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- 2008 Mazda5 GT
Has anyone done any mods to the gauge cluster? One of the most memorable, which I still enjoy today, mod to the gauge cluster was putting in accent chrome rings. I’m not a fan or white gauge faces tho, go figure. Granted it was another car and the rings were a direct fit (Cefiro = Maxima/I30) and was very easy to do. It really makes the cluster much more inviting to look at and adds a touch of lux (yeah yeah, ecno van). Anyhow, the current setup with one gray ring around the center gauge make me think of a cyclopes -dislike. I don’t believe any vendor offers a direct fit product, especially since other than the center gauge, the two side ones are cut-off circles, making it harder to source rings and having to cut to fit. But this does not prevent one from trying to paint it chrome!
I have never painted anything chrome and I understand it is a process. Still not sure if a white or black base is best or what brand works. I’m not looking for show chrome but rather just a nice reflective surface. Since the part does not get touched and is enclosed, it does not matter that it is not durable like real chrome platting.
So, anyone here done chrome painting on “plastic” with success? Has anyone taken apart the gauge cluster and do the three rings come off (that would make it super easy), or is it one piece with the gauge plate (I’d rather not deal with taping it off and don’t want the whole panel to be chrome)? Anyone want to tackle it first? If successful, chroming the square ring around the manual shift boot would be a nice touch too but I’d stop after that. Don’t want too much bling
:flame suite on for anti chrome comments:
Edit: Also, it would be nice to round out the ring instead of the current flat/squared edge look. Router bit perhaps but the plastic might just melt/deform going through it... idea?
I have never painted anything chrome and I understand it is a process. Still not sure if a white or black base is best or what brand works. I’m not looking for show chrome but rather just a nice reflective surface. Since the part does not get touched and is enclosed, it does not matter that it is not durable like real chrome platting.
So, anyone here done chrome painting on “plastic” with success? Has anyone taken apart the gauge cluster and do the three rings come off (that would make it super easy), or is it one piece with the gauge plate (I’d rather not deal with taping it off and don’t want the whole panel to be chrome)? Anyone want to tackle it first? If successful, chroming the square ring around the manual shift boot would be a nice touch too but I’d stop after that. Don’t want too much bling
:flame suite on for anti chrome comments:
Edit: Also, it would be nice to round out the ring instead of the current flat/squared edge look. Router bit perhaps but the plastic might just melt/deform going through it... idea?
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