Aluminum Gauge Rings...where to buy?!?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Appleguy · 07-03-2011, 09:42 PM

Hey everyone... I'm hoping that you all can shed some light on this topic for me. I'm looking to buy a new set of the aluminum gauge trim rings for my 2002 base model, but everywhere I've looked online says it's been discontinued.

Did something happen to make all of these go bye bye? Does anyone have an idea of a store that might still have these? I really like the look of the accent rings around the gauges. Is there an OEM alternative?

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Mark

ddb · 07-04-2011, 04:50 AM

Mark,

Have you searched eBay? I bought an inexpensive set from eBay 5 or 6 years ago. They are aluminum looking, but are actually plastic.

Another thing is to search for Boxster or 911 (996) rings. The 911 has two more pieces (for voltage and oil pressure) that the Boxster cluster doesn't have. So with my kit I ended up with two unneeded pieces. The kits are interchangeable.

Best of luck,

Derek

ddb · 07-04-2011, 05:30 AM

Search these sites for some examples:

http://www.****************************************.com/

http://www.********************************************.com/model/986catalog.html

http://www.carnewal-europe.com/main.htm

Appleguy · 07-04-2011, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddb

Search these sites for some examples:

http://www.****************************************.com/

http://www.********************************************.com/model/986catalog.html

http://www.carnewal-europe.com/main.htm

Thanks Derek. Once again you just go to show me that your car is awesome! Love the tan interior you got there.

I totally appreciate the info!

Cheers and Happy 4th.

Mark

RandallNeighbour · 07-04-2011, 09:50 AM

Mark, should you buy a set, be sure to remove your cluster and buy some THICK CA glue (superglue) and then put a decent amount inside the rings, working from the center outward, then lowering the cluster onto the ring and allowing each one to set up and fully dry for 24 hours before you go on to the next ring.

Thick super glue is required and it does not dry instantly by any means.

What you do not want to do is attempt this with the cluster in the car. Don't ask me how I know this makes for a big uncleanable mess inside your car. :ah:

BTW, the cheapest place to buy a larger bottle of thick cyanoacrilate glue is your local woodworking store, such as Rockler or Woodcraft. I buy lots of the stuff each year for my lathe work (I make handwriting instruments and flood the woods with CA glue for a hard glossy finish).

Appleguy · 07-04-2011, 10:38 AM

Thanks Randall! I appreciate any and all info on this. I'll keep this in mind when I find a set.

Cheers

Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Mark, should you buy a set, be sure to remove your cluster and buy some THICK CA glue (superglue) and then put a decent amount inside the rings, working from the center outward, then lowering the cluster onto the ring and allowing each one to set up and fully dry for 24 hours before you go on to the next ring.

Thick super glue is required and it does not dry instantly by any means.

What you do not want to do is attempt this with the cluster in the car. Don't ask me how I know this makes for a big uncleanable mess inside your car. :ah:

BTW, the cheapest place to buy a larger bottle of thick cyanoacrilate glue is your local woodworking store, such as Rockler or Woodcraft. I buy lots of the stuff each year for my lathe work (I make handwriting instruments and flood the woods with CA glue for a hard glossy finish).

daboxsta · 12-23-2013, 06:30 AM

I know this sounds dumb, but Automotion sells a set in red for $99.00 Why can't I lightly scff the surface and repaint them silver????

trimer · 12-23-2013, 06:47 AM

I did mine in the car and it was pretty simple and a great looking upgrade. I had to go back on one of mine, pull it off as the tape was not sticking in one part and then I used a different tape (3m tape) and put it back on. perfect!

SpyderRS · 12-23-2013, 07:05 AM

These are mine:

Nine8Six · 12-23-2013, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpyderRS

These are mine:

Spyder, w(tf) is this cluster made of please??

996 gauges, re-stiched covered, alcantra on the faceplate, gunmetal polished/anodized guage rings, white dial faceplates... finished with a custom-made raid 320mm steering wheel

it is ABSOLUTELY beautiful if I may say

SpyderRS · 12-23-2013, 10:26 PM

Thanks a lot!

The gauges are from 996 GT2, dial faceplates are silver and the gauges front frame is from a Carrera GT, fitted with mirrorpolished rings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Spyder, w(tf) is this cluster made of please??

996 gauges, re-stiched covered, alcantra on the faceplate, gunmetal polished/anodized guage rings, white dial faceplates... finished with a custom-made raid 320mm steering wheel

it is ABSOLUTELY beautiful if I may say

happygilmour · 12-23-2013, 07:18 AM

I got mine off ebay over the summer. I believe they were $40. Installed with 3m while the gauges were in the car. Easy and look great. They're silver.

southernstar · 12-23-2013, 07:59 AM

I also purchased mine off ebay, although I found the small strips of 3M 2-sided tape that were included in the kit to be inadequate and so installed them with clear exterior silicone. After it dries, any slight excess was easy to remove with water.

Could someone purchase red ones and paint them? Absolutely. Mind had some scratches as delivered and I sanded them, sprayed on a few coats of metallic aluminum silver and then a couple of coats of clear coat prior to installation.

Brad

markskyline · 12-23-2013, 10:41 AM

Tried searching ebay with no luck. Do you have a link?

Thanks!

rah rah 986 · 12-23-2013, 04:41 PM

I purchased the red ones and removed the red finish with a liquid paint remover. The paint came off very easily exposing the base metal which was polished aluminum. I wanted a brushed finish so I sanded the rings with a 220 grit sandpaper to obtain the desired finish. It worked out great!