Hello guys. I've followed the Chairpilot advice to restore my old Veglia clock plastic, dull and opaque for the years of UV radiation. I've bought a drill press and an approximately 2" hole saw -I used it with the pilot bit removed-. After carefully I've drilled a plastic methacrylate photo frame, thick less than 2 mm. A little bit craftmanship retouching the borders with a nail file, and finally drilling a hole for the pin with a hand drill. The final result is perfect. Thanks Chairpilot! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Jesper. The chromed ring is attached to the white plastic body of the clock by pressure. You must separate it with caution with a little flat screwdriver. If you go to the Chairpilot thread here http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173069&page=2 you will understand it better. After that, once the chromed ring is out, you must pull out carefully the chromed pin to set up the clock. After that you can separate the clear dull plastic, and the two black rings. The last part to go out is the blue transparent plastic ring, that colorize the light of the clock. To assemble it back again, simply go this procedure backwards. I hope this helps
I took my clock out to do this, but upon inspection of the chrome ring I chickened out, in fear of dentaing/warping it when bending it back into place. What did you guys use to do this without leaving any marks or dents?
For those of you who don't want to do major surgery to get an improved appearance, you might check out this past thread of mine: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143441
Good job Antonio!! I recall that finding the right thickness plastic was the most critical part. Mike C - I could not use your remedy because my lense was actually yellowed it was so faded. But, your approach/method is excellent!! f308jack: yes, the chrome ring does get rippled along the bottom edge upon removal but after you press it back down (crimp it) the wavy edge is hidden by the leather around it. Sorry for the poor picture, but I think you get the idea. Bob Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi f308jack To remove the chromed ring follow the Chairpilot method, with a flat screwdriver, forcing gently the back of the ring lip to free the white plastic. To force again the chromed lip to hold the clock white plastic part, the best way is to use the hole of the photo frame plastic from you have made the new lens. Just put the clock upside down inside the hole and you will have protected by the plastic the front part of the chromed ring. After you can use pliers to press the back of the chromed ring, without leaving marks on the front of the chromed ring -remember, protected by the photo plastic frame-. I hope this helps.
The alternative may be, if you look around your local area and find a company that does waterjet cutting, it will be a piece of cake. Give them the sample and the blank and away you go. Just a thought. Cheers MG
Thanks for the suggestion. I've tried to find someone here to cut the plastic, with no success. The answer is so simple: minimum thickness 2 mm. The Veglia glass is approx.1,5 mm thick, so... I've tried also laser cut, and the answer is the same, 2 mm minimum. I've tried someone to do it on glass; again, too thin, minimum 2 mm. As Chairpilot noted, this is the real problem to solve. Regards
sweet thanks for the idea, I was in my other Italian yesterday, & I tapped the fuel guage to get it working & I cracked the glass. This is a great way to repair. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Magnum. I am probably the worst "handyman" there is. And I have the same clock problem as you. So my question is could you please PLEASE do a new clock plastic for me and send it to me. Of course I pay you for the job. Please answer me when you have time. Best Regards MrSweden
I recently repaired the clock in my '61 Mercedes 180b. It too had the plastic "crystal". I disassembled the clock, much the same way as has been described here, and polished the plastic with Meguires plastic polish. Here's the before: http://www.aubard.us/180b/clock1.JPG and the after: http://www.aubard.us/180b/clock4.jpg I now need to do the same process on my 308GTB's clock.
Hi Max. I know that's not an easy job, of course. If someone has not the skill and the patience to craft it, it's a hard work. OK. I will try to manufacture another one, as best as I can. As soon as I get the time I will let you know and I will ship it to you. Cheers
Hi mcaputo. To remove the clock you need only to remove the 2 screws on the little raised centre console. After, push out gently the little console support with a flat screwdriver -watch out with the leather-. Maybe is glued. Try to not bend the part. When it comes out you must unscrew the two aluminium hand nuts of the back of the clock. After that, the last part is to disconnect the 3 wires, two faston connectors and a third one, hidden under a white plastic cylinder. You must open the white plastic part containing one connector. And the clock is out! Cheers
Hi rolindsay. The Mercedes clock looks nice! Of course I tried before PlastX and other plastic polishers, with no results. The problem is that all the plastic is faded and yellowed by the UV radiation, not scratched. Is not a surface problem, is the plastic itself!!! So the only way was to manufacture a new one... Show us your result with the 308 clock. Cheers
Magnum, Do not trouble yourself with making another. I'll be glad do it to for MrSweden. Max, - you have PM from me
This is way I love this forum, everyone is so nice and helpful. Thanks for helping me out. // Max ( MrSweden)
Hi Chairpilot and Max. Well, if Bob wants to work a little more, for me no problem. I've just started working on it but don't bother about it! Glad to help other Fchatters anyway!!! ;-)))) Keep me posted!!!
