fading gauge dials

[jhacking]

Ok i have just put my new nr auto siver gauge face plate to match the autometer one,and they look great. I have one problem some of the dials have faded a bit ,and i was just wondering if any body had any suggestions on how to refinish them.I want them back the bright orange color,not the dingey orange,so i can finish of the project wright.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: jhacking on 2002-01-08 23:14 ]</font>

 

[V]

Are you talking about gauge needles? If so, a small air brush and some fluorescent paint should do it. If you're gifted, a spray can will work too. You want to be sure to spray it lightly. I think Autometer needles are closer to red. The stock needles closer to orange. Good luck.

 

[Mephisto]

i have the same problem and i asked the dealer about ordering new needles, but like typical gm you need one part, and you end up having to buy the whole assembly. so i asked if they were paintable, he said yes, but you have to get translucent (sp?) paint. otherwise the needles wont light up at night. i still havent gotten around to doin it, but when i do ill post pics. ill probably redo them in a translucent red.

 

[V]

This is a little too technical, but oh well....

If you look closely, the gauge needles are actually clear with an opaque, orange paint only on the backside. When you flip the switch, light comes from behind the gauge through the center (behind the black cap), lights up the clear plastic and lets you see the orange. That's why the needles are brighter towards the center and darker towards the tip. Repainting the backside of the needle would give an appearance just like the factory needles.

Yeah, I know, more than you ever wanted to know about gauge needles. :roll:

_________________

V-
<A HREF=http://www.sytyarchives.com/database/viewuser.php?id=126>Sy1264</A>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: V on 2002-01-09 04:05 ]</font>

 

[Mephisto]

that was quite informative... haha j/k

seriously, thanks for the tip, ill take your word over the parts guy. but if i try your way and it doesnt work, im gonna hunt you down, and steal your faded gauges!!! hahaha

 

[Ian Turgeon]

I'll help you hold him down while you remove the parts.

(painting the back should work fine)

 

[jhacking]

I saw how the paint is on the back side of the needles and it looks like a pretty simple job.I use to paint cars so i don't think its going to be that hard.I think just some regular florescent paint with some white behind that will work good, what do you guys think ? .As soon as i get them i will let you see.

 

[T-n-T]

Some of us are holding out for the Indiglo gauges, but I do remember in one of the posts someone had a Hyperlink to this site http://63.74.91.245/FMPro?-DB=cart.fp3&-Format=Iglow.html&-Token=89&-RecID=89&CustID=USA&-Edit

I have no idea who this company is or the quality of their work, but the needles look SHARP!!!... I just can't afford 'em.

Tony

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: T-n-T on 2002-01-09 18:42 ]</font>

 

[jhacking]

Thats alittle to much for me.I prefer the standard ones looks to much like the fast and the furious :lol:

 

[Mephisto]

hahaha thats like a neon underbody kit for the gauge needles...

those would be cool if maybe they were in a color less blinding.

anyway back to the gauge needles! im lookin to do mine red instead of the orange. i have the NR Auto white face gauges, and the numbers light up red at night, so i figured id do red needles to make em match. but do you think i could use regular red paint? of should i try to find some see thru red paint? only worry about that is, it might like up pink :sad:

 

[jhacking]

Yea I think if you go with a see through red color it might not look wright.The color needs to be a solid one,so when you are looking at the needle it as a good red color to it.