I am trying to install the woodgrain dash inserts and they don' fit. The insert on the wiper/headlight area leaves a pretty big gap along the bottom edge. The insert I have has the top and bottom edges parallel. The bezel has about a 0.060" difference in spacing with the left side edge about 0.060" lower and not parallel to the top edge. The edges are parallel on my old OEM bezel. How have yo guys accounted to the difference? I am thinking of using another layer of the trim to fill the area and then install the lettered decal on top of that? Any other ideas? Thanks, Lou
Lou, is blacked the out part around the headlights/wiper area correct? I put a Parts place bezel in my X and I had to paint the black out to be correct . it sounds like it's not and that is why you see chrome on the edges just compare to an original
There is a pretty big gap on the left side of the section, really apparent since the bezel itself is chrome. I'm not sure that if I paint the bezel along the edge that the paint mismatch would be very obvious. I tried shifting the woodgrain piece down in that corner but then there is a misfit around the wiper controls. Oh well, I will have to ponder on this a bit. Thanks, Lou
Yep, they don't fit. The TPP bezel is off. Been there, done that. Get an X Acto knife with a new blade and a straightedge. Take a little off the top edge of the wiper switch hole and split the difference with the bottom. Yeah, it will make a slight gap on the bottom edge of the wiper switch hole, but will move the insert closer to the bottom.
Gonna try and explain what i understand since I have researched this and hope to get the same pieces and make my gsx clone correct ,but anyone that already has the correct setup can definitly correct or add to what I say/display. From my understanding all skylarks came from the factory with the wiper, lights and lighter area blacked out. So you can see how far out the black area extends. When the delux interior was specified you got the simulated woodgrain overlay that was quite possibly literally put over a already blacked out bezel. So you ended up with the black border between the chrome and woodgrain. I cant find a good high rez pic of the parts place piece but since you have it in hand I'm sure you could see. Every pic I've seen of it show no black anywhere in the lights, wiper and lighter area and thats what others may be wondering that you are seeing. If not however post some pics up to show us what you are seeing!
Whats happening is that the TPP bezel has the wiper switch hole in the wrong place. The woodgrain is cut for an original GM instrument cluster. So there is a mismatch. The woodgrain fits like excrement on the TPP bezel. So you have to trim the woodgrain for it to fit halfway decent. And even with trimming, its not ideal
The TPP bezel has no black on it. The section where the insert goes does not have the top and bottom parallel to each other. The insert I have fits perfectly with the top edge lined up but has an misfit at the lower left hand corner. Since the background is chrome it is very obvious there is a fit problem. I plan to go to an art store tomorrow and see if I can find a paint pen that is a close match to the woodgrain. More tomorrow. Lou
Thanks for the heads up,mine is still sealed in the box from last year so will be easier to fix before installing I imagine. Appreciate it
No, this has been discussed several times over the last few years. I spoke with Joe @ TPP and he "went off" like usual if you complain about anything. He said they copied an NOS one exactly, from the dimensions to the paint. It's a very nice piece. Not perfect, but why would anyone make any reproduction parts perfect when close enough is good enough?
Yeah somehow I missed those discussions. I've got one I bought during one of TPPs promotions about 6 months ago and it's been sitting in my office waiting to go in the dash of my 70... It may sit awhile longer now that I know this...
I installed one and aside from the woodgrain issue, and not having the black border, it did fit well. You can get past the woodgrain issue with some creative trimming. I installed one in Stacy's car (dentboy) and it looked really good overall. If your going to do a concours gold car, you'd probably want to get an original rechromed . But for most cars including the junk I drive , it'll work just fine and the price is pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of things
Has anyone had their original rechromed/restored? I was looking at getting two of those repop bezels for my 70's,but "close enough" is not good enough for me. Although,hand-fitting is nothing new to me either. I only like perfect.
