Hello All,
I am looking to do a little detailing. Is there a specific/factory silver paint that I can buy to brush paint these trim pieces?
Thanks in advance.
Joe V.
Probably the best thing for touching up trim like this is a silver paint marker. If chrome is needed, there are chrome paint markers that do a convincing job of replicating chrome. Check at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
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Oh good call…did not even think of that…thanks!
Joe V.
it’s aluminum. Tape off & use 0000 steel wool, or paint after polishing?
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Thanks…that sounds great…little light sanding and then hit it with an aluminum/chrome marker pen…will definitely be an upgrade!
Joe V.
@Cougar_Bill @sfhess thanks guys…I just attacked the steering wheel insert first…sprayed the black and painted all the silver…hard to see with the pics but it is a major difference from the old one…just going to use an aluminum pen on the rest of the trim (gauge/clock and console)…thanks!
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Hello Joe, The instrument cluster surround and mating clock fascia surround are actually both made from Aluminum with Black paint applied outside of the raised rib that the woodgrain fascia inserts nest within on both assemblies. The bare aluminum can be polished (as it was from the manufacturer) and then repainted with Black paint for finish detail… And, your dash pieces will look outstanding.
Also, nice job on your steering wheel. 
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Hello again Joe, Looking at your instrument cluster photo. Your fascia assembly is actually for a 69 Cougar. 70 fascia has a radial moon relief on the lower side to clear the steering column cover.
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Thanks! Mine actually is…the horizontal piece together with the half moon which sits above the steering column (had to drop the steering column and remove it to get the dash pad/instrument cluster out)…for some reason it is not rising up enough to cover the bottom of the gauge cluster???
No worries Joe, Your steering column is not rising up all the way because of the 69 dash fascia on your instrument cluster…which is flat along the bottom edge. installing a correct 70 dash fascia on your instrument cluster will remedy that situation. If interested and/or needed, I have an extra 70 XR7 dash fascia to offer your way. Send a P-M with phone or email info and I can send some pics to you. Thanks.
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thank you!
Guess I should have done that a few weeks back! Son of a…or is it possible to get a '69 horizontal trim piece and would that do the job? Not sure I want to take it all apart again! Or maybe I “notch out” the current cluster to accommodate the '70 trim???
You should be able to remove the bezel and trim it. But you will need to loosen up or remove the dash pad to gain access to the screws that hole the bezel to the cluster housing.
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Yes, that is what I was thinking…crazy that I just did it but can’t remember…all these would have to be removed to release the bezel, correct (or just the two bottom ones that are already missing/circled in the pic)? Thanks!
Don’t worry Joe - it gets better as you get older! 
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Those should get it off.
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The circled screws.
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@sfhess excellent…thanks. Will make it much easier…lower the steering column, remove trim along with those circled screws and should be able to slide the bezel out without removing the dash pad…think I will just notch it out like a '70 bezel.
Has always bothered me that the trim did not cover those screws on the bottom now I know why…thanks all!
Joe V.
Joe, The steering column cover measures 4" diameter. You could use something handy having a similar 4" diameter as a template to mark the radius on your instrument cluster fascia prior to cutting the relief. Possibly a round drink coaster, a round food storage lid, or a larger fruit can like apples, peaches, or pears would work nicely.
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