OK, hopefully this one get's through...

The textured gray paint on my 220's speedo bezel is cracking, and a dime-sized portion has separated from the bezel and is in imminent danger of flaking right off. Is there anything I can use to coat the bezel in order to arrest and/or reverse this?

I don't want to strip and repaint the bezel as it's not that far gone - most of the paint is still flawless. Moreover, I don't have any way of replicating the unique original texture of the gray paint.

Thanks in advance.

daniel

I superglued a little flake back on mine. Be advised if you ever want it all brass or repainted, that superglue ain't coming off the brass easilly.
--
Bob W.
'91 744T 173K
'82 245Ti 238K
'81 245 GLT, non-turbo 275K
'67 122 wagon

You might be able to find something to touch it up but mostly it is pretty
much all or nothing. Once the paint starts letting go you can't make the
degradation go backward. (See the laws of thermodynamics)
Or you can ignore it, like I do. The metal underneath is brass and it
doesn't rust.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

George;

I agree that once started, there's not much one can do to reverse the seperation and flaking process, but that's gotta be the FIRST time I heard it related to thermodynamics!!!

Daniel;

Short of removing the instrument cluster, preping and repainting with "crinkle paint" of the correct color (...and who knows if one can find that, but some outfits custom mix and fill spray cans - beware: the minimum order!), there's not a lot which can be done...another idea: After getting the right crinkle paint (test paint on something for match), prep and paint inst cluster in situ, by removing steering wheel for access, very carefuly removing all remaining paint (chemical stripper or mechanical means - probably better), ruogh up surface better (which is why I believe the paint is peeling in the first place...they ALL do it - the brass surface which is revealed is too smooth to be able to hold onto paint!...I just don't know about that thermodynamics thing...), mask, prime, paint...reassemble, impress at the next concourse...

... that does seem like a lot of work...I suppose if your car is a concourse queen, you might be able to justify it, but I have other things to do...

Cheers

Daniel,

Last spring, when I returned to Texas after 4 years in the Bay Area, with my Napa Valley born and raised '67 122, the crinkle paint was perfect. Three months in the Austin heat, and 3 areas seperated from the smooth brass undersurface. Dang.

I disagree with Ron, not about the need to properly prep the brass surface before repairing, but about it not being worth the effort unless going for prizes.

The crinkle paint is one of the truly unique textures of the interior design. For that reason alone, I'll fix mine, if only for the pure, personal pleasure factor.

I recently "aquired" a couple of complete 122's, both originally from Colorado, then 8 years here in Texas. For some reason the crinkle paint is uncracked? It set? One cluster has better oil/gen/turn/highbeam indicator lenses than mine, so I'll probably just do a swap. The odometer is not accurate in my car anyway, as it was unhooked for an unknown time by the previous owner.

I saw a picture today, don't remember where, of a new 122 Instrument cluster. The crinkle paint was a lighter "cream" color than the darker green/gray of most others that I've seen.

gary

Thermodynamics-
First law of thermo in the vernacular = you can't win.
Second law = you can't even come out even.

In other words, everything gets worse with age. Notable exceptions
include women, mechanics (no substitute for experience, up to a point),
wine, salami, certain kinds of cheeses and other fermented products.

Once degradation starts it is not likely that you can reverse it.

This is the kind of thing that makes me think it takes a LOT more faith
to believe in evolution than to believe in God. also there are no laws
without a lawmaker.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma