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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Gauge restoration?
Posted by: rcarson25 Dec 4 2020, 07:09 AM
So, I am getting down to some details on my 914 build and I am looking at gauge restoration. I called(straight to voicemail) and emailed North Hollywood but have not heard back yet. I am trying to get an idea of the cost of gauge restoration. No major issues with my gauges that I am aware of but would like them to look fresh as the whole rest of the car will be as well. I know this can vary a lot based on the condition issues etc. would anyone mind sharing their cost of gauge recommendation or even a ballpark number. Any recommendations other than Palo Alto and North Hollywood for this service?
Posted by: Stark 01 Dec 4 2020, 07:22 AM
If it’s only a visual refresh you are looking for, have you considered doing it yourself ?
I resto-modded a Datsun years ago, and I carefully painted the exterior, polished the clear lenses, applied decals to the face of the units, and painted the needles. Best one day project I ever did, LOL.
Posted by: mepstein Dec 4 2020, 07:36 AM
There's a couple people on the samba that do a good job for reasonable prices. The big names have gone out of sight price wise.
Posted by: ThePaintedMan Dec 4 2020, 08:17 AM
Contact @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=8154 . He's a wizard and can also really upgrade the backlighting at the same time.
Posted by: rcarson25 Dec 4 2020, 08:45 AM
If it’s only a visual refresh you are looking for, have you considered doing it yourself ?
I resto-modded a Datsun years ago, and I carefully painted the exterior, polished the clear lenses, applied decals to the face of the units, and painted the needles. Best one day project I ever did, LOL.
I have one gauge I need to take the glass off of to clean up. I have seen the rings get butchered if not done right and I really want to avoid that however possible.
There's a couple people on the samba that do a good job for reasonable prices. The big names have gone out of sight price wise.
I have been on samba and believe I have seen the guys you are referring to. Do you have experience with them directly by chance? Their prices do seem to be reasonable.
Contact @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=8154 . He's a wizard and can also really upgrade the backlighting at the same time.
I will reach out thanks for the info.
I also found this place on eBay. Anybody ever done business with these guys? http://www.specialtygauge.com
Posted by: 914Sixer Dec 4 2020, 10:04 AM
Thinking it is the same outfit as the Samba. Both in VA.
Posted by: FlacaProductions Dec 4 2020, 11:22 AM
Just for your reference - here was my bill from 2019 at north hollywood.
All my gauges were in good shape but the car was new to me. I had the speedo recalibrated for the tires and the tach needle dampened so it doesn't bounce/swing so much. Plastic lenses replaced with glass. The clock was kept plastic due to the hole for the adjustment knob.
Volt, temp and clock were just tested and found to be good to go and then visually spruced up. Not cheap but they look fantastic and work perfectly. Speedo is dead on and tach has a nice, non-bouncy look. 
Posted by: rcarson25 Dec 4 2020, 11:34 AM
Thinking it is the same outfit as the Samba. Both in VA.
Good catch. I just got off the phone with Cory, I may go this route. He seems knowledgeable and a nice guy. Went through the progression of VW, 914, 911 like I am sure many here have in their car journey.
Just for your reference - here was my bill from 2019 at north hollywood.
All my gauges were in good shape but the car was new to me. I had the speedo recalibrated for the tires and the tach needle dampened so it doesn't bounce/swing so much. Plastic lenses replaced with glass. The clock was kept plastic due to the hole for the adjustment knob.
Volt, temp and clock were just tested and found to be good to go and then visually spruced up. Not cheap but they look fantastic and work perfectly. Speedo is dead on and tach has a nice, non-bouncy look.
Thanks so much for posting this is very helpful!!!
Posted by: 914Sixer Dec 4 2020, 05:15 PM
Several videos over on YouTube how to remove trim ring. NEVER USE paper towels to clean interior of gauge. It is like using sand paper.
Posted by: 914werke Dec 4 2020, 06:44 PM
Word of caution that character is sketchy at best.
My dealings with him ultimately turned out, but it took an unreasonable amount of time & berating to get him to return my clock.
Do a search here for Specialty gauge
Posted by: rcarson25 Dec 4 2020, 08:00 PM
Good to know and thanks for the heads up. Nothing worse than feeling like your parts have been stolen. I won’t get into my own personal story on this, but it was no fun
Posted by: 914forme Dec 4 2020, 08:14 PM
easy enough todo, just find one of my posts about doing the 904 gauges. Its on here somewhere.
