Veglia Gauge Condensation

[Pinin85]

Ok, so none of my cars see water other than meticulous washing with only Adams's products and are stored in a climate controlled, dehumidified barn. Why does condensation form inside the glass on the small gauges even on days without much humidity? It rarely happens on the large gauges and never happens on other cars with other brand gauges. Can this be prevented?

[vandor]

I heard that this actually comes from the oils that lubricate the mechanism inside.
Other than removing the 'glass' and cleaning it I don't see how it could be prevented. If it is the oils then it should take years to return.

[djape1977]

it's not oil. water is getting in somewhere.

[Exit98]

I had my gauges restored. I was a little disappointed when I got condensation after re-installing them. Primarily the clock and temp gauges, although in high humidity even the big ones. They tend to clear the longer the drive. I don't worry about it much anymore.

I bet you could solve the problem by running a flexible plastic tube, 1/2 in. or so from the inside of the lower console by the floor heat vent up behind the gauges. The idea being the heated air would clear them from the back. Just turn on the heat and fan for a few minutes. We sure have heat to spare in our Spiders.

[TX82FIAT]

It is a temp difference thing where the heat does not have an escape route. Some guys have drilled little holes in the guages to create an escape route for moisture and heat. That combined with a little anti fog on both sides of the lense helps. LED lights also create less heat a delay/reduce the fogging.

[leeputmanjr]

I keep my '74 Spider in the garage, with a dehumidifier always running. I get 2 gallons of water out of the air every other day or so! Even with that, I still get some gauge condensation, which goes away as the car really gets warmed up.

[fredsfiat]

This question was posed in the Fix It Again Tony section of Hemming's Sports and Exotic Cars and Tony Pearson suggested that the cause is condensation due to breakdown of the weatherstripping over time. His suggestion was to change the weatherstripping. I thought I had saved the article, but I cannot find it, so can't tell you which issue to look in. It was within the past year, though.

[fiat218]

This question was posed in the Fix It Again Tony section of Hemming's Sports and Exotic Cars and Tony Pearson suggested that the cause is condensation due to breakdown of the weatherstripping over time. His suggestion was to change the weatherstripping. I thought I had saved the article, but I cannot find it, so can't tell you which issue to look in. It was within the past year, though.

What would weatherstripping got to do with the Gage's? How would changing the weatherstripping prevent no condensation from getting to the Gage's? Makes no sense to me

[Pinin85]

I heard from a very knowledgable person that the gauges were sealed at the factory. Over time, the seal breaks and moisture gets inside the gauge. They fog from the condensation created by the temperature differential inside and outside the gauge. Maybe that is why they fog up more with the lights on?

[fredsfiat]

Regarding weatherstripping/seals:

The article was in the June 2012 issue of Hemmings S & EC. I don't know if it's right or wrong, just thought I'd throw it out there. Here is the quote:

"When your Spider was new, all the door, window and top seals did a pretty good job of keeping the inside protected from the outside. As time goes on, you'll probably find breaches in the armor if you look close enough. I suspect at some point the gauges got enough moisture inside, and it's staying there. The slightest amount of moisture will cause them to fog up and form condensation when they get warm.
There are a number of rebuilders in your area, and if they didn't take the time to completely dry out the components, then you'll continue to have issues.
The other things to look for are sources of moisture inside your Fiat. Dampness in the carpet can wreak havoc under the dash. A weepy heater core or blocked drain for the air intake in front of the windshield may not be obvious, but it will add just enough moisture inside to keep things damp. Silica bags placed inside the vehicle might help as well."

[seabeelt]

Having had all of the faces off of my gauges and cleaned them, I can attest that there is no seal between the lens and the gauge body nor the lens and the aluminum trim ring
R/

[TX82FIAT]

Agreed, IMHO, these gauges fog up because of moisture trapped and temp. I've always held that giving moisture the ability to escape is the answer. That and a little anti fog cleaning every few years.

[steve8462]

try pulling the light bulb socket out of the back of the gauge and placing one of those little silica gel packets stuffed part way into the opening and let it sit for a few days. it cant hurt. you can find the little packets in the bottom of a box of new shoes and other items. i'm sure you have all seen them

[westy64]

Regarding weatherstripping/seals:

The article was in the June 2012 issue of Hemmings S & EC. I don't know if it's right or wrong, just thought I'd throw it out there. Here is the quote:

"When your Spider was new, all the door, window and top seals did a pretty good job of keeping the inside protected from the outside. As time goes on, you'll probably find breaches in the armor if you look close enough.."

Do these people share our common view of what is a spider ?
I mean, a convertible spider ?
A car without a top ?

Too funny...

[124spiderman]

If this is any consolation my brother's 308GTS has the same condensation issue...yep Ferrari fogs up it gauges also. Mainly after wet, rainy days. And the car doesn't get driven in the rain.
Simple fix is to remove the gauges and drill out a tiny hole at the top. This allows the warm moist air to escape rather than fog up the glass. Works a treat.