Why is the clock always white?

[68charger383]

Why does the clock on these clusters always seem to stay white or factory, while the other gauges turn brown? 

Is it the location closest to the door so it does not get as much sun?

Is ithe face of the gauge made out of a different material or paint?

Can anyone explain this?

[Nacho-RT74]

I think we talked about that LOOOONG time ago on the old board, and apparently was stated the kind of material used on clock  face plate can be the reason.

not sure if that was the conclusion or what, but was stated.

[JimShine]

Yeah, its the metal. The clock is aluminum and the others are steel.The brown is rust and is usually on the black as well, but harder to see.

[8WHEELER]

They were also made by different company's back in the day, I have talked to several of the
dash resto places. Anyway, mopar bought the clocks from a different company than all the
other gauges, to bad they all did not come from the better facing company...........

Dan

[bull]

They were also made by different company's back in the day, I have talked to several of the
dash resto places. Anyway, mopar bought the clocks from a different company than all the
other gauges, to bad they all did not come from the better facing company...........

Dan

Yes, too bad. I can't count how many project cars I've seen in person and on the web that have perfect clocks and yet the other gauges are so ratty you can't even read them. They certainly didn't build these cars to last 40 years.

[Ghoste]

Well, they did want you back in a year or two for a new one.

[lilwendal]

Can't be the metal. I've got a dozen clocks here and they are all steel same as the other gauges.  All magnetic. Must be the type of paint the clock manufacturer used. 

[bull]

Can't be the metal. I've got a dozen clocks here and they are all steel same as the other gauges.  All magnetic. Must be the type of paint the clock manufacturer used. 

So maybe the clock builders just did a better job?

[Nacho-RT74]

or maybe they have been replaced several times because they went bad pretty soon

[bull]

or maybe they have been replaced several times because they went bad pretty soon

I doubt that. I bet at least 60% were never replaced because I bet at least 60% of the owners didn't care if they were working or not, and yet I've never seen a single one that looks as bad as the rest of the gauges.

[chgr500]

Maybe they stayed cleaner because of heat transfer from the electrical gauge itself....clocks didn't work for long so no heat transfer.. 

[The70RT]

Maybe they stayed cleaner because of heat transfer from the electrical gauge itself....clocks didn't work for long so no heat transfer.. 

Maybe so since the amp guage always seems to be darker than the rest

[lilwendal]

Does the speedo get hot Not unless your going really really fast.

[Ghoste]

You mean like Charger light speed? 

[Nacho-RT74]

Maybe they stayed cleaner because of heat transfer from the electrical gauge itself....clocks didn't work for long so no heat transfer..

speedos are mechanical

[69_500]

I personally think its more of the "not as much sun shine to fade" theory. Have looked at many cars that sat in barns/garages for years and haven't been restored and their speedo's are just as white as the clock. However cars that have more miles, probably meaning more time as a daily driver/more time out in the sun, their clocks are still white while the speedo's are starting to yellow.

[Nacho-RT74]

clock at least on 2nd gens are on the worst side to get the sun and heat.

Note appart... 3rd gens are allmost imposible to get the sun, like earlies do due they are very deep on dash, and they get a smiliar characteristic... however less noticeable  than 2nd gens.

[squeakfinder]

I've seen so many cars on feebay in the $20,000 range and the gauges are rusty. I paid $25.00 for a decal kit. I think it was 3 years ago. I'm still happy with the results.

I didn't bother to put the one on the clock though.

[CLONEDXS29]

Can't be the metal. I've got a dozen clocks here and they are all steel same as the other gauges.  All magnetic. Must be the type of paint the clock manufacturer used. 

So maybe the clock builders just did a better job?
I dont think so. Every one of those clocks stopped working  in about 1972. LOL!

[Ghoste]

Hey now, mine held out until the late 80's.

[RJS]

The correct reason is because the manufacturer of the clocks sprayed the black first and then silkscreened the white over that. The speedo was painted white on the bare metal and then they did the black. The white gets brown due to the metal rusting and it shows though the white paint.  Simple