Dash Gauge Restoration

So not that I had to put the dash in to test fit the Ididt steering column and assembly, I started on getting the 66 SS gauges restored.

Started with this...

Cleaned up the front and painted it black, used DupliColor TRIM Black that seems to match it perfectly. Not too shiny and not too dull - freshed it up quite a bit.

Cleaned up the outside of the housing too, then painted it with clear to keep any moisture from creating more rust pockets again.

Looking for the paint to match the color on the inside of the gauge housing. It's not bad but I'd like to get rid of the old paint and the rust that's there and repaint it.

Getting some inside gauge housing paint from a fellow member on "Team Chevelle", so I decided to wirebrush and POR-15 it. Awaiting the paint so I can paint the interior of the gauge housing then start to re-assemble the gauge.

Even though I have an SS dash & gauges already, the gauges in the dash needed to be restored so why not go with NEW gauges??? So I received the new "ShiftWorks 66 - 67 conversion gauges". I tried a test fit and it seemd the backing plates just did NOT fit the new gauges. After making sure I didn't have them in backwards or sideways or upside down. I dropped a visit to the ShiftWorks website and sent them a note. Herb responded with a note stating the new gauges are meant for a conversion - a Malibu to Chevelle SS gauge conversion. He stated that if you already have SS gauges you need to get the new ShiftWorks SS backing plates and agreed to send a set to me. When I got them the SS ShiftWorks backing plates, it all came together. With a few new holes to drill in the SS backing plates and a bulb hole cut in the mounting plate of the new gauges - these fit like a charm.

Here's a picture of the front and back of the dash housing with the ShiftWorks SS backing plates. The interior of the housing has black primer and is ready for paint.

Inner housing is now painted and ready to load all the components back inside it.

Gauges in the housing and test fit the inner faceplate

ShiftWorks gauges from the back with the SS backing plates

The finished product