Instrument Panel Restoration
 

Hi,
I need the instrument panel in my '66 LeMans restored, cleaned up, repaired.
My goal is to be able to SEE my damn instruments :) It's a daily driver so I'm not looking for aything high tech plus I'd like to keep it original. Like I said, I'd just like to be able to see my instruments, during the day AND at night.
Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks

How deep are you looking to get? If you just want to see the gauges, some Meguiar's PlastX polish, a microfiber, and some replacement LEDs will do the trick. If you want a full resto - Instrument Specialties or Just Dashes can do the rechroming. Pete Serio at Precision Pontiac or Redline Gaugeworks can fix the gauges. Ames has the woodgrain insert and Parts Place has the blue paint if you don't have an insert.

That's what I needed !! It's a daily driver so I'm not willing to go show quality. As I said, I want to be able to see the gauges but I'm going to check out these places just to see what the prices are. Thanks for your help

Expect $1000 or more for a full resto by one of the places I mentioned above. I've had a few set of gauges done and they've been anywhere between $700 to $1000 alone. If your gauges are working fine there's no need to have them gone through. If I were if your shoes, I'd pull the cluster, clean and polish the lenses, install new bulbs, and freshen up the bezel with a Molotow chrome pen, apply some fresh paint and a new woodgrain insert. Minimal cost and maximum benefit.

It may be possible to replace the lights in the instrument panel without taking the dash panel out of the car. When doing this, you may want to continue to use halogen lights because they don't require specific mounting directions for polarity. LED's typically must be installed in a specific orientation to work correctly. In the context of installing these on your back, under the dash, that can be problematic.

If you get to the point where you believe you need to remove the dash panel to get where you want, you may wish to budget for a replacement. The plastic in your panel is 60 years old and brittle. There's a fairly high likelihood that while taking the panel out, disassembling and re-installing that mounting tabs can be broken. If it comes to that, the repops tend to be of adequate fit and quality for anything other than a concours level show car.

I agree on the PlastiX polish, but do yourself a solid and grab a foam rotory pad for your electric screwdriver. It's gonna do a lot better job than trying to get in there with your hands and a microfiber. If you need some basic touch-up on the chrome edges, get a chrome paint pen off amazon. These do a surprisingly good job at evening out any areas that the vacuum chrome has pealed, or yellowed. Good enough for a daily driver, without the expense of vacuum chroming the dash again.