Topic: Speedometer/Tachometer Lense Cleaning

[cjackel]

 
Here's the issue:

It looks like the original owner cleaned the inside of the speedo and tach lenses, as
I can see smear marks and wiping streaks, when the light hits them at certain angles.

How does one remove these to clean without dinging up the cases?

 I looked at mine
and there's no evidence that they were pried apart or opened.

The article posted on the web describes using a screwdriver, but it seems like it
would leave evidence of opening. My speedo and tach look brand-new except for
the streaks and smears inside the lenses.

[MRieck]

Those smears are normal. Apparently as the guages age it becomes more noticable. It os probably because of sun exposure, hot/cold cycling, condensation etc. Some are worse than others too.

[fergie]

Ive got the same smears on my 78 550 and I know mine have never been apart. cheers Fergie

[cben750f0]

just a thought... found these on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4542721323&category=50463

[cb750_chris]

It probably involves taking the instruments out from the back.  I intend on doing this by removing the adhesive holding them into the body.  It seems similar to liquid nails to me.  This may leave some evidence of tampering though so I am only doing this because my guage bodys are shot.  Not just to clean up the lense or instument face. 

[cb750_chris]

P.S.  Don't use glass cleaner on plastic lenses.  You know all those plastice window jeeps and sidekicks you see with fogy windows.   Ammonia doesn't like plastic.   You should only use water + maybee some soap to clean plastic. 

[750deepsouth]

I can endorse the ebay item mention by chen

[cben750f0]

CBen mate... CBEN!!!... hahaha... cool....

[750deepsouth]

Cben - oppps - sorry 

[kghost]

You can take them apart by spreading the band (chrome) that holds the gauge together. I start on the back as small imperfections are less noticable when reassembled. A second set of hands is really helpful when rounding the strip back on the gauge on reassembly. Ditto on the use of PLASTIC cleaner, ammonia bad. Heres a picture of some I made and a face sticker I made up.

[eldar]

Well I cant find it right now but I am sure someone else knows the site. It was in the greenspun forums, It was a socal site that had instructions on how to take apart the housings to clean and lube them.

[Bob Wessner]

I think this is the link you are referring to;

http://www.salocal.com/sohc/tech/speedo/spedo1.htm