One part I can't seem to find for my 65 F-100 Custom Cab is a bezel for the instrument cluster. The pictures below show the old one from two angles. I need the entire grey plastic piece that is the full width of the two pictures. All the part places on my trucks' web page at http://www.swatek.com/truck.htm haven't panned out. If you know where I can get one of these in new condition, please email me at mike@swatek.com. Thanks.

Mike Swatek
Claremore, OK
http://www.swatek.com/truck.htm

http://www.swatek.com/mike/65truck/DashLeft65sm.jpg http://www.swatek.com/mike/65truck/Dash65sm.jpg

 

I have several, but they are in the same condition as your picture! If you want to spend the $$$, check out some venders in Hemmings who specialize in "rechroming " plastic parts. I would ask them if the engine turned detailing of the Ford cluster will still show thru. I didn't want to spend the $$$ so I tried this: I masked my cluster surround and LIGHTLY sprayed rattle can chrome paint on it. Then I carefully repainted the paint areas in original colors. It isn't as shiny as new, but looks very nice just the same..

 

Try this: http://www.mrgusa.com/pdfs/RechromeFord40-43.pdf
Scott

 

I can remeamber when my 65's bezel was still mint.
It's not cromed but was irodesent (SP?) that is to say it flashed several rainbow colors in thos star paterns. I've been hunting down a way to refreash it my self. I here you can get a rattle can from a fabric store but haven't goten that far yet.

44

 

I sent my bezel to a rechroming outfit up north (Minn. or Wis.). It took them about a month but when I got it back, it looked better than a new one. Cost about 75 bucks but it sure looks good.

 

Sure appreciate all the good feedback. Sounds like the recoating route may be the best way to go. However, mine has some cracks around the outside, due to screw overtightening. If you know where I can get one of these in reasonable used condition with no cracks, please email me at mike@swatek.com. Thanks.

Mike Swatek
Claremore, OK
http://www.swatek.com/truck.htm

 

I had mine done by American Plastic Chrome (look on the intranet). They charged about $75.00 and it came back like new (or better). they specialize in dash bazels and had an on-line quote for what you want. They claim that they use the origional process. What ever they did, they did it right. Do not use the chrome paint, I tried that once. Never again!!! the stuff comes off with a slight rub, and even if your carefull, it only looks OK for a short time. SPENT THE $75.00 its worth it.

 

>I have several, but they are in the same condition as your
>picture! If you want to spend the $$$, check out some
>venders in Hemmings who specialize in "rechroming " plastic
>parts. I would ask them if the engine turned detailing of
>the Ford cluster will still show thru. I didn't want to
>spend the $$$ so I tried this: I masked my cluster surround
>and LIGHTLY sprayed rattle can chrome paint on it. Then I
>carefully repainted the paint areas in original colors. It
>isn't as shiny as new, but looks very nice just the same..

Do you have any used ones without any cracks. Mine has cracks on the edges where the screws were over-tightened.

Mike Swatek
Claremore, OK
58 & 65 F-100 Styleside Custom Cabs
http://www.swatek.com/truck.htm

 

 

Appreciate all the feedback. A person browsing this forum contacted me about a used bezel in good restorable shape and I bought it. Now it's going off to American Plastic Chrome for a proper plating. That's sure going to look good on the other side of the steering wheel. Suppose I'll need to restore the steering wheel now, to not spoil the view of the bezel...

Mike Swatek
Claremore, OK
58 & 65 F-100 Styleside Custom Cabs
http://www.swatek.com/truck.htm