Instrument Cluster Bezel

Recently, while removing the (apparently booby trapped) headlight switch from my 90 coupe, I noticed my dash bezel had seen better days. With the switch happily making its way toward Jim Finn, I decided to work on the bezel.

It was fairly rough around the edges. I started by fixing the front plastic back on the backing with industrial adhesive where the factory clips had broken.

<a href="http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/pontiacdude210/media/90%20Reatta%20Coupe/20150218_225822_zpsxojvowon.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/pontiacdude210/90%20Reatta%20Coupe/20150218_225822_zpsxojvowon.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150218_225822_zpsxojvowon.jpg"/></a>

Then I decided the chrome looked bad. Using plastic paint and a model brush, I went over the original, now flaking trim with gloss black.

<a href="http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/pontiacdude210/media/90%20Reatta%20Coupe/20150219_003659_zps2nzaupln.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/pontiacdude210/90%20Reatta%20Coupe/20150219_003659_zps2nzaupln.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150219_003659_zps2nzaupln.jpg"/></a>

All in all, I'm happy with how it turned out. I've always been interested in integrating more black and less chrome into my Reatta, I like the sleeker look to it. I'm excited to see it in the car when the switch comes back.

The all black bezel looks great! I agree with you, better all black than 1/2 the chrome removed. Depending on the condition of the chrome on all your bezels here is a huge tip for the group. Sharpie now makes a silver metallic pen that looks very much like chrome. When you apply it it comes out pretty thick and covers very well. It works extremely well for chrome trim that has black seeping through. I did not need to do this trick with my Reatta but both my 1974 and 1983 Oldsmobiles have had this treatment. The repair is virtually invisible and really freshens up your interior. This would not work with 1/2 the chrome gone like in your case PontiacDude as you would be able to tell where the sharpie lines are and the original chrome is. For a case like yours (not that you would want to do this as your repair looks great) but for someone that wanted to retain the chrome look, you would have to do the whole trim line with the sharpie to look right. I did the script "Oldsmobile" glovebox emblem 100% and it looks great, just like new.

The all black bezel looks great! I agree with you, better all black than 1/2 the chrome removed. Depending on the condition of the chrome on all your bezels here is a huge tip for the group. Sharpie now makes a silver metallic pen that looks very much like chrome. When you apply it it comes out pretty thick and covers very well. It works extremely well for chrome trim that has black seeping through. I did not need to do this trick with my Reatta but both my 1974 and 1983 Oldsmobiles have had this treatment. The repair is virtually invisible and really freshens up your interior. This would not work with 1/2 the chrome gone like in your case PontiacDude as you would be able to tell where the sharpie lines are and the original chrome is. For a case like yours (not that you would want to do this as your repair looks great) but for someone that wanted to retain the chrome look, you would have to do the whole trim line with the sharpie to look right. I did the script "Oldsmobile" glovebox emblem 100% and it looks great, just like new.

I will have to try that with my other coupe. Is that a paint pen? My second 90 coupe seems to have lived a much easier life than the one pictured, and the chrome is not scratched up, just, like you said, black plastic seeping through.

I'm going to remember that trick for the next time I run across a bike that's been nicely restored but is missing half the chrome paint on the original logos also.

I have a 1990 Buick Reatta.  How do you get the bezel off without destroying it?  I have to replace my light switch.  Thanks.

I have a 1990 Buick Reatta.  How do you get the bezel off without destroying it?  I have to replace my light switch.  Thanks.

You will find this helpful: Digital Dash Panel [iPC] Removal - '90 & '91 Models