ReddRex7

iTrader: (4)

While detailing the interior of my fd I came across an odd problem. I noticed that the silver term rings around the gauge faces had oxidized slightly and had lost their luster. I've tried basic cleaning wipes, no luck. I then tried glass cleaner, still no luck. I know these are probably not made from actual metal elements and just paint, I tried neverdull in a small area and this just turned the silver to a dark color, almost black. After the application of the neverdull it almost looks like heavily oxidized silver jewelry. Has anyone had this happen? Is there a compound to remedy this?

SeanB

Never seen it specifically, but maybe you could try some rubbing compound and a Dremel with one of the little cloth buffing wheels...

Sephek

iTrader: (20)

They are most likely "chrome" coated, anything abrasive you do do it will end up removing the coat completely exposing only the plastic part (similar to headlight housings).
The newer versions had black rings which look better imo.

ReddRex7

iTrader: (4)

That's what I was thinking. They seem chrome coated, that polish I used most likely was stripping the chrome off. I guess I will just have to strip it all down and go black.

He||hammer

iTrader: (5)

I noticed this as well, anyone have a simple solution?

ReddRex7

iTrader: (4)

Well after contemplating what to do about this I came to the conclusion that the silver had to be completely removed. What I ended up doing was stripping the "chrome" off, I used a little brake cleaner on a rag and it came right off. After removing ask the chrome I used plastic polish and cleaned up the trim and gauge faces. The end product looks pretty good with the trim rings looking something like black chrome and nice clear plastic over the gauge faces. Not too shabby I must add. Hope this helps! :-)

ReddRex7

iTrader: (4)

Finished product

foxrace4

iTrader: (4)

I am having this same issue with my gauges. I will definitely use your methods to strip the chrome off. I am thinking about painting the rings red though to match my car. I have no clue a good way to pair them

ReddRex7

iTrader: (4)

The black looks pretty nice in my opinion, and a lot less work than masking and painting the rings.

Sephek

iTrader: (20)

That came out pretty good, like the black 99spec clusters.

foxrace4

iTrader: (4)

Well I have a semi finished product of my bezels. I actually found an easy way to get them painted. This is a mock up pic and not fully installed as I am doing something else to the gauges at the moment.