Dash Cluster Plastic Lens

67 GTX · Apr 24, 2018

Does anyone have a good process to removing the plastic lens in a dash cluster? It is apparently held in by plastic pieces that are melted around the plastic, which lock it in place.

Have people just drimmeled the plastics away, and then glued/epoxied the new plastic lens in place?

I'm referring to the plastic lens shown in the photo below. Shown is the speedo lens, but I am referring to that, and the gauges lens as well.

Thank you

aeon280 · Apr 24, 2018

I just recently disassembled the cluster on my coronet and used a drill bit slightly larger than the diameter of the melted plastic. It does not take much effort to free the ridge. Use low speed and knock the top off of the plastic rivet for lack of a better word. Then you can pop it loose with a small flat head.

dadsbee · Apr 24, 2018

Warm them up with a soldering iron and pop them through, so you have the same plastic to remelt it back into place. Also save the scraps that pop off.

67 GTX · Apr 25, 2018

dadsbee said:
Warm them up with a soldering iron and pop them through, so you have the same plastic to remelt it back into place. Also save the scraps that pop off.

I'm assuming the factory did some type of similar procedure, since they do seem melted?

Only thing that worries me is being able to lock the new lens back in place. Have you ever had any issue, or cut off pieces of another junk cluster to add to the pieces that you're melting again?

dadsbee · Apr 25, 2018

I'm assuming the plastic tabs are thru a light metal frame similar to a rallye dash. You heat the plastic tab and lightly pry to pop each one thru. The stub will then be the shape of the hole. Reassemble by putting in place and reheating / squashing the tab and where needed melt in some scraps... or if deemed necessary some super glue.

67 GTX · Apr 26, 2018

dadsbee said:
I'm assuming the plastic tabs are thru a light metal frame similar to a rallye dash. You heat the plastic tab and lightly pry to pop each one thru. The stub will then be the shape of the hole. Reassemble by putting in place and reheating / squashing the tab and where needed melt in some scraps... or if deemed necessary some super glue.

View attachment 598977 View attachment 598978 View attachment 598979

On mine the metal frame isn't melted in place, but everything else looks similar. What did you use for scraps?

dadsbee · Apr 26, 2018

I had a broken cluster panel. Any styrene, like what comes in a model kit would work. You said you were putting a new lens in, so you shouldn't need any scraps.

Ron H · Apr 26, 2018

Allow me to jump in with a related topic as I'm looking to refurbish the lenses on a dash bezel. One fellow member suggested using Meguiar's PlastX. I got this at the auto store recently but haven't tried it on the lens as yet. it worked nice for some interior (non-chromed) trim pieces to brighten those up.

67 GTX · Apr 26, 2018

dadsbee said:
I had a broken cluster panel. Any styrene, like what comes in a model kit would work. You said you were putting a new lens in, so you shouldn't need any scraps.

Is styrene what most plastic models are made from? I have plenty of scraps left over from those, especially like the square pieces that formed the outer cases for what holds the actual parts.

Ron H said:
Allow me to jump in with a related topic as I'm looking to refurbish the lenses on a dash bezel. One fellow member suggested using Meguiar's PlastX. I got this at the auto store recently but haven't tried it on the lens as yet. it worked nice for some interior (non-chromed) trim pieces to brighten those up.

Did it clear up scratches? Mine are pretty scratched.

Ron H · Apr 26, 2018

67 GTX said:
Is styrene what most plastic models are made from? I have plenty of scraps left over from those, especially like the square pieces that formed the outer cases for what holds the actual parts.

Did it clear up scratches? Mine are pretty scratched.

Have not tried it yet; but there's another post where it was said it worked nicely and I'll sift through my conversations to see if I can find it. As you know it's SO easy to scratch these even a light removal of dust on them with a finger tip. My brother who is super picky keeping his car clean uses a very soft brush to clean dust and says it has worked well. The directions on the Meg's bottle talks about cleaning headlights so my take is their directions are too aggressive for dash lenses. Ensure all dust is removed rinse well and let air dry or use a soft clean towel. Use a very soft towel or micro-fiber pad to apply the product and it says to wipe off before it dries with clean micro-fiber towel. OK, well...this is what I'm going to try so can't tell ya yet if it works.

67 GTX · Apr 27, 2018

Has anyone found a company that produces the dash lens for 67 b bodies? My searches only resulted in finding ones for 68 and up.

benbuilder · Sep 1, 2019

Dadsbee,
I am going to take my rallye dash lens apart. I see you took yours apart. Can i make the plastic lens to replace the existing? It appears i can. And any idea how thick the plastic is? Thanks

Dash Cluster Plastic Lens

67 GTX

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aeon280

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dadsbee

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67 GTX

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dadsbee

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67 GTX

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dadsbee

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Ron H

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67 GTX

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Ron H

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67 GTX

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benbuilder

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