Gauge Bezels

[Hootch]

I picked up some aluminum gauge bezels from a well-known vendor that you're all familiar with. I think the price was fair, but frankly, I really do prefer the chrome (which were out of stock).

The Pros:

These fit really snuggly over the existing gauges, and I didn't need silicon, crimping, a Dremel, or any of the stuff I've read about on this forum. I simply pressed them on by hand, and they're good and tight.

The Cos:

Now that they're installed, they sort of seem out of place. I'm thinking I might strip the paint off the steering wheel to expose the bare metal, and that might make these fit in better. I also plan to replace the Simulated Wood with something completely different that I frankly have yet to see (oh man, you guys are gonna dig it...or hate it).

If anyone's got ideas of how to make these aluminum bezels look better, bring it! I'm up for trying about anything - I have an extra ring too, since I am only using 5 gauges at present.

[pdx124]

I think they look good. But your paint strip idea sounds great and ought to help tie them in with the rest of the interior more.

[dinghyguy]

I have the same bezels, and like you i think chrome would look better, and thinner would be nice too.
I have toyed with the idea of painting them the color of the car..... I think it might look fine with your color.
cheers
dinghyguy

[Mrgreer]

I don't mind the finish as much as I think they look heavy. They end up too close together on the dash. If the chrome ones aren't any thinner, I don't think they'll look much different. I'm sure you covered black ones, otherwise I'd suggest painting them black. It would likely cost a fortune to turn them down to a smaller size.

[Hootch]

The bezels on this car look fantastic, in my opinion. They're wider, but for whatever reason, they seem to work here. Maybe it's the finish on the steering wheel, or even the level of ambient light in the photo. Or the fact that it's just a beautiful car in general.

https://d39a3h63xew422.cloudfront.net/w ... 00x667.jpg

https://petrolicious.com/articles/searc ... d=1&pid=14

[Mrgreer]

Those do look very nice, however, I don't think they are as wide as the ones in your photo. Those don't come close to touching each other, while the ones in the original post appear to almost touch. That's where I think the biggest difference is. Plus those other photos look to be professional, and that too makes a world of difference in the overall appearance of the dash.

[weengra]

You could take them to a polisher and get them highly polished. b-

[dinghyguy]

as noted i have the same bezels.....
after

before

cheers
dinghyguy

[Hootch]

I ended up stripping the old black paint on the two arms(?) of my steering wheel. I've used 200, 400, and 800 sandpaper to get a nice shine. I still need some work to do, but the stainless steel steering wheel ties in pretty well with the bezels.

The job was messy, but surprisingly easy. Citrus stripper for an hour, a plastic scraper and nylon brush took the old paint off with ease.

As for the bezels, I have 6, but only 5 gauges, so I'm going to play around with the extra on and see what I can come up with. .. well, after I finish the stereo install, carpet install, and dash wood re-finishing. You could say I've got plenty on my list to keep me occupied. . .

[joelittel]

Sorry if this was mentioned before but there two types of bezels available.

The first covers the original black bezels. The second replace the original black bezels, and are much more difficult to install.

To me the photos in the previous threads all look to be the bezels that are intended to cover the original black ones.

Hope this helps.

I have the second type in my car. If anyone wants pictures to compare I can post a few.

[Hootch]

I've seen posts discussing the effort to change out the bezels - it looks like quite a task, but I'll bet they look great now. I'm a sucker for the chrome ones, but I've got a few other things to address first. But heck, I'll have 5 months of cold weather coming soon, plus a new dremel, and I just might need something to do...

[basso]

If anyone's got ideas of how to make these aluminum bezels look better, bring it! I'm up for trying about anything - I have an extra ring too, since I am only using 5 gauges at present.

Hy Hootch,
the glass of my spiders clock was dull and i had to replace it.

While opening i discover that the original brezel is made out of aluminium – If You like to have shiny brezels why not polisihng the original one? You can carefully remove the paint and polish the aluminum...

I dont like these covers in an (fine) italian car – they are to massive, but this is only my opinion

[Hootch]

Hmm. very interesting. I stripped the paint off the grill, and more recently, the steering wheel (https://i.imgur.com/v08ugBm.jpg). It was actually a fairly easy project, so I might just try that route during fiat hibernation season. Thanks for the suggestion.