Instrument bezels

[Mervyn Waugh]

I am considering refurbishing my instrument panel.1976 Mk 2. Can anyone confirm the original finish on the instrument bezels? Mine are presently chrome with the black removed, but I am considering putting them back to black. Should they have a fine chrome outline as in this photo?

[DJT]

Depends on the age of the car. Mk1 bezels were all black. Mk2, from LD20001, were black with a thin chrome ring.

[paul jorgensen]

My 73 Mk2 had black with the thin chrome ring. They are chrome now but would like them as original. It does not look an easy job to do though!!!

[DJT]

New ones are available. Try contacting Caerbont Automotive Instruments.

https://www.caigauge.com

Other suppliers may have them.

[Mervyn Waugh]

Thanks for the info. I would like to go for the original look, black with thin chrome rim. I will have the instruments out to re veneer the wood, My intention is to remove the bezels, spray them matt black, then lay them on a flat surface and using a cutting compound, gently remove the paint from the high point on the rim, revealing the chrome. Simple...or perhaps it's my OCD playing up again!

[Chris01573]

I was thinking of doing the same might try just using a flat piece of paper with a little acetone on to do the chrome strip.

[Mervyn Waugh]

Exactly the sort of thing I had in mind, just hadn't worked out the detail, good idea.

[wilf]

Thanks for the info. I would like to go for the original look, black with thin chrome rim. I will have the instruments out to re veneer the wood, My intention is to remove the bezels, spray them matt black, then lay them on a flat surface and using a cutting compound, gently remove the paint from the high point on the rim, revealing the chrome. Simple...or perhaps it's my OCD playing up again!

The problem I had when I tried that is that to get the satin black spray or rather it's etch primer to adhere properly or in some places, at all, despite meticulous degreasing, I had to scuff up the underlying chrome, and then the option to try to remove a thin "ring" of the paint wasn't really there any more. So I gave up and ended up with full satin black surrounds, i.e. a MK1 finish in my Mk2. Still looks miles better than the original flaky black paint. And yes, I know not all the screws are in.

IMG_4656r.jpg

[Wheelz]

I repainted mine then used two different methods to remove a thin ring of paint on the edge but I got a slightly ragged edge using either method.
1. A cloth laid flat wetted with solvent 2. A very fine abrasive paper.

[JOHNS]

I would suggest a piece of flat glass with a fine cutting paste.

[APS]

I have not tried this on instrument bezels but I have on other small bits of trim etc where it is difficult to mask off what you do not want to paint. This is to put a smear of silicone grease or Vaseline on your finger tip. With a steady hand wipe your finger tip over the piece you do not want to paint. Spray paint your item and let it dry. Once dry wipe your item with a clean cloth, the area where you wiped your finger will clean straight off leaving the area underneath paint free. Easy and only takes a minute to do. I once done this to a set of alloy wheels when much younger when I could not afford powder coating. A trick I have done a number of times since.

[singapore stag]

That looks really good!!


image.png

[Mervyn Waugh]

Wow, think I am converted to full black, that looks very tasty, is it satin?
Sort of makes chrome look a bit, dare I say it, tacky...

[wilf]

Yes, satin black. I had also very carefully cleaned the instrument glasses and glasses, and used compressed air to (gently) blow out the inner workings and casings to remove "bits". New sealing rubbers, too.

[gowerboy]

I used a cloth stretched on a flat surface with a cutting compound. I think there is a YouTube video (actually instruments from a TR6). Worked well for me.