Stainless Gauge Bezels

[Divers]

Anyone used the stainless gauge bezels from IAP? For $59.00 seems to be a nice "upgrade" since I have to remove the glass to clean/replace. Just curious how easy the replacement was? I will be installing in a make-b-leave GT250 dash.

Thanks!
Robert

[azruss]

I have a hard enough time re-crimping the stock soft metal ones. Doing SS gives me cold sweats.

[Divers]

I am curious how they attach. The website say you must remove the stock ones....

[manoa matt]

You have a couple options if you want that look.

You can get the chromed plastic ones that stick over the existing bezels. I have them and I'm satisfied with them. Let me know if you want a picture of them installed.

If you remove your existing aluminum ones to clean the glass, while you have them off remove the black paint. You will have a bare aluminum finish which you can use some fine fine steel wool to create a brushed look. You may want to spray them with a clear lacquer to keep it nice.

The stainless ones will depend on how they are manufactured. If it has the back lip then it might not be such a PITA, but if you have to roll that lip over, it won't be easy without creating some dents in the sides which will be visible. The big gauges are easy as the housings are plastic and flex some. The small gauges with metal housings are a little tougher to remove and replace the bezels.

[Divers]

Just an update. The ss bezels came in. I started with the tach and removed the black bezel. The stainless are a real pia...so, I am going to "glue" the bezels to the instruments instead of rolling the ss bezel over. I have the mil-spec RTV at work that will do the job very nicely. Already did the tach and it cam out nice.

[manoa matt]

Without rolling over that lip onto the back of the gauge housing will make the gauge sit about 1/6"-1/8" out further from the face of the wood panel. When you go to install the gauges the clips and thumb nuts that hold the gauges to the wood panel may pop off the bezels as they are tightened.

[Divers]

I am installing them in a gt250 type dash, but will watch out for the popping bezel.

[azygoustoyou]

I bought the SS ones and crimped them over. I used a large heavy punch and forced it over with my hand. My hands were sore afterward but it was worth it.

[grittracing]

you can sand the black paint off with 2000 gritt sand paper and polish the aluminum under the paint and look great

[Divers]

Just did the chisel method...ouch on the hands! Thanks for the input all!

[azygoustoyou]

Make sure the gauge stays flat on the table when pushing down. If it lifts up and the glass gets between the table and edge, it will break. Since I did mine, I got a press. I bet it would work great bending it.

[RedWolf]

You have a couple options if you want that look.

You can get the chromed plastic ones that stick over the existing bezels. I have them and I'm satisfied with them. Let me know if you want a picture of them installed.

If you remove your existing aluminum ones to clean the glass, while you have them off remove the black paint. You will have a bare aluminum finish which you can use some fine fine steel wool to create a brushed look. You may want to spray them with a clear lacquer to keep it nice.

The stainless ones will depend on how they are manufactured. If it has the back lip then it might not be such a PITA, but if you have to roll that lip over, it won't be easy without creating some dents in the sides which will be visible. The big gauges are easy as the housings are plastic and flex some. The small gauges with metal housings are a little tougher to remove and replace the bezels.

Do you mind posting them - I'm debating between the styles of bezels. Thanks

[azygoustoyou]

Here is a pic of what the stainless chrome ones look like. You can see them better below.

[dom]

I have guages from a 69 that I would like to clean the glass. How do you take the bezels off, do you pry open the curled rim? It looks like this would be very difficult.

[azygoustoyou]

I took some steel and cut the end to work similar to a can opener. It is hard to take off the bezels without damaging them. They won't go on as before at least from what I've seen.