59/60 Lark inst. clusters

[BRUCESTUDE]

Most 59-60 Larks that I'veseen have crappy looking lettering on the speedo and instrument cluster; it's either faded, gone, or looking like the lettering paint has lifted off the glass. I attempted to clean the inside of the speedo glass on a spare unit that I have, with diluted windex and a paper towel, and that removed all the lettering! Obviously whomever made these units used the cheapest paint available. Here is a picture of a parts car to illustrate this:

Does anyone know who may redo these? The ones in my Lark are not bad, but far from perfect, and I like looking at nice gauges when I drive!

[StudeRich]

Yeah, pretty crummy Decals, they only lasted 57 Years!

[Skybolt]

I was going to look into getting mine redone with vinyl on the inside of the glass but have not as yet been so motivated.

Len

[abkco]

SI was selling nos clusters for 250 each.

[Warren Webb]

I bought the one in my 61 Champ from Newman & Altman back in the very early 90's for around $16.00 It was the whole assembly, speedo, fuel & temp gauges with idiot lights. Seems that this would be good candidate for someone to make a decal for the inside of the glass on these.

[Don Kelstrom]

Hey Bruce, I would try taking a picture of a good one, copy it into your computer, clean it up on the computer, and print a decal. Otherwise a sign shop should be able to make you a decal from your picture.

[pinehurstbob]

Had the same thing happen when I cleaned mine. Took the glass to a sign painter with a photo of a dash and you would never know that it is not original now.
Bob

[TX Rebel]

I just got a call last night from a friend in need of an inst cluster glass w/good decal for his Champ...

[Commander Eddie]

You can also re-create the numbers and letters on your computer and then print them on Avery decal material available at any stationery or office supply store. Just wet and slide them on.

[garyash]

Unfortunately, those gauge glasses cannot be done with water slide decals unless you have a printer that can print with white ink. The decal stock is available in clear background or white background, but that doesn't allow printing white numbers without white ink. I created the artwork and tried silk screening on some glass circles, but it's tough to get white silk screen ink to stick really well to glass and not smear it. I think I know how to make some decent replacement glasses for early Larks and T-cab trucks, but it would take about 50 orders from non-CASO's to start to make it worth the effort. Show me the money!

Here are the best of glasses that I made a few years back.

[StudeRich]

Very good work Gary, did you re-use an Original Glass to apply your new "Decals" to?

[TWChamp]

How about the glow in the dark hands and letters for 1950 Champion gauges?

Does anyone renew them?

[abkco]

That is great looking cluster. Nice job, Gary

[BRUCESTUDE]

Thanks for the input and ideas! Gary-that looks real nice, by far better than any originals I've seen!

[garyash]

The glass circles can be made by any local glass shop. They usually have a small glass cutting tool mounted on a rotating arm to scribe the circle in the glass. The real trick is getting the circle out of the rest of the sheet. I think they scribe some straight lines almost tangent to the circle and break off pieces. It's a lot easier to pay them to do it than spend time developing the skill myself.

If you want to try screen printing something, all you need is some artwork printed out in black and white, the right kind of ink, and some screen material from http://ezscreenprint.com. Have at it!