Dashpod refurb

[ghost]

Whilst my car is waiting for new fuel lines, I need to start fettling (as you do). Thought you might be interested in my refurb (with photos).
What do you guys think of the chrome ring look? I think it gives it a subtle, updated look like the Audi, BMW, Merc of today?

1. Added chrome rings - bought from www.tuning-shop.co.uk
2. Polished out the scratches/swirls in the plastic screen (using 3 grades of Menzerna polish and Dodo Juice Lime paint cleaner).
3. Cleaned all the white lettering with the dodo juice lime paint cleaner They were filthy, yellow/brown.
4. Removed the light prisms, cleaned off all the dull/worn paint and resprayed with chrome paint, except for the 45 degree, light reflection planes (upon which I taped on some aluminium foil pieces to better reflect the light).
5. Replaced all the bulbs. Many had gone black with age.

Before the refurb. There were loads of scratches, but the photo doesn't show them too well.

After the cleaning and ring fitting.

Repaired light prisms

Repaired a boken lug - fabricated from a bit of plastic lying around.

All done. Ready to refit.

 

[Big Dave]

Looking good.
BUT the alloy tape you used was it "duct tape".?
Not the most reflective. Try some thin aluminium repair tape. A lot more reflective.
And the bulbs you replaced. were they 2W bulbs.?
I fitted a set of the 3W bulbs, they dont seem any hotter than the 2W ones, just brighter...
Ive had a set of the "chrome" rings on my 968 / 944S2 / and again, 968 for around 5 years. defo seems to update the binnacle..

How did you remove the reflective angled bits + how did you re-fit them.?

Anyway, you seem to be having fun...

 

[Suffolk944]

I have some chrome rings and have been umming and aahing whether to use them or not but they do look good. Think I will take the plunge. []

 

[Lowtimer]

If you had simply described in words what you planned to do I would have predicted that it would look cheap and blingy. But being very thin and restrained, the rings look pretty good, so you've opened me up to the idea. It will be interesting to see it all reassembled in the car.

 

[ghost]

Dave,
I placed a strip of alu foil underneath the duct tape. So very shiny. And yep, 3W bulbs too [] By angled bits, I meant the light entry/exit faces on the prism. I pulled them off, and then superglued them back on.

Cheers,
Marcus

 

[ghost]

I'll take some more photos of the dashpod back in the car - when it stops boomin' raining!
She's having new fuel lines fitted on 1st Sept. So I have time for some more fettling...

Hmm.... Next I am going to try to cure the creaky dashboard. I think I know where it's coming from, and I have a plan! []

 

[ghost]

UPDATE....

In retrospect, the prism painting doesn't work very well. Not shiny enough. I have redone the prisms using some highly reflective bought off eBay. Applied inside out so the the reflective surface faces inwards - very fiddly to do.  Also bought 3w bulbs came from Halfords.  Now working much, much better. In fact I now have to dim them slightly when it's very dark outside

Marcus

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty


Nice job there my friend !!! Would you be able to get the scratches out of my dash screen? I will gladly pay you to do it !!

Look on eBay and buy the polish used to restore Hesalite watch crystals. If youre concerned you can buy a used binnacle for a few pounds (without instruments perhaps, then literally a couple of pounds) and polish that one up.

This is a common practice on old watches which are worth more than the cars, and itll work extremely well.


Simon

 

[944turboS]

Looks great

 

[os951]

And yep, 3W bulbs too

Do NOT install those 3W bulbs. Use original wattage or install LED bulbs. 3W will melt all the plastic surroundings. I tried 3w watts over ten years ago and ruined my former 944 n/a's instrument cluster.