1800: Opening up early gauges

[Darel]

Hello,

'66 1800S with jukebox gauges.

Has anyone had any real success opening up the round gauges and then getting them back together so that they look presentable? Not looking for concours here but I don't want them beat to crap either.

My gauges are functional (except the clock, of course), but the lenses are in rough shape, very cloudy and stained. The tach and speedo lenses need replacement. It is looking like it'll run me about $1800USD to send them out to be properly restored (this also includes the Bourdon tube gauges).

My first thought was to gently use a grinder (flat side of the wheel) and grind the lip off the back all the way around. Then, I think I saw where someone JB-welded some sheetmetal to the inside of the bezel to bend back over once the gauge was reassembled. My concern here is twofold, one that the chrome would blue, and become heat-discolored from the grinding wheel. Two, it would leave a rough edge, and as the gauges sit over the top of the dash trim panel you might be able to see the rough edge.

My other thought was to leave the crimp as-is and cut around the inside diameter of the crimp, removing a thin ring from the backing plate, then again adding sheetmetal back in upon reassembly. I don't know if this is realistic though, as I may damage something internally if it went too deep.

Thoughts? Has anyone done this successfully, or maybe watched how "real" gauge restorers do it?

Thanks,
Darel

[Derek UK]

Nisonger the gauge restorers have the special uncrimp tool and also recrimp as well so any gauges done by them come back with relatively undamaged rims. EXTREME patience needed to prise open the rimes with a small lever without doing too much damage.
Clean up the lenses with something that doesn't affect plastic, maybe brake cleaner on a rag, and then when completely dry rub them over with "Johnson's Baby Oil" or similar other brand, you might be surprised at the improvement if you have usual "cracked" appearance. Not a permanent cure and needs to be repeated now and then but cheap!

[Darel]

Any idea what the special "uncrimp" tool looks like?

[LMJ]

To open the instruments, the trick is to use a hose clamp and tighten carefully around the very lower part where the rim lip is bended. Now use a small fine screw driver to bend up the lip from its position step by step. The hose clamp will prevent damages to the outer chrome rim surface, as it will keep the rim to stay in position by the force of the hose clamp. A lot of patience is needed, but it is doable.

[Darel]

Thanks! The hose clamp is a good idea. I was also thinking about cutting a precisely-sized hole in a piece of wood, I wood" think this is less likely to scratch, or put uneven pressure where the worm screw would be.

Probably going to look for a junk gauge on eBay to test it out on.

Thanks,
D

[LMJ]

When you come to the screw position, you just loosen it, turn the hose clamp 180 degrees and continue.
You can eventual tape the inside of the hose clamp to avoid scratches.

[Tail]

For cloudy guage lenses on older motorcycles i use good old WD40, it brings them back clear again but its a short term fix and does need reapplying...