fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Keeping it sharp - paint, wax, detailing, etc.
Post Reply
cos
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:54 am
Your car is a: 1978 cs2 spider

fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by cos »

Not sure if this has been covered before, but i just documented my attempt to fit these chrome rings to my spiders clocks.
I've heard that there are 2 designs available, one is the replacement type and the other is bezels that go over the existing rings. Now the original black rings are made of aluminium and are easy to remove as well as fit on the clocks, but the ones that i bought from evilbay in Germany we made out of stainless. And here is a big problem. It's almost impossible to fold the edges neatly no matter what. The ultimate solution is to have a special press tool made, but it will be cheaper to buy another car instead.
there were no instruction with my kit and I've read somewhere that bonding is one solution, but when fitted to the panel, the clamps at the rear pull the clocks tight against the rings and i wandering how long before the bonding gives way.
Image
My solution was this: mask the new chrome rings neatly all round up the fold line.
Then using a dremel or similar tool remove the excess material but leave 3-4 bend tags.
Image
De-burr any sharp edges, re-polish the edge and then place a few layers of masking tape to avoid any damage to the chrome surface.
Image
Removing the old aluminium ring is very easy, using a small screwdriver.
Clean the instruments and glass
Image
then with all cleaned parts assembled (ensure you don't get any finger marks on the glass!) time to fit the new rings and bend the tags.
Image
one finished, 5 more to go!
Image
the finished assembly. While i was at it, i replaced all the bulbs just in case.
Image
User avatar
divace73
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:59 am
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat 124 Spider Silver
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by divace73 »

many thanks for posting that, that is a good idea, I have those rings as well and was thinking how I going to acheieve the same thing
Cheers David
-=1980 silver Fiat 124 Spider=-
If you want to see pics of my car (and other random stuff) >>click here<< OR
see my >>You tube channel<<
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by 4uall »

Bookmarked :wink: Just awesome, thanks
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
cos
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:54 am
Your car is a: 1978 cs2 spider

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by cos »

i was hoping it will be of help.
Forgot to post the photo of best way to remove old std aluminium rings:
Image

new ring with tags looks like this assembled
Image

the Clock assembly is a bit more troublesome as the time adjuster keeps the glass and a few other parts located through a hole, and needs a bit of patience
User avatar
btoran
Posts: 630
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:26 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Location: Northport, NY

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by btoran »

very nice solution. mine wasn't nearly as elegant.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... el#p200308
1975 Fiat 124 Spider
htchevyii
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 1807
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider hers 1972 Spider his
Location: Hydesville, CA (NorCal)

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by htchevyii »

Looks good, I used the chromed plastic covers and just silicones them over the stock ones.
Trey
Image
1982 SPIDER 2000, 1964 CHEVYII, 1969 Chevy Nova, 2005 DODGE RAM, 1988 Jeep Comanche
1972 Spider, 78 Spider rat racer 57 f-100,
User avatar
76124
Posts: 226
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 7:40 pm
Your car is a: 76 124 Spider
Location: Everett, WA

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by 76124 »

I used silicone on mine 20 years ago and have not had a single issue. Mine are the replacement steel or brass can't recall type. Paid way too much for them at Bayless back in the day.
Kraig
Everett, WA
76 Spider owned just shy 30 yrs and counting
69 Spider - Big truck ate it :cry:
74 Sedan special TC Auto..Died of cancer RIP
paulwall
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:33 am
Your car is a: fiat spider 1977

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by paulwall »

fitted chrome rings to my gauges a little time a go ordered from Germany but never got them? they sent to wrong address? as look would have it I saw a set for a morgan car on ebay and took a punt on them..hay presto! they fit like a glove complete with little tags that just folded over. they cost only £10 good result after that prob.with Germany..paul
cos
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:54 am
Your car is a: 1978 cs2 spider

Re: fitting chrome rings / bezels on the instruments

Post by cos »

send us the link!
Post Reply