Gauge refurbishing.

[DazbodS2]

Whilst undertaking other tasks around my dashboard, the inspection lamp I was using highlighted how dusty, grubby and generally tired looking my centre section gauges are although they are generally in good condition. I also have noticed they steam up this time of year. As I have been considering fitting more brighter LED lamps for my gauges, seems opportune to clean up the gauges as well if possible. How easy is it to remove the gauge rim and get to the glass. Can you get new glass and seals? Any thoughts appreciated.

[tim wood]

Easy job and just right for this time of year.
Remove the gauge noting the connections. The rim comes off by twisting and aligning the bent over tabs with the cut outs in the casing. Easier to do than describe. You may need a small screwdriver like tool to assist.
Most likely the seals will be rotten.
New seals can be got from eBay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-E-typ ... SwB09YQDIE

[DazbodS2]

Easy job and just right for this time of year.
Remove the gauge noting the connections. The rim comes off by twisting and aligning the bent over tabs with the cut outs in the casing. Easier to do than describe. You may need a small screwdriver like tool to assist.
Most likely the seals will be rotten.
New seals can be got from eBay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-E-typ ... SwB09YQDIE

Much appreciated Tim - thanks for the helpful info. Do you know if replacement glass or rims are available?

[tim wood]

Rims can be had from Holden amongst others
https://www.holden.co.uk/search/Gauge/page/3?

I would think it’s unlikely you will need any new glass but these are obtainable

Tim

[DazbodS2]

Rims can be had from Holden amongst others
https://www.holden.co.uk/search/Gauge/page/3?

I would think it’s unlikely you will need any new glass but these are obtainable

Tim

Thanks again Tim - just ordered the seals.

[JerryL770]

Be careful with those rims from Holden, they are the Vee profile ones. The ones on my car are the semi-circular profile ones. They seem to have the seals too.

The rims are very easy to refurb, as long as the tabs are good. Just get a rattle can of black paint, carefully sand the rims and spray.

[tim wood]

Good point, I hadn’t recognised that this was a series 2 with the round rims.
As you say refurb is easy. Kitchen table job !

My series 1.5 came with a bit of mixture of rims, so since I preferred the double v style I changed them all.
Tim

[DazbodS2]

Thanks Gents I had noticed The Holden rims only came in V and half V profiles. Spray can it is then. I am guessing silk rather than gloss.

[H7OB]

I used these guys when I refurbished mine...

https://www.autoelectricalspares.co.uk/ ... us-2-w.asp

They had seals, bezels, glass at good prices.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.

[DazbodS2]

I used these guys when I refurbished mine...

https://www.autoelectricalspares.co.uk/ ... us-2-w.asp

They had seals, bezels, glass at good prices.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.

Many thanks I’ll check them out.

[H7OB]

As Tim says the bezels are pretty easy to twist and prise off.
Mine looked like new after blowing out the dust, replacing the seals & lenses and painting the bezels. The old seals were hard and crumbly!

Not always easy to completely avoid the fogging but it might be worth polishing the glass inside and out with Rain-X water repellent. Its good for windscreens, visors etc.

[DazbodS2]

As Tim says the bezels are pretty easy to twist and prise off.
Mine looked like new after blowing out the dust, replacing the seals & lenses and painting the bezels. The old seals were hard and crumbly!

Not always easy to completely avoid the fogging but it might be worth polishing the glass inside and out with Rain-X water repellent. Its good for windscreens, visors etc.

Good advice thanks Paul. New seals arrived today so will get to work at the weekend. What paint did you use out of interest for the bezels, I’m thinking a silk rather than gloss finish?

[H7OB]

Hi Darren
I used Simoniz Tough Paint in satin which goes on nicely and seems pretty durable. Ive also used the gloss for some bike bits.

[AshM]

Following this post with interest Darren as would be keen to do a similar job on mine.

Keep us updated on how you get on and any tips.

Cheers
Ash

[DazbodS2]

Hi Darren
I used Simoniz Tough Paint in satin which goes on nicely and seems pretty durable. Ive also used the gloss for some bike bits.

Thanks Paul Satin it is then.

[DazbodS2]

Following this post with interest Darren as would be keen to do a similar job on mine.

Keep us updated on how you get on and any tips.

Cheers
Ash

Will do Ash. I have the seals, Rain-x, and satin paint. Just need to buy the led bulbs. The seals come in pairs one for fitting between the glass and bezel together with seals for fitting between the gauge and dash. Interestingly the dash seals are not supplied as a circular seals but come in lengths. Wife permitting may make a start this weekend.

[johnetype]

Simoniz Tough Paint in satin which goes on nicely and seems pretty durable.

+1 for Simoniz Tough Paint. I used it on my bezels and got perfect results.

[DazbodS2]

Centre panel gauges all restored and refitted with access gained through the centre panel, without the need for removing the dash top. Turned out to be a relatively straightforward job which has lifted the appearance of the dash and the new LED lamps make for a for big improvement. I also replaced two of the three lower panel lamps at the same time, the central lamp was inaccessible and will need to be done separately. I addressed each gauge one at a time and took plenty of photos to minimise potential issues with wiring location. This proved invaluable as a couple of wires came adrift as I was rummaging around, finding from where they had come adrift could have been an issue. Removal of the bezels took some effort as the mastic which I understand is used to provide the original glass to bezel seal, had hardened and effectively glued the bezels case and glass together. Careful prizing of the bezel tabs upwards and the rim from the gauge body was necessary to allow them to twist and come away. This had to be done judiciously as the brass bezels are delicate and easy to distort. Once separated, the mastic had to be carefully “chipped” and scraped away from within the bezel recess and the glass, being very careful not to chip or scratch the glass. Once cleaned up the glass looked like new. Having cleaned out the dust and debris, I used a drop of rapid detailer to gently clean the gauge fascia, I was conscious to not potentially rub away the gauge printing. The gauge housings were in good order and only needed a little Autosol to clean them up. I used a couple of coats of Satin Tough paint as recommended and this seemed to work well although the finish is slightly more mat in appearance to the original finish on the bezels. Reassembly with the new seals, which fitted perfectly, was straightforward although due to static, ensuring dust was kept out was a bit of a nuisance, perhaps an anti static cloth may help. The bezel tabs were carefully bent back into position to ensure the bezel was compressing the seal to the glass. When refitting into the dashboard the new LED bulbs were used. As stated, this has improved the appearance of the gauges considerably and the LEDs make for a big improvement. Interestingly, although I didn’t use the Rainx, the new seals seem to have stopped the misting up I had previously experienced. I did note on a number of my gauges that the green filter in the bulb recess was either melted away or very dirty. I opted for green LEDs which in view of the green filter damage was a good choice. Next job is to do a similar renovation on the tacho and Speedo.

[Damoyorkie]

Thanks for this Darren,

And to the other posters. Would you be able to say where you got the new bulbs from ? And are you able to post a picture of the completed job, lit up ?

Kind regards,

Damien

[DazbodS2]

Thanks for this Darren,

And to the other posters. Would you be able to say where you got the new bulbs from ? And are you able to post a picture of the completed job, lit up ?

Kind regards,

Damien
[/quote

Hi Damien,

As recommended within this topic, I used Classic Car LEDs Ltd (www.classiccarleds.co.uk). They were most helpful and my delivery arrived within a day or so of ordering. I found it useful discussing my requirements with them to ensure the right bulbs were ordered for my application as there are a number of options, not least colour.

Darren