What the original paint color(s) were used for the back of the rearview mirror? I have one that is black and another that is camel tan? Changed with car color or model year?

Same question: speedo faceplate with wrinkle-finish? Mine is peeled off. I know most are kinda light olive-drab tan now, but think sun fading might have changed it. Any wisdom from the rainy Northwest & BC folks? Tips on a replacement paint color?

My black ext./red interior '65 has semigloss black on the back of the mirror. My instruments have an aged greyish color. Is there a way to take the instruments apart to repaint it? Mine's flaking off.

You won't be able to pull the cluster out the front without swearing alot, getting a stiff neck, and removing the steering column support brace behind the dash. Recommend you instead remove some vent tubing and wires, then slide it down and to the right behind the dash.

It's frustrating being a detail nut! I have two faceplates and need 100% correct color. Anyone got a good late 122 color brochure shot? An NOS gauge cluster stored under Nitrogen, perhaps?

I'd get a second gauge cluster and refurbish that and then swap. Everything comes apart fairly easily. The only irreversible step is the breaking of heat melted tiny plastic studs that allign the body and painted brass frame, but the chromed brass surround clamps all of these compnents together in the end, and I found no problem with this. I cleaned the brass surround very carefully removing the remaining gray paint, and then sanded it very lightly with 320 grit paper to give it some tack for the new paint. Be very careful to clean around the 4 colored plastic lenses for the indicators. They have a white paint incised and when this is gone, it's gone. Mask these with something of the same diameter when respraying. I just used a Krylon grey primer which has adhered very well. Looks great. You could get some wrinkle finish if so inclined.

I recommend removing the whole asembly through the front, and I don't know if you can do this with the dashpad in (maybe with the steering wheel removed) I don't know that it's impossible to remove it rearwards, but there is a lot of wiring and other obstructions, so out through the front is best. Unscrew speedo and unbolt trip meter from steering column, pop off the illumintion lights, remove the 2 retaining nuts - one to each side, and then manipulate the whole assembly so that you can pull it through the opening enough to remove the temp and gas gauges and leave them in the dash.

I've painted one in position by cutting masking tape with fine scissors to cover the gauge lenses and indicator lights, and using newspaper to mask the rest. I'd defy anyone to tell it was done in the vehicle. I used Eastwood wrinkle red. Few paints will stick forever. Seems there is a lot of heating and cooling that expands metal much greater than paint. I have a face that's been chromed, so that's an option too.

I was able to get the cover of mine off (not the whole cluster) and carefully remove it from the dash.

I then sprayed it with paint stripper and polished up the brass. doesn't look stock, but it looks cool!

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