Instruments, again

[Joe]

I got the bezels off the gages, and cleaned the glass today. Couldn't get the bezels back on, so I'll take them to a speedo shop to do.
The tach and speedo are covered in the rear with some sort of clay-like material. This has pretty much crumbled away, and I'm wondering if I should replace them, or if I can simply wrap white paper and duct tape around the gages. I think they work to reflect light to the instruments.
As for the lights, I found the 4 watt bulbs used for the tach and speedo at Autozone, but neither they nor NAPA have the 2 watt bulbs used behind the center gages. NAPA has a 0.7 candle power bulb that will fit, and is shown in their reference book as correct for a 1969 MB. However, the glass part is bulbous rather then cylindrical like the ones I am replacing. And, i don't know if 0.7 candle power equates to 2 watts. Are the correct 2-watt bulbs a dealer item? The Autozone guy said to just use the 4 watt bulbs.
Thanks for any advice, as usual.
Joe
1965 230SL

[n/a]

I have recently cleaned both my guages, and did not have any clay-like material.
The bulbs are available at the M/B dealer or SL CLassics.

[Cees Klumper]

I would not remove the 'clay' substance but rather would tape it up. I removed this off an old gauge, and it leaves it wide open and unprotected.
I recall reading somewhere that Mercedes should have the bulbs you need available - or else, you could check one of the more specialized parts suppliers like Caliber Motors, S&S Imports etc.

[rwmastel]

Joe,
You should be able to walk into your local MB dealer and get the 2 watt bulbs.  I did this for the bulbs that light the heater controls.  They were "expensive", that is almost $2 each with tax, but they were still the cheapest thing I ever bought for my W113.

Thanks,

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420

[Joe]

I found all of the 2-watt bulbs at a local European auto parts store. This includes those for the center gage and those for the heater control wheels. They were dusty, but new. Made in Slovakia. Close enough, I guess.
About a buck apiece, and no wait.
Joe