What Color Silver For Dash Bezel Outline?

[Quarterwave]

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a new center console bezel and also a gauge bezel for my 1985 F150.

The truck is a radio-delete model, and as I would like to add a radio, I figured I might as well upgrade the bezels to a higher trim model (they are now the "woodgrain" style of finish).

With that in mind, the pieces are in great, used condition, but the thin silver line that borders each piece has started to fade away with age.

Is there a specific color that the silver should be? As I'd like to neatly re-paint those trim lines before I go ahead and install everything.

Any help is appreciated in advance.

Thanks!

[reamer]

I use silver sharpie...

[Gary Lewis]

Jonathan has a how-to called Salvaging Rosewood that also shows how to do the silver beads.

By the way, Rosewood is the highest level of trim.  

[Quarterwave]

Awesome guys, thanks!

[PetesPonies]

You can also buy paint markers in the craft section of say .  . . Walmart.  They work good  :)

[LARIAT 85]

Did you get the correct Burlwood trim?  If so, this style did *not* have the chrome outline around the bezel like the earlier style.

For 1985 and 1986, Burlwood was the highest level of trim.

For 1980-1984, Rosewood was the highest level of trim.

[Quarterwave]

Hi Lariat_85,

Thanks for the info!

I don't have a pic of it in my phone, but I believe it's the rosewood.

In full disclosure, it was hard finding them in good condition and so I bought what worked with my budget. Personally, I also like the darker colored finish of the rosewood with the dark blue interior that I have, but again, that's just my personal opinion

[AmericanSavage]

I am just about ready to get to my interior—with same dash faux wood—it was given to me as original dash someone pulled out.  It is in good shape actually.  But there are a few spots.  One thing I am going to do is try the SEM SATIN gloss not the duplicolor.  I will make a report back on that.  Great thread and link to the Salvage write up.  Cheers!

[81-F150-Explorer]

You can clean the bezel really well  and use Chrome Pinstripe tape.  Looks close to the original I think.

I've also used bright argent (Silver) paint as well with good results.

[Powerman5K]

I use a silver pen. Works well. Here are shots on my before and after. Super easy.

[grumpin]

That's cool!

[AmericanSavage]

Powerman5K wrote

I use a silver pen. Works well. Here are shots on my before and after. Super easy.

That looks really good.  One thing I have had a problem with is the pen bleeding into other parts of the dash--what tip you use.

You did a great job!

[Powerman5K]

Standard tip. I removed the bezel and dash cover to do it. Lay the pen on the side I cover the whole raised surface and go with long solid strokes like pin stripping. If you go over the same spot more than once, it can look blotchy. Don't worry if it goes onto another surface. I used nail polish remover on a q tip to clean any bad spots.

[ArdWrknTrk]

That's an amazing transformation!

Really looks great.  

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, I need to do that to Big Blue.  

[AmericanSavage]

Powerman5K wrote

Standard tip. I removed the bezel and dash cover to do it. Lay the pen on the side I cover the whole raised surface and go with long solid strokes like pin stripping. If you go over the same spot more than once, it can look blotchy. Don't worry if it goes onto another surface. I used nail polish remover on a q tip to clean any bad spots.

Thanks!  I have both the sharpie AND the paint noted in the Rosewood restore coming.  I am just starting the restore of my main dash panel now—the line grain is all drawn in at this moment—waiting on the stain.  Hope to have it done by end of next week.  Will post in my thread.  But, thank you.  Very Helpful!  Cheers!