1st Gen Gauge Cluster Removal and Disassembly Tips

Before I go haphazardly removing screws and wires, I thought I would get the tips from the pros. I am going to be doing some dash work and repainting and need to get the cluster out of the way. While I have it out, I thought it would be nice to take it apart and clean it up, maybe even paint the needles. Any thoughts?

- Charlie

It's not to hard to take apart once you get it out. here's a small thread to help that part. https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t10009-removing-switches-from-dash-panel?highlight=dash+cluster
I'm thinking Wacko and Savage have done some resto work to thiers and it turned out great. Thier are some tips for polishing the scratches out of the cover someplace also by WDApair. I have color matched the dash on mine but just cleaned up the rest. Just take pics as you go to help you out on reassembly, it took me a few tries to get all the small lamps back in the right places. it's a small thing to do really and the results look great.

Perfect, thanks guys. This is going to help immensely.

other than the clips donavan posted about, its pretty simple and self explanitary. once out,there is a handful of small screws holding it all together.i recently did mine. i cleaned up the speedo and gauges, you could re paint and get decals from hobby store if in poor shape. painted needles florecent orange, painted the panel behind glass, i went gloss black with several coats of clear but you can paint to match body or whatever you want. i sanded and painted the outer peice silver and again laid on lots of clear and a sanded the clear plastic starting with 400 grit and going to 1500 grit and followed by HAND BUFFING with coumpound. dont use an electric buffer, ask me how i know! when i was finished, i came home and that same day found a chrome surround and ordered it. corvair dash parts are the same and plentiful/cheap. so...... look on ebay for parts BEFORE dissassembly and no electric buffer!

the clips at the top are a bit of a pain go slow and don't force it or they will beak off...it is well worth it to get the dash cluster out and rework it
before

after

That looks great! Where can I get the chrome bezel that goes around the gauge cluster???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ihttp://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140679942885&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123tem=140679942885&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123 these both just ended, but am sure he will relist. if not, they come up on ebay every month or so and usually for half his price.

sweet thanks. I'm bidding on the relist so please nobody bid against me

That looks real nice, good job.

Hey KK, They are all cast aluminum, You can polish yours.

M1D

hmmm, that's a good idea!

m1dadio wrote:That looks real nice, good job.

Hey KK, They are all cast aluminum, You can polish yours.

M1D

I have never found an aluminum one yet, all diecast (potmetal) like the glovebox door.


yes they can be polished up

not by me! i spent several hours sanding and polishing before giving up and digging out the spray gun.