Instrument cluster help please

[RedMerle]

During the summer of 2020 I carefully masked off the instruments on my Trophy and painted the rongs a satin matt black:







That Trophy is now going to a new home and I’ve troed to do it to my new Trophy. Unfortunately, I have a deteriorating shakey hand problem (benign essential tremour) which means that I can’t cut the masking tape accurately enough this time 😢

The rings are bonded, not bolted/screwed in place; does anyone have any experience of successfully removing them? It’d be great if they could be lifted off with a little heat, but I’m concerned not to damage the “glass” .

Any experience out there?

Thanks 

[digital]

It occurs to me to take a compass, to take adhesive paper of the kind that painters use to cover doors, windows, etc. Draw a perfect round circle, then take scissors, cut out, place the paper. For more security, remove the instrument panel, there are about 14 screws in total and remove only the plastic housing with its two rings and once the adhesive paper has been attached, look through the inside of the housing to see if light is visible. Light is visible is a sign that the paper has not been cut well, if light is not visible, you will be sure that you are not going to paint the two transparent windows.

[RedMerle]

It’s an interesting idea digital, I hadn’t thought of that - thank you 👍

Unfortunately, there’s quite a 3 dimensional curve on the glass which only just about handles 1” masking tape without creasing

Fortunately, I now have a solution having just spoken to artist sister 😁 I’m posting the instrument panel to her and her equally arty daughter! They have been kind enough to do the scalpel work for me 😁

Thanks again!

[RedMerle]

Okay - one final attack and it’s sorted!!

2 x Tablets of primidone last night and half of one thos morning, along with a modified technique for applying the tape to the glass and I’m away!





3 Coats in, one more to do and I’ll do a picture with the tape removed this evening 👍

[GarminDave]

Neat masking skills look very nice.

[RedMerle]

Thanks Dave 

Just heading out to do the 4th and final coat 

[RedMerle]

All done 

[trophied]

What a transformation!  Looks GREAT!   I was thinking of suggesting 1/4" pin striping tape for the outer and inner edges.