How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
More preferrably is there a way I can fix or replace the yellowing glass on the gauge cluster. Or a place I could send mine that does that kind of work ? Mine aren't that bad, but show slight yellowing.
- Scorch
- Born to ride
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:10 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1975 GT380
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Contact:
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Allan, you're up.
Suzuki: '18 V-Strom 1000, '75 GT380, '85 Madura 1200
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:52 am
- Location: Manchester, UK
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
I fixed mine using a car polish I had in the garage. It's a mildly abrasive liquid resin polish, a little spot on each lens and 2 minutes work with a soft cloth.
Two goes of the above got rid of the yellowing and made the lenses clear again. I do this about once per year, works a treat. Of course, it's not as perfect as a new lens, but it's a lot less work
Two goes of the above got rid of the yellowing and made the lenses clear again. I do this about once per year, works a treat. Of course, it's not as perfect as a new lens, but it's a lot less work

1976 GT380 - wounded by me, and sold on
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Good to know. I have a bottle of clear coat scratch remover. I'll give that a go. Thank youCraig380 wrote:I fixed mine using a car polish I had in the garage. It's a mildly abrasive liquid resin polish, a little spot on each lens and 2 minutes work with a soft cloth.
Two goes of the above got rid of the yellowing and made the lenses clear again. I do this about once per year, works a treat. Of course, it's not as perfect as a new lens, but it's a lot less work
- Fritz500
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 495
- Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:12 pm
- Country: Australia
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suzuki TS90, TS250, T500 (4), GT750
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
I bought this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Novus-2-Polish- ... 2ebfb84082" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I had some really bad scratches in both my T500 instruments so I used 600 grit and finally the Novus No.2 They look like new now. I was so pleased with the final result. Took about 10 minutes all up.
Cheers
I had some really bad scratches in both my T500 instruments so I used 600 grit and finally the Novus No.2 They look like new now. I was so pleased with the final result. Took about 10 minutes all up.
Cheers
73 GT750 Ducati - 20%
72 T500J - 95%
09 Yam XVS950A
81 Yam XV920 - cafe conversion - 90%
“Anyone who believes a perpetual motion machine is impossible has no imagination; anyone who thinks it is possible has no education.” Adam Peenum
72 T500J - 95%
09 Yam XVS950A
81 Yam XV920 - cafe conversion - 90%
“Anyone who believes a perpetual motion machine is impossible has no imagination; anyone who thinks it is possible has no education.” Adam Peenum
- Cliff
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 476
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:34 am
- Country: Canada
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: Original owner GT550L
- Location: Whitby, Ontario
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
If the yellowing isn't too bad use some toothpaste and a paper towel to clean them up.
If that doesn't work, try a chrome polish, such as Solvol Autosol.
If that doesn't work, try a chrome polish, such as Solvol Autosol.
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
600 grit sanding paper ? Thanks guys. I know toothpaste does pretty well on most glass or plastic small scratches. Downside with toothpaste, as soon as it is wiped away. Those improvements are lost in no time. I tried some Meguire's Scratch X 2.0, worked pretty good. Mine aren't that bad, but I also have some hairline spider cracks on the tach which is slightly worse than the speedo pic I posted. I know new glass would look awesome. I would just like to improve them. Preferably with new. This pic was taken before the Meguire's.Fritz500 wrote:I bought this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Novus-2-Polish- ... 2ebfb84082" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I had some really bad scratches in both my T500 instruments so I used 600 grit and finally the Novus No.2 They look like new now. I was so pleased with the final result. Took about 10 minutes all up.
Cheers
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Another cluster pic before the Meguire's.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by pearljam724 on Thu Sep 13, 2012 9:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Sharing a pic.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Expert racer
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:52 am
- Location: Manchester, UK
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
She's VERY nice indeed, I haven't seen chrome that shiny for a while 

1976 GT380 - wounded by me, and sold on
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Thanks Craig. I take very good care of it. Anyone that owns one of these time capsules, should be shot if they don't.Craig380 wrote:She's VERY nice indeed, I haven't seen chrome that shiny for a while

- Coyote
- Moto GP
- Posts: 3404
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Nice ride!!
Sandpaper. It's the only way. Here is a particularly nasty gauge. Can I fix it?

I removed the speedo from the housing. It was so bad I had to start 320 grit then 400 Here's how it looked.

Then on to 600grit, 800 and 1200.

Finally on to 1600 and 2000.

From there I used plexiglass light scratch remover and polish. Rub, rub, rub with a damp cloth.

Yep. It's the same one. Clear as new !

Sandpaper. It's the only way. Here is a particularly nasty gauge. Can I fix it?

I removed the speedo from the housing. It was so bad I had to start 320 grit then 400 Here's how it looked.

Then on to 600grit, 800 and 1200.

Finally on to 1600 and 2000.

From there I used plexiglass light scratch remover and polish. Rub, rub, rub with a damp cloth.

Yep. It's the same one. Clear as new !

I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
- Cliff
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 476
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:34 am
- Country: Canada
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: Original owner GT550L
- Location: Whitby, Ontario
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Nice job Coyote!
The odometer reading on that speedo brings back memories! I remember having 6,000 miles on my GT550L, it was the summer of 1974!!
The odometer reading on that speedo brings back memories! I remember having 6,000 miles on my GT550L, it was the summer of 1974!!
-
- AMA Superbike
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:45 pm
- Country: U.S.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 75- GT 550 / 76- GT 750
- Location: SW PA
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Wow, thanks Coyote. I assume the steps would be water and the light grit sandpaper ? Then a soft cloth and scratch remover of your choice ? I'm gonna give that a go this winter.
- Coyote
- Moto GP
- Posts: 3404
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Re: How can I fix yellowing gauge clusters ?
Yes. All sanding is wet. You can see the tub of water in the next to the last pic. Change the water with each decrease in grit.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.