Removing clear plastic panel from gauge cluster NA

[Dweezle]

Ok.. Lil help??





I am trying to figure out how to remove the clear panel without breaking it.
I have tried the hot water method with no luck.

I believe i have freed the little plastic bits that appear to be melted slightly holding it on.


Does anyone have any secrets?
Plenty of people seem to get it free.

Thanks greatly in advance



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[Muzdaman]

Add salt, bring up to temp, boil for 10 mins and serve??

[Muzdaman]

just looked at mine and I'm pretty sure its glued along the bottom, and maybe the top.
the KG works panel i have uses the stock black plastic part and they remove the clear bit, mine has some visible spots were you can see that some of the clear plastic has been left on the black part.

So if a clean separation is tough for KG works, who must have done it a thousand times or more,its going to be tough to do it perfect first time.

heat, patience and some small flathead screwdrivers to slowly pry it off?

Also you'll probably need to cut off the little clear plastic locators on the back underneath the spots for the water and fuel gauges. they look like they have been melted on mine to secure the lens.

[Dweezle]

Add salt, bring up to temp, boil for 10 mins and serve??

Haha


i tried small flat screwdrivers but it just starts to crack the plastic before ot starts to give.
Maybe i need more heat.

Otherwise, maybe people are cutting the plastic off with a dremel and then gluing it back on?

I have seen a ton of cars with like a stainless panel surrounding the gauges. I just assumed it would come out easily enough.. ugh

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[Muzdaman]

saw a post on m.net about using a sharp blade to score between to 2 parts to break the bond, and to put all the pressure on the black plastic side to save the lens from cracking.

And apparently the glue is heat activated, so more hotter.

Edit:

Plus this.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.php? ... stcount=23

[Dweezle]

Cheers MUZDAMAN!!

Much appreciated.

[Mr Morlock]

The usual method of manufacture is either a glued lense to a housing or it may even be welded. When its made it's leak tested so that it does not get dust or ingress of moisture etc. Its not designed to be removed. If you break the bead then you have to reseal it and then what product does this reliably? If you did happen to break the lense then you will not be able to buy a lense replacement as these are not serviced. Incidentally if it is hot melt glue this is an engineering hot melt which is not procurable except for the oem's who have the right equipment to apply it. It may be possible to reheat it but not sure of the temp and whether it will reseal effectively and it is not nice stuff to have in an oven. The lense is probably PMMA .

[taminga16]

Try using dental floss with a sawing motion, it is a safe way to remove things that have been attached with double sided tape as well.
Best.
Greg.

[slug_dub]

I just cut it off when I separated one of mine. I didn't try to heat it to loosen the glue, but I do believe I read the piece is electro-welded or something (not sure if thats the technical term!).

I then kept it reattached by liberal but judicious use of electrical tape. ;)

[Hammer]

I used a dremel with a flat disc and used it in strategic places along the edges of the cowling. I was eventually able to pull it apart after a while.