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Thread: AWD dial rings - cracked/reacted

  1. #1
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power hoodedreeper's Avatar
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    AWD dial rings - cracked/reacted

    If you've seen my build thread you'll know ive just got my hands on some AWD dials.

    Upon closer inspection i've noticed all of the rings and needle caps have very small and fine cracks/marks/reactions on the outer faces. Its the face thats been machined/polished as is reflective. The inner facea which are duller aren't affected

    Here are some photos









    A part of me wants to change them so they're new (or newer). But the other part of me is telling me to keep them as they are because its original.

    The needle caps will be swapped over anyway.

    Has anyone experienced this before? Can i polish these marks out?
    Last edited by hoodedreeper; 06-30-2017 at 01:06 PM.

  2. #2
    Supporting Member fwdtamiya's Avatar
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    I haven't experienced these on my own rings in the years I've had them. The cracks don't penetrate through to the other side of the ring?

  3. #3
    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    Are they clearcoated? It looks like cracking clear or enamel, maybe from the metal expanding and contracting?

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    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power hoodedreeper's Avatar
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    Stolen from Randys topic about AWD

    "VINTAGE ALUMINUM GAUGE RINGS NO LENSES

    The ring was made by a stereo system part manufacturer. It does not use chrome plating luster by chemical treatment seen by many products. Instead the surface is luxurious by designed cutting, in AWD VINTAGE GAUGE RING. It is called a diamond tooled cut. It is the technique of super-high precision treatment processing of the part on the edge seen by a Volume knob such as a high-class stereo system. They are like a jewel and produce the light reflection of amber coloring at night in the angle of the light with a reflection like a rainbow. It exceeds the quality of others on the market and gives the the feeling of very high quality. Use in place of OEM ring and a usual product. The process of the clear coating which a white change is not in is added, and the beautiful brightness is held.
    Set of five diamond-cut aluminum rings have fine grooves that refract light like jewels."

    From reading that they're diamond cut and then clear coated
    Last edited by hoodedreeper; 06-30-2017 at 05:26 AM.

  5. #5
    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    If you bought then used, they may be modified (coated)...?

  6. #6
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Roadster7's Avatar
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    Strip the clear coat, give it a fine brush with steel wool or similar, and coat it clear again with model paint.

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    fwdtamiya (06-30-2017)

  8. #7
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power hoodedreeper's Avatar
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    Paint thinners be enough to strip the existing clear coat? Would automotive clear coat be ok? Or does model clear coat have other characteristics which would suit the need better?

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    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Roadster7's Avatar
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    Model paint should go on thinner than automotive. If these are SS or aluminum, clear coat may not be needed in the first place.

  10. #9
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power hoodedreeper's Avatar
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    The petrol gauge ring thats detached is reeeally light so i'm gonna guess its aluminium

  11. #10
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power hoodedreeper's Avatar
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    Used some thinners and they've come up great. Will see how i go with them like this. If they start to turn funny i'll clean them up again and get them clear coated

    https://flic.kr/p/V2vgRW

    https://flic.kr/p/V2vg2u

    https://flic.kr/p/WiRDwM

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    oldgrayleather (07-01-2017),Phatmiata (07-01-2017)

  13. #11
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Yeah looks like acrylic sealer was applied and it's cracking, rings are aluminum and should be fine.

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    hoodedreeper (07-01-2017)

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