dejavu

So I was getting a bit bored with how the A6 looks and needed something new. Decided to put some bling in the cluster. Ordered some Aluminum rings on ebay for $40 and off I go on another mod. Started out nice, followed the tech articles on how to remove the cluster (3 minutes). The hardest part was unplugging the cables. Removing the face of the cluster was a bit difficult, two torx screws must be removed before the face will pry off.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_003.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_004.jpg">

Superglued the rings to the face....and this is where you have to be CAREFUL! I accidently dripped some glue on the plastic cover. Tried to remove the glue via Acetone and made a huge smear mark on the plastic. I should have known that Acetone will desolve the plastic. Pissed off, called Audi parts to see how much a new cover would be...$600! You have to replace the entire cluster.

As a result, I decided to replace the plastic cover and do the entire mod right.

Pried the pastic off of the face
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_007.jpg">

Painted the face with some lacquer black paint
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_009.jpg">

Installed the silver rings and had to cut a replacement screen out of plexiglass. Yes, that is door trim that went around the plexiglass.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_012.jpg">

Overall, the mod turned out good. The rings gives a bit more bling, the black lacquer adds a nice contrast to the gauge.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_013.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/27121/a6dash_014.jpg">

Entire mod cost less than $60. Beats paying $600 for a new cluster.

saabSean

$600 for an entire cluster when all you have is a scratched bit of plastic? Ridiculous!

Now... while you had everything apart, did you take a good look at the info center? Did you notice if it's replaceable?

2tu®bos1mission

nice

RSC

124050mi for a '99!! Wow, that's a lot of miles.

glst0rm

Great mod! Where did you get the replacement plastic face from?

gdog009

good job! looks great- better than what you originally planned, don't you think?

Sarge

That's what I'm wondering. I bought these too. They're sitting in my garage waiting for me to install. Just need to pick up some superglue. I'm actually wondering if there isn't something superior to superglue, or is that stuff as "super" as it claims?

Just wondering if you thought about using a different bonding agent. I assume your rings are all stainless or aluminum, and not coated plastic?

That's what mine are, and I'm a bit concerned about SG's ability to bond to the metal...

dejavu

The rings I bought were aluminum. I sanded it down with some fine steel wool to create the brush look.

dejavu

Plastic came from Lowes, $8 for a sheet.

dejavu

The module is soldered in. Too bad, mine has faded as well.