Basic hand tools, microfiber cloths, and some good cleaner. SEM trim black will get the rings redone.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=57909&hl=
Posted by: 914forme Dec 4 2020, 08:14 PM
easy enough todo, just find one of my posts about doing the 904 gauges. Its on here somewhere.
Basic hand tools, microfiber cloths, and some good cleaner. SEM trim black will get the rings redone.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=57909&hl=
Posted by: 914_7T3 Dec 4 2020, 09:09 PM
Word of caution that character is sketchy at best.
My dealings with him ultimately turned out, but it took an unreasonable amount of time & berating to get him to return my clock.
Do a search here for Specialty gauge
Be careful, I had a similar experience. At one point I thought I’d never get my stuff back. He was Unreachable for several weeks and had some tall tales trying to explain, car accidents, hospital, broken phone.......
Posted by: Superhawk996 Dec 5 2020, 11:01 AM
Word of caution that character is sketchy at best.
My dealings with him ultimately turned out, but it took an unreasonable amount of time & berating to get him to return my clock.
Do a search here for Specialty gauge
Be careful, I had a similar experience. At one point I thought I’d never get my stuff back. He was Unreachable for several weeks and had some tall tales trying to explain, car accidents, hospital, broken phone.......
Thank you guys. Always appreciate a word of caution where appropriate.
I have a in-op 914/6 tach that will need work so it'll go to one of the known shops. And really appreciate @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=21628 sharing his invoice to help set expectations.
Posted by: 914forme Dec 6 2020, 05:59 PM
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=22428 - just do it yourself.
Use a Bosch / SunPro tach core, I'll PM you so we can discuss the adapter plate.
Tony - Retrorace and Timothy have documented this process well enough. That will get you a nice updated tach internals, while maintaining the original look. In my book the best of both worlds.
I can redo it for you but as I am telling others right now, I have a specific list I am working off of, and right now I have a waiting list that should take mid summer.
Man I need to get off my ass, 
First winter project of the winter is done. Hand off to the customer on Tuesday. 
Then I have 5 more projects defiantly in the queue. And the possibility of two more projects coming up.
I just remembered three more I need to add to the list.......
Best to do it yourself and learn something new.
Posted by: coupelover Dec 7 2020, 08:22 PM
Just used Specialty Gauge to rebuild my speedo last month. Cost $150. Turnaround time - 5 business days - no issues.
Posted by: Montreal914 Dec 7 2020, 09:00 PM
Just used Specialty Gauge to rebuild my speedo last month. Cost $150. Turnaround time - 5 business days - no issues.
Nice!
Was your odometer working?
Posted by: 914_7T3 Dec 7 2020, 09:06 PM
Just used Specialty Gauge to rebuild my speedo last month. Cost $150. Turnaround time - 5 business days - no issues.
FWIW my 1st experience with him was great, 2nd one not. Wouldn’t do it again.....
Posted by: PCH Dec 9 2020, 06:26 PM
I've had great experiences with Joe at Joe's Speedometer. His phone #is 818 468-4414 and his email is joespeedometer@gmail.com. He's located in Southern California.
Posted by: aggiezig Dec 9 2020, 08:45 PM
Just for your reference - here was my bill from 2019 at north hollywood.
Wow, this was a LOT more reasonable than their ballpark of $1,800 - $2,800 to me back in February of 2019. Still insane, though.
The gauges are pretty simple to disassemble, clean and touch up paint. That's probably what I will do to mine.
Posted by: rcarson25 Dec 10 2020, 05:28 AM
Just for your reference - here was my bill from 2019 at north hollywood.
Wow, this was a LOT more reasonable than their ballpark of $1,800 - $2,800 to me back in February of 2019. Still insane, though.
The gauges are pretty simple to disassemble, clean and touch up paint. That's probably what I will do to mine.
Agreed, they sent me a ballpark quote like that too. $1800-2800 seems insane for 3 gauges. I will admit that I don’t know what all goes into their process, but I would love to see a parts/time breakdown $600-900 per gauge seems steep. Obviously they are getting that from people though.
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 10 2020, 12:35 PM
Much advice on here already. One other data point:
I had Palo Alto Speedometer refresh a 3-gauge 914 set back in 2014. They replaced bezels, new needles, cleaned the glass & fascia but did not touch or refurb any internals - and they charged $240 dropped off/picked up with tax. FWIW,
- Tony
Posted by: dhuckabay Dec 10 2020, 12:40 PM
I have used Palo Alto also, very good people. Sending some more out of my LE to them shortly.
Posted by: IronHillRestorations Dec 14 2020, 12:42 PM
Sooo, what I'm reading is the complete restored 6 gauge set I sold recently was a killer deal 
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