The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors AD Gauge bezel; rechrome or buy new?

I'm starting my gauge rebuild on my 1950 and the original bezels are a bit pitted. Is it worth rechroming or should I buy new ones? What sort of quality is out there on repops?

Also, does anyone know where I can get the rubber grommets that are on the back of the gauge housing?

I didn't have any problem with the repops. I don't know about the rubber but I think one could replace that with some silicone rubber.

I got a whole box of rubber grommets at harbor freight for like $3. Jim carter, chevs of the 40's, possibly steele rubber could have exact replacements. There is probably several other places to look into, but the first two generally have anything I need.

My personal opinion is to reuse the original parts when possible. Rechroming will be more expensive than buying a repop but in the end you'll still have the part your truck was born with. My experience with repop parts has been mixed but most have been "friday" parts.

I used repop parts to rebuild the gauges. No issues with fit, finish or quality. Here is a photo of my restored speedo using all repop parts.

I found that the repop's stainless steel, oem is chrome...

David, that looks good! Was that rebuild done with decals?

What rubber grommets are you referring to?

I'm having trouble with linking photos, try this link here. They look like vibration isolation mounts. I could not find them in the Jim Carter online catalog.

Your link works as a slideshow of one picture.

I don't recall seeing those being sold anywhere, but never really looked

The ones in your pic look to be in pretty good shape.
Maybe you could just reuse them.

If you definitely need them try posing your pic in the parts wanted section of the forum.

Maybe some who upgraded their speedometer would help you out.

I didn't remember If I had those on my 50 until I found this pic
...pic...



Good luck

I believe you would be very happy with the fitment and quality of the reproduction bezels.I'm going to give you something else to consider when rebuilding your gauges.


These can be purchased from :
Archer Fine Transfers
P.O.Box 1277
Youngsville,NC 27596-1277
e-mail: info@archertransfers.com
www.archertransfers.com
Instrument Cluster Markings
Instrument Cluster Markings Pic#2

Good luck and let us know how they turn out"pictures"!

Tim

Tim,

I couldn't find those on their website, what's the cost comparison to the stickers at jc?

Archer sells dry transfers for the gauge bezel. When I purchased mine they were $7.95

Try sending an email through the archer site. The owner is a member here

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showprofile&User=15895




...pic...

...pic...

You still will need a decal set (sticker) to resurface your gauge faces

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/interior/gauge%20cluster/index.html

I want to say I paid $7.95 also.I believe Chezman also known as woody Is the owner.
You will still need the decal set as dads50 mentioned.


Tim

Hey Tim, I was looking thru your instrument rebuild album, very impresive and mighty fine work. I really like your attention to detail.
I see in one shot that you have the art work for the gauges loaded on your laptop, Archer isn't reproducing that also are they????

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

are you refering to this pic? DG

its not in bowtietims post but in the post just above.

If you are refering to that pic I'll explain. Im attempting to modify a volt gauge to fit in my cluster.

I asked my wife to scan a decal set and change the 'D' and 'C' to a '8' and '16' in the correct font
...pic...

So far its been a fail on the print side, We cannot get it to print the correct size and color is way off. I may post this over in the IT section for some help.

Ringleader
I've had good luck with the aftermarket chrome trim rings for the gauges.

Oh yeah, sorry Gus I thought that was Tims album. Thanks for the explaination.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I was going to be doing the gauge reface soon. Where are those instrument cluster markings on the archer's website? I couldn't find them.

Also does anyone know a good paint that would look right on the instrument cluster marking bezel? or is it the same and the new face decals so I can go match at the store. Mine is badly faded and I am going to be putting new lables on I may as well freshen up the color. Since its a small project a spray paint would be best.

Archer dry transfer
...click...

Woodys tips
...click...
"Rustolium Brown 241239 and Krylon Camo 4292 are very close"

I used the Krylon

Good Luck

For what they do the repop bezels are OK. Just keep them "polished" when you clean up your ride.


That is a neat job Woody did on the lettering. Congrats Woody. I'm keeping a set for the next guage job.

Does anyone have a color for the center of the spokes...the "pink" center.

I went with the Krylon and it looks a bit darker than original but I'm hoping my originals were just that faded. I will see when my gauge faces show up.