71 Instrument Bezel

[Jack H.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

The problem with attempting to 'repair' a broken center cluster bezel is two fold.

First, it's a pot metal casting and the WSW switch relies on electrical continuity from the top of the bezel to the bottom for proper ground operation. So, if you use 'glue' to repair the fracture, you might not get good/consistent electrical continuity.

Second, the outer edges were chrome accented and the really good/savvy interior judges visually inspect the traditional fracture points CLOSELY looking for any evidence of discontinuity in the casting. I've yet to see a repaired center console bezel that escaped close judging scrutiny with a truly 'invisible' repair...

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Paul if you have some Krylon 1613 semi-flat that should work there are probably many other paints that would work but 1613 seemed for me to work best. Paul 18046

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Thanks Paul. Anyone have any idea how you mask the words tuning and volume when painting with the Kylon 1613 semiflat black paint????
Paul

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

I will have them correct the tooling. Thanks for the information!

Ken,

Check out the other letters too. The "U" is just the most obvious error.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Thanks Paul. Anyone have any idea how you mask the words tuning and volume when painting with the Kylon 1613 semiflat black paint????
Paul

I have found SEM Trim Black to be right on - in fact I just painted half of one and you can't tell where I stopped.

One trick is to paint the item and then wipe off the black from the letters. Another trick is to use a small roller to apply silver paint to the letters.

Patrick

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Paul they way I do it is before the paint totally sets up I use a straight edge blade to remove the black paint off the chrome areas letters, side trim. We are just giving away our secrets today. Paul 18046

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Paul they way I do it is before the paint totally sets up I use a straight edge blade to remove the black paint off the chrome areas letters, side trim. We are just giving away our secrets today. Paul 18046

Yeah, but I sent him a bill.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Plus, on the earlier Shark cars (with a 'push' to reset seat belt warning indicator system), the reproductions I've seen are of 'one fits all' construction. This means the center bar separating the 'push' button from the indicator light is 'tacked on' and NOT molded into the adjacent surround of the bezel leaving tell tale parting lines...

just to illustrate

Best regards

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

I really appreciate the information. Pulled the old bezel out--no way it can be repaired--it broke in two THIN places--not enough surface area to use JB weld or anything else. I going to buy an original one and repaint. If I get to the point of having my 71 judged and make top flight it will only be because of the help I have received here on the forum. I can't ever tell all of you how much I appreciate you taking your time to answer my questions. THANK YOU!!!!!!

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

The back of my original bezel has the # 6491171-69 tuning side. The other side has some numbers that are very faint C180851=68????hard to read. Are there correct?

Paul

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

I really appreciate the information. Pulled the old bezel out--no way it can be repaired--it broke in two THIN places--not enough surface area to use JB weld or anything else. I going to buy an original one and repaint. If I get to the point of having my 71 judged and make top flight it will only be because of the help I have received here on the forum. I can't ever tell all of you how much I appreciate you taking your time to answer my questions. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Paul,

Uncracked originals are not cheap.
You "may" look at the repros and decide that the dollar vs. points difference isn't worth it. Just an FYI.

Patrick

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

The numbers I listed are correct. Bought a bezel that was removed from a 69 with no cracks and the original seatbelt push button--will repaint and try to reinstall without breaking. Those two little nuts on the attached bolts of the bottom on the bezel are very hard to reach. Lucky for me I also have to remove the radio to get it restored. Anything else I should look at doing while I have these out? I am also replacing the gauge lens--all the gauges work fine. Thanks Paul

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Paul when I removed my bezel those nuts were not very tight. later I talked about this with other Corvette people that I know they said they found many of these nuts were only finger tight. Paul 18046

[Paul C.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Paul you are exactly right. I had taken the bezel out before and decided to just finger tighten the nuts because it took my forever to get them out the first time. This time it was a 10 minute job versus a 2 days job. Great point for everyone to remember when reinstalling the bezel.

[Alan S.]

Re: 71 Instrument Bezel

Hi Paul,
You may still be able to repair your original. You're right that it breaks at those two very narrow areas. I have heard (Urban Legend?) that it was designed to break there if a person hits the bezel during a collision.
You can build up a MUCH deeper/stronger repaired area and still have the bezel slip in properly between the dash pads.
I broke one side on mine trying to get the top of the bezel to match the line of the upper dash pad. It made the most pathetic little sound when it popped.
Regards,
Alan