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[Tutorial] An easy way to change the color of your gauge needles by JohnWPB
Started on: 08-26-2010 02:34 AM
Replies: 21 (6820 views)
Last post by: rogergarrison on 08-02-2013 06:40 AM
JohnWPB
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Report this Post08-26-2010 02:34 AM Click Here to See the Profile for JohnWPBClick Here to visit JohnWPB's HomePageSend a Private Message to JohnWPBEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
OK, I have seen a few posts on changing needle colors for the true custom gauge look. Most mention using a razor blade, sand paper, and other methods to try to scrape off the old dull orange paint. Others wonder what can be used to repaint the needles... I just found a really easy way to do it! Hopefully some of you will find this useful.

First I carefully removed the needles from the gauges, there really is no "sure fire" way to do this, other than to be very careful I personally used two small flat head screwdrivers and pulled up carefully and they popped right off. NOTE: kikinz24 mentions below that a standard kitchen fork also works perfectly. I can see this as the curve would give you a bit of leverage to pry up slowly.

To clean them, I first tried using a razor blade as I had seen in other posts. I was doing it very lightly, and thought to myself this is gonna make scratches in the plastic. A light bulb moment occurred I grabbed a small bowl, and simply put some gasoline in it. Yea, yea yea.. warning, gas is flammable, do be careful!



Plastic, 90% of the time, is not effected by gas, so I put ONE needle in the gas to test to see if it would work, and not damage the needle. I left it in there a couple of minutes. When I took it out, I was able to remove the orange paint very easily with my finger nail! I scraped most of it off, then used a small plastic bristle brush to get into the area between the needle and the hub. They came out with all paint perfectly removed, zero scratches in the plastic, and not harmed at all by the gasoline bath.

Notice the one needle that is still yet to be done:


Next, I started trying to figure out how to paint them and have them look really good. I decided to go with blue needles, as my car is going to be blue... eventually I called up my local hobby shop and sure enough they had a transparent blue paint, so I headed over and picked up a can. I used some dawn dish soap & water in another bowl to clean the needles thoroughly, and dried them off. Then, I just used some electrical tape, rolled over backwards to make a quick 2 sided tape, and stuck the needles to it, back side up. I sprayed a very light coat to just mist the needles, to try to avoid fish eyes. I waited a minute then gave them a good coat. After about a half hour, I gave them another semi heavy coat. Then it was a matter of waiting for them to completely dry over night.




To test, I poked a hole in a piece of cardboard, and put one of my reverse glow gauges on top. (Sorry it is not lit up, as I didn't have 12v readily available to power them up, they are the reverse gauges with white letters that have a bluish tint. I wanted pure white, but SpeedHut does not offer pure white) I put the needle in the hole through the gauge and the cardboard, and then used a flashlight from behind to see how it would look. Needless to say, I am very pleases with they way they look!




If you find this helpful, please feel free to pass along a good rating

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 08-26-2010).]

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ImperfectTruth
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Report this Post08-26-2010 03:03 AM Click Here to See the Profile for ImperfectTruthSend a Private Message to ImperfectTruthEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Thumbs up for you broseph! I'll be the first to say the needle looks great and I'm loving the gauges! I will have to check out this Speedhut place for sure.. Were those custom made for you? Great tutorial also, just as they should be - short and sweet.

I would've help you out with a positive rating, but I'm still just a bit too new here..
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JohnWPB
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Report this Post08-26-2010 03:40 AM Click Here to See the Profile for JohnWPBClick Here to visit JohnWPB's HomePageSend a Private Message to JohnWPBEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Yea, they are "custom". You pick the color, reverse or regular, what color they light up, what logo and placement ect ect. They have a nice little flash app so you can build a custom set and see what they will look like.
http://www.speedhut.com/cus...-auto_number-251.htm

EDIT: Link no longer works, as Speedhut no longer makes the gauge overlays for the Fiero

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 07-09-2017).]

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kikinz24
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Report this Post08-26-2010 09:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for kikinz24Send a Private Message to kikinz24Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
looks good as a helping hint use a fork to pop the needles off it makes itsooo much easier.

I think they look damn good with those gauges.
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skuzzbomer
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Report this Post08-26-2010 12:06 PM Click Here to See the Profile for skuzzbomerSend a Private Message to skuzzbomerEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
looks great!

Combine this with Emc209i's guide to the LED backlighting and you've got yourself one amazing dash setup. When I get home, I'm going to take my extra gauge pod apart and see just how difficult it really is.
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JohnWPB
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Report this Post08-26-2010 02:51 PM Click Here to See the Profile for JohnWPBClick Here to visit JohnWPB's HomePageSend a Private Message to JohnWPBEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by skuzzbomer:

looks great!

Combine this with Emc209i's guide to the LED back lighting and you've got yourself one amazing dash setup. When I get home, I'm going to take my extra gauge pod apart and see just how difficult it really is.


