[remy30006]

Has anyone tried the aftermarket dash Bezel that the gauge cluster and heater control attach to? Is it pretty accurate or is it better to try to have the orginal rechromed ?

[Chief of the 60's]

I cannot comment on the repop bezels but what year and color are you dealing with? When I was dealing with this part of a restoration, repops were not available and rechrome or NOS were the only options.

[Peter Serio]

The new dash bezels are very good. Keep in mind that most used bezels are french fried by the sun and many years of summers and winters. After 50+ years the old plastic will crack or warp. This is a very common problem with cars that did not have the extra cost optional dash "cap" pad. Another problem is the gauge housing mounting posts, it's typical for those posts to crack or break. And those are difficult to repair.

FYI: They have decided to make one bezel and sell it for both '64 and '65 Lemans and GTOs. When the cars were new the 64 and 65 bezels were slightly different. Same shape and size. The new bezel fits both year cars but when the cars were brand new the 64 bezel has lines going across the front and the 65 had that camera case texture instead.

Nothing anybody will ever notice on a GTO because you have a swirl design aluminum ('64) or a walnut wood insert ('65) that covers those difference(s).

With the costs of chrome and shipping to and from, the new bezel is a good value for the money. Keep in mind that well aged, sun-bleached 53 year old plastic often will simply not accept fresh chrome as a brand new part will and after all that time & money it ends up looking just "ok" in the car.

One last thought, the new Bezels all come pre-painted on the outside as if you had an all black interior or a car with white or parchment seats. If you have that bronze-gold, dark aqua blue or red you will have to paint the bezel. You may want to paint it even if you have a black interior as the applied paint is not really the right texture. It's too smooth and semi-glossy. The factory paint had an additive in the mixture which allowed the paint to dry with a rough texture. GM did this on-purpose so that the bezel did not reflect into the windshield.

[Chief of the 60's]

I have had quite a few old sun beat bezels rechromed without an issue. Aside some minor warpage at times to the top, the plastic used held up very well to heat and age.

[Cardo]

So which texture does the new bezel have Pete? I'm doing a 65 Lemans, so the texture won't be covered on mine... wrong texture is a deal breaker for me.

[rexus31]

Does anyone have a link for the new bezel?

[Peter Serio]

In words there is no way to describe it. All I can tell you is GM put a special additive into the paint mix to make it dry rough and not "level out." As normal paint would.

You would have to see and inspect an all original un restored bezel to see what I am talking about.

Back then it was called Suede additive. Also keep in mind that the original paint was lacquer which is no longer commonly available in many parts of the US. Except for black getting a color match to a 1960s GM color is not easy. I have taken my old paint chip book with me to the paint store so they could look at that, not much help.

Modern paints just don't look the same as the old pigments. My car's bezel is dark Navy Blue. I ended up using an older dupli-color spray can (allow to dry for at least a month) and top coating mine with a 0-gloss flat lacquer. I did it on a nice hot day (80 degrees) in direct sunlight. I also misted the paint (held back and away) from the bezel on-purpose to imitate the rough texture. I am happy with the way it looks. I could EM a photo or 2 if you would like. Just PM me.

QUOTE=Cardo;5881095]So which texture does the new bezel have Pete? I'm doing a 65 Lemans, so the texture won't be covered on mine... wrong texture is a deal breaker for me.[/QUOTE]

[Peter Serio]

I am sure that our sponsor sells them, www.amesperf.com 1-800-421-2637

Originally Posted by rexus31

Does anyone have a link for the new bezel?

[Cardo]

So does the new bezel have the lines or the camera case texture Pete?

[tempest1964]

Rich, is this what your looking for? It's kinda hard to tell from their picture. Might have to call Ames and ask them.
https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y
PS, says it's for a '65.

[Peter Serio]

The last one that I bought was the lines version. The lines version is the '64 style. If you need the camera case version you may have to send your old one out and have that stripped and re-chromed.

[Cardo]

Thanks guys. I'll give Ames a call, but it looks like i'm going to send mine out. I'll have to look a little closer at it too.... I think it may need a little surgery first. Good to hear from you Tony. Hope your project is still going well.

[Jack P.]

I was told the insert swirl design aluminum ('64) or a walnut wood insert ('65) are different sizes for the repop and need to be ordered for the repop. If true, their must be some difference.

[jeff chmura]

This worked for me with the texture look.....
I used spray bed liner, rustoleum, to give texture. This will be too much texture, but. I leveled it by spraying 0 gloss until I got the texture right.
Pictures don't show that well, but I'll post anyway.
Jeff

[jeff chmura]

The last two pics are just the bedliner before I painted 0 gloss and leveled by spraying multiple coats until desired texture

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by jeff chmura

The last two pics are just the bedliner before I painted 0 gloss and leveled by spraying multiple coats until desired texture

My 65's never looked like that.

[72pontiac]

is the whole top of dash the same as the gauge bezel paint

[jeff chmura]

Chief,
Is that never looked like that good,or bad?

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by jeff chmura

Chief,
Is that never looked like that good,or bad?

I guess I should have been a little clearer. None of my 65's had a dash that looked that rough in texture. Not even the 40,000 miler I had.

When I would have to refinish the dash I used flat and put 2 light coats on at a distance, then laid 1 more on wet. When it dried it was the proper flatness and only slightly rough.

[jeff chmura]

I don't want to hi Jack the original thread from Remy's question....... I'm going to repost to a new thread