knocking dents out of speedo cases

[exvalvesetdabbler]

Has any one been successful removing dents from speedo housings.

Also - does it seem right that these were zinc plated before being painted. The OEM paint seems pretty tough stuff.  I tried paint stripper on the tacho housing and it didn't even mark it so I had to sand it off.  I was going to spray them with Simoniz tough black but if they are indeed plated, I should etch prime first?.

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This is the best of the bunch.

Regards
Dave.

[Deano400]

Hi Dave,

I did one a number of years ago. Knocked it out and filed smooth. The damage was like someone had hammered a flat bladed screwdriver into it. Definitely worth a go.

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[Oddjob]

I find that spray paint is just too easy to scratch, after talking with Peter he said powder coating them makes them too hard to fit back onto the casing, so I tried ceramic coating them instead and that seems to be a good solution. It’s thin but hard and resists scratching as far as I can tell.

[Sesman]

A good quality 2k paint is a good compromise. I find 1k paint too fragile.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

Hi Dave,

I did one a number of years ago. Knocked it out and filed smooth. The damage was like someone had hammered a flat bladed screwdriver into it. Definitely worth a go.

Nice job, I'll have a go at this soon. Thinking along the lines of putting a hammer in the vice to use as a dolly.

Regards
Dave

[exvalvesetdabbler]

I find that spray paint is just too easy to scratch, after talking with Peter he said powder coating them makes them too hard to fit back onto the casing, so I tried ceramic coating them instead and that seems to be a good solution. It’s thin but hard and resists scratching as far as I can tell.

Is this the Cerakote stuff?

I have been looking at an epoxy as an alternative.  Something like VHT SP652 Satin Black.

Regards
Dave

[Oddjob]

Yeah, commonly called Cerakote

[exvalvesetdabbler]

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Not quite there yet.  Just gave it a dusting of paint so I can  sand it back again and see where the depressions are.  A bit of high build primer would probably sort that out any way.  I have a straight case now from another member on here now as the favored option but I shall persist with this as a learning experience and hopefully end up with a useable spare.

On dismantling these I'm noticing oil contamination between the number dials. Too runny to be damper oil.  Can't see why there should be oil there other than separation of grease components that has migrated. I'm cleaning off old hard grease from the cogs and worm drives as part of the cleaning up process and then applying the minimal amount of fresh grease.  Not sure if normal white grease will suffice or if I should use Apezion M , the latter has low vapor pressure and doesn't creep or migrate.

Regards
Dave

[taysidedragon]

If owners oil the speedo and tachometer cables too much it can migrate up into the instrument case when riding.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

Second Attempt.

I wasn't happy with it so I hit it a little more and  then sanded it back to leave the two nicks circled in yellow.  I filled these in using a zinc alloy brazing rod and gave them a good rough up all over with 240 grit paper.  The second picture is after two coats of black epoxy primer , wet on wet and one coat of Simoniz tough black.


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Once this has had a couple of days to harden I will flat it off with 600 grit wet and add another coat. and then do the same again.  One of the downsides of working with alkyd resin based paints is that you have to wait a while before sanding back.


Regards  Dave