I am gonna test it without the LED's to see if it is bright enough for me.... The reverse gauges have a small circle around the hole, that is not covered with the black material. This give a git of a light ring around the needle hole that MAY give a little extra light. If not, I will definitely try to implement some LED's
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Trust one
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Report this Post08-26-2010 06:19 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Trust oneSend a Private Message to Trust oneEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post


Excellent Job,Thanks for the post,I have learned sooooo Much from you guys!! GREAT JOB...
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mmeyer86gt/gtp
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Report this Post08-26-2010 11:26 PM Click Here to See the Profile for mmeyer86gt/gtpSend a Private Message to mmeyer86gt/gtpEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
i ordered a set from speed hut. Not happy even with the second set. the gauge overlays do not line up on the extra gauge cluster. and there were no cut out for the volts / oil light. Also i did the black with red lightup and had to go back through every hole so that when the gauge is lit up you do not see any blue light. IMHO not happy but i guess they will work........ I have spent about 5 hours on them to get them right i will show a pic when i get them installed.
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matchmade
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Report this Post08-27-2010 02:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for matchmadeSend a Private Message to matchmadeEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I used to paint game miniatures and would soak minis (usually overnight) in a jar of Pine Sol. It would strip the paint easily, never came across a mini I couldn't strip that way. It might be a safer alternative to gasoline if it wouldn't harm the plastic needles.
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infinitewill
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Report this Post08-27-2010 04:04 PM Click Here to See the Profile for infinitewillSend a Private Message to infinitewillEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
.

[This message has been edited by infinitewill (edited 01-05-2016).]

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JohnWPB
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Report this Post08-31-2010 06:24 AM Click Here to See the Profile for JohnWPBClick Here to visit JohnWPB's HomePageSend a Private Message to JohnWPBEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Will, that would be cheating Hahah Yea, was very nice to see you again, and I learned a LOT from the workshop! If nothing, just these 3 letters.... "RAW" Thanks again!
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Report this Post08-31-2010 08:07 AM Click Here to See the Profile for timgrayClick Here to visit timgray's HomePageSend a Private Message to timgrayEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
If you want to control some of the light spill behind the needle you can cut some felt to stick to the back of the needle to reduce the light spill behind the needle hat. just be sure they do NOT rub and cause any additional drag, the mechanics that move the needles are very weak.

------------------




Best RV, Camper, and Trailer dealer in West Michigan. http://www.cliffstrailersales.com and he's a fiero owner too!

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Report this Post09-10-2010 10:21 PM Click Here to See the Profile for zmcdonalSend a Private Message to zmcdonalEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Looks awesome!! I have a question for you, did you take the black plastic caps off of the needles before putting them in gasoline? If so how did you do it? Or will the gasoline not harm the black plastic? Thanks

------------------

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Report this Post09-11-2010 12:47 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RaydarSend a Private Message to RaydarEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Very cool!

Thanks for sharing.

------------------
Raydar
88 4.9 Formula IMSA Fasback..........................88 3.4 coupe - going...going... gone to a new home.

Read Nealz Nuze! Praise the Lowered!

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Report this Post09-17-2010 10:36 PM Click Here to See the Profile for L67Send a Private Message to L67Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by skuzzbomer:

looks great!

Combine this with Emc209i's guide to the LED backlighting and you've got yourself one amazing dash setup.








Word.

[This message has been edited by L67 (edited 09-17-2010).]

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Report this Post09-18-2010 09:37 AM Click Here to See the Profile for vortecfieroClick Here to visit vortecfiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to vortecfieroEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by L67:








Word.



WTF ?
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Report this Post09-18-2010 10:11 AM Click Here to See the Profile for skuzzbomerSend a Private Message to skuzzbomerEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by L67:

<some girls>

Word.



//www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/071876.html

Peace, yo
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Report this Post09-18-2010 11:42 AM Click Here to See the Profile for L67Send a Private Message to L67Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by skuzzbomer:


//www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/071876.html

Peace, yo


Ding ding.
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Report this Post04-18-2013 07:47 PM Click Here to See the Profile for cliffwSend a Private Message to cliffwEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by JohnWPB:
Next, I started trying to figure out how to paint them and have them look really good. I decided to go with blue needles, as my car is going to be blue... eventually I called up my local hobby shop and sure enough they had a transparent blue paint, so I headed over and picked up a can.

Meh ... save yourself the trip, some time, and some money, ... go pilfer some of your wife's/girlfriend's finger nail polish. Color choices abound and you don't have to buy or clean up a paint brush.

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 04-18-2013).]

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Report this Post05-03-2013 11:08 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fierogtlt1Send a Private Message to fierogtlt1Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
JohnWPB.....I am going to try this on my gauges as well as recoloring my automatic shift selector from orange to blue.Thanks..

[This message has been edited by fierogtlt1 (edited 05-03-2013).]

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fierogtlt1
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Report this Post07-05-2013 07:02 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fierogtlt1Send a Private Message to fierogtlt1Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Got my automatic shift selector taken out and orange removed and painted blue to match the gauges.
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Report this Post08-02-2013 06:40 AM Click Here to See the Profile for rogergarrisonSend a Private Message to rogergarrisonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by cliffw:

Meh ... save yourself the trip, some time, and some money, ... go pilfer some of your wife's/girlfriend's finger nail polish. Color choices abound and you don't have to buy or clean up a paint brush.



I was going to add that myself. Most nail colors are transparent or semi transparent. Just dont pile it on as it is lacquer and can craize the plastic a little.

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