To flock or not to flock - revisited...

[GRNSHRK]

Well, after looking at the results from Bob V. (86_6series) and the flock job that he performed, I figured I'd give it a whirl, while I had things apart

Once again, pleased with the results

I went with black, not knowing that this stuff comes in a couple of dozen colors

I did replace the original "grain of rice" 1.2W bulbs with 2.3W, but I haven't had the 6er out at night yet to see how much brighter things are in there

And almost forgot, Euro tach and fuel gauge installed as well

[635sharknose]

That looks very good!

How did you remove the glass without breaking it?

Aren't the brighter bulbs warmer? Not sure if that extra heat could perhaps ruin the plastic molding.

[anchored]

I found it possible to break the glue holding the lens by tapping around the edge lightly with a mallet. I did end up getting a tiny crack but I think it was from my impatience more than anything.

Your results may very.

[GRNSHRK]

How did you remove the glass without breaking it?

Very carefully Paul, very carefully

As it's glued in a few places, and you don't know where they are, I just worked my way around, slowly lifting and trying to break free any glue bonds

I did manage to create 2 very small cracks along the right hand side, but are not visible, at least in the attached photos

Aren't the brighter bulbs warmer?

Presumably, yes, they would be warmer. But please keep in mind the very low wattage we're dealing with here, 1.2W versus 2.3W

Plus I do have the option to turn them down in intensity, should I feel the need, but seriously doubt that they will do any damage to to excessive heat

[olympia57]

That's very impressive Bobbo.
I'll have to blank off the auto gear indicator lights on my binnicle when I go manual therefoe this is of great interest to me .
Can you enlighten us as to what's involved in this and how you acheived it .
Thanks, Don.

[GRNSHRK]

Well Don, as my 6er was already a manual, I didn't actually have to do anything

Not sure if you've ever removed your instrument cluster before, but just like the idiot light symbols on the left and right hand sides, there is a piece of black plastic that covers the slushbox symbols

The idiot light symbols are also on plastic pieces that fit nicely into recesses on the back side of the cluster

I did crazy glue them in place before reassembly, as they were loose and fell out when I removed the cluster

If you have any parts breakers in the UK or Ireland for series 1 cars, maybe you can see about obtaining this blanking strip

Otherwise, I think it would be simple enough to just fabricate one

Sorry, I should have snapped a photo of these but did not

[olympia57]

Thanks Bob but , and forgive me if I have misunderstood this , did you do the flocking yourself or was it done professionally ?
I thought the flock had to be " charged " to adhere to the surface .
Don

[GRNSHRK]

Ah, no need to charge, like powder coating

The kit comes with brush (or spray on) adhesive and a sort of "pump" that you use to dispense the fibers

The pump is essentially 2 cardboard tubes, one that fits inside the other, with holes in one end to dispense the fibers, pretty simple, actually

It's from a company called Just Flock It

https://www.flockit.com/

Once it's dry (overnight) you simply shake out what didn't stick, for reuse

This kit can actually be used for gloveboxes as well, and since mine is water stained, thanks to that pesky grommet that leaks above it, I will probably do this as well

I still have to redye the glovebox anyway, so what the hell