importantly, matched everything else identically.

Thanks everyone.

Do ya have to totally disassemble the gauges to put the faces on there? or onyl partially... or is it just easier and simpler that way?

-W

boing

woogeroo,as long as the cluster is out the decals slide under the pointer and do look original.

cool.

Thanks, Slow..Rider.

-W

brjr51 - dad used your suggestion, he liked it and did it that way, it worked great.

Dad in process of reinstalling gauge cluster.

Take note of the custom door holder tool.

up close shot of gauge cluster reinstalled

shot of dash & steering wheel

-W