Has anyone removed the clear lense for gauge cluster?

[4sdvenom]

I don't mean just unbolting the lense and bezel from the factory gauge cluster but actually seperating the clear lense from the bezel its bonded to?

I want to paint the bezel portion and then reglue the clear lense back in place. I figured some heat would work, but I don't want to melt it either.

Anyone succesfully seperated the 2 parts?


Thanks,
Ken

 

[EvilTwins]

I sized that up when I removed mine, I just wanted to seperate it to clean the lense but it looked like such a PITA I just ordered a new assembly rather than cleaning mine... I think you'd have a hard time seperating the two without breaking it..

 

[03cobra#694]

^^^Where have you been?I remember a while back you were going somewhere for work,is that right?

 

[black 10th vert]

It can definitely be done, as mine is separate now (bought it that way). The car came with the UPR billet aluminum gauge surround piece, and that has to be glued to the black part with clear silicone. I have taken it apart to clean out some annoying dust that had gotten in there, and having it separated makes that task much easier! It looked to me like you had to cut the bonded areas carefully with a fine hacksaw blade, or something similar. Maybe the UPR website would have installation directions for that billet part that would walk you through the separation technique?

 

[EvilTwins]

^^^Where have you been?I remember a while back you were going somewhere for work,is that right?

Wow good memory! Yup that's right I'm still working overseas, about 11,000 miles away from my car!! Totally new build waiting for me back home, it's like torture :shrug:

 

[85FourEyedGT]

Yea i been wanting to do the same thing because i have a carbon fiber gauge surround

 

[SLPRCTM]

If I remember correctly, the clear lense comes right off. I installed a Hilton boost overlay and had no problems getting to the gauge face.

 

[Digital]

If I remember correctly, the clear lense comes right off. I installed a Hilton boost overlay and had no problems getting to the gauge face.

+1, just a series of "torque" bolts.

 

[SLPRCTM]

+1, just a series of "torque" bolts.

I think you mean "torx" bolts. :thumbsup:

 

[ReCoil]

Skip cleaning it, just buy a new lens. They're only $40 bucks at AmericanMuscle.com and it's a direct Ford OEM part. I bought one for mine when I installed my Hilton Boost Overlay and it improves the look 1000% since my old one had lots of little scratches and swirls from people cleaning it with God knows what..

Ford Black Instrument Bezel & Clear Lens (99-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

 

[clone93gt]

tousley has them for 21 bucks just bought mine

 

[SpectorV]

i tried to remove one before and made a mess of it.. it can be done but you have to be careful, also when putting it back on... sometimes the adhesive will mess up the clear part and you can see it FYI so be careful here as well.

 

[4sdvenom]

If I remember correctly, the clear lense comes right off. I installed a Hilton boost overlay and had no problems getting to the gauge face.

+1, just a series of "torque" bolts.

I think you mean "torx" bolts. :thumbsup:

As I said in my original post starting this thread. I don't mean just removing the bezel and lense as one piece, which yes is just the 8 torx screws. I want to seperate the clear lense from the bezel its bonded to, which has nothing to do with changing gauge faces or adding overlays.

If I were just cleaning it I would buy another, but I am painting the bezel behind the clear lense.

I'll figure it out!
KK