rally gauges

[FC7 CUDA]

Has anyone used the decal from performance graphix woodgrain decal for there rally gauges? Was it easy to install?

[loco340cuda]

I have recently (in the last 6 months).  I took the gauges out and had the metal housing sand blasted and then painted them with a flat black (I also repainted the needles with a bright orange).  I then put the decals on and then put the gauges back together.  They actually came out pretty good.  Here is a picture of the gauges right after I finished them.  I have since put the gauges back into the dash and I must say they look pretty nice. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of them in the dash right now.

This is definitely a low cost way to refresh your gauges without breaking the bank.  I would have no problem recommending the decal route especially if funds are tight.

[JayBee]

I think he's asking about the woodgrain overlay and not the actual gauges.

[loco340cuda]

Thanks Jaybee!  I saw PCG and immediately thought about the gauge faces, sorry about that FC7 Cuda. 

I don't have any experience with PCG's woodgrain decal but years ago I used a wood grain decal from another manufacturer (I can't remember who) on my rallye dash and I was not real happy with it.  Two issues I had, 1) overtime the decal shrunk and pulled away in the area where the dash face bends.  2) the holes where blinker lights are where not cut big enough and did not look quite right.  If it was not for these two issues you would not have been able to tell it was a decal but because of them it kinda ruined the look.  As far as installing it goes, it was not too bad.

Just as another data point, when I restored my gauges late last year I also bought the replacement woodgrain/metal face plate (this did not include the thicker metal that attaches the the plastic bezel).  I removed the old woodgrain/metal face plate from the thicker metal and replaced it with the new one and now the rallye gauges look like new with the new woodgrain face plate and the redone gauges.  If you can afford the replacement woodgrain face plate I would recommend that route, but if not then the decal is not a bad way to go assuming PCG decal is better then the one I got.

[Racer57]

Instead of a decal, I would use this instead. I know it costs more but this is a good example of doing something correctly the first time and not having to do it again. There might be better prices elsewhere.
http://www.performancecargraphics.com/Dash_Stuff/Woodgrain/E-body_Rallye_Wood_Plates.htm

[loco340cuda]

Instead of a decal, I would use this instead. I know it costs more but this is a good example of doing something correctly the first time and not having to do it again. There might be better prices elsewhere.
http://www.performancecargraphics.com/Dash_Stuff/Woodgrain/E-body_Rallye_Wood_Plates.htm

That is the woodgrain/metal face plate I was talking about.  I bought mine from Classic Industries and it was somewhat cheaper but still not cheap.  Also it was shipped flat I had to bend it to fit.  The nice thing about the PCG piece is it comes pre-bent.

[FC7 CUDA]

Thanks for the input guys .. I have not decided which way to go but leaning toward the new plate..Is it the same gauge metal?

[JayBee]

I couldn't tell any difference in the thickness of the one I replaced. Mind you though, the one I bought was the same year they first came out. That was ages ago and from RT-Eng. Whether that product changed any, I don't know but I doubt it. Wait a minute, the price certainly changed.

[Racer57]

To give mine the proper bend, I covered both with masking tape and then placed a pipe that was about the same radius in the curve of the old and drew lines onto the new.  Then placed the pipe on the new using the lines I drew as a guide.

[lulurocks]

Instead of a decal, I would use this instead. I know it costs more but this is a good example of doing something correctly the first time and not having to do it again. There might be better prices elsewhere.
http://www.performancecargraphics.com/Dash_Stuff/Woodgrain/E-body_Rallye_Wood_Plates.htm

It's worth every penny  , and fits like a glove . Plus the guys are  good guys ..

[AARuFAST]

I replaced the wood grain on our AAR.
in 2006 it has the wood grain on the metal backing.
Remove the old panel.
 Clean old glue from dash.
Apply CONTACT CEMENT to both dash panel and back of wood grain panel.
don't make it lumpy.

Buy it at Lowe's or home depot. Glue is in small can brown color.
They use it on floor tile and counter tops.