I noticed that the yellow on my gauge needles are starting to fade and turn white. How do you restore the factory yellow back to them? How do you remove the needles? I tried pulling on one and thought that it was going to break something!!!

Thanks,

Sean
KCMO

They aren't supposed to be yellow. They're supposed to be orange. You can pull them off without damage if you're careful. The orange paint will scrape off the rear of the needle. Just repaint with the correct paint and push the needles back on the posts.

Buy the forescent paint at an art supply store. Brush it on or dip them all.

Phil

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GTDude
OVER 25 years GM experience

Looked yellow to me for 86-88!
I have fastback GT backlit gauges so I don't think these should be dipped. It looks like the backside has a thin layer that shines through to the front.

What kind/color of flourescent paint do I use? Will you be able to see brush strokes or drips?

Thanks for the replies guys...
Sean

[This message has been edited by RedGTFieroKCMO (edited 08-28-2002).]

quote Originally posted by RedGTFieroKCMO: the backside has a thin layer that shines through to the front...... .....Will you be able to see brush strokes or drips?.....

They are actually two piece needles.. The black hub comes off the needle itself..so you can paint the needle itself without getting anything on the hub.
When you paint from behind, you won't see any irregularities.. Just like signs painted on windows..

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'85 SE - '86 Fastback SE - '99 Chevy K-1500 Z-71 - '00 HD 1200XL Sportster

I have restored backlit pointers quite successfully by removing them (duh), then using 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, removing ALL the old [now yellow] paint from the back so you-- as Richard Nixon used to say, "...make one thing perfectly clear". Then use a fluorescent orange spray paint on the BACK of the pointer that you so nicely cleaned off.

Best way to put the pointers back on properly (calibrated) is to hook the stuff back up, turn the ignition "on". All guages should point to the "home" position then. O MPH, 0 RPM, etc.

I have used 'Model Master' Fluorescent Red 28915 (matches the original near perfect) with a very fine tip brush with excellent results.

Tim

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 08-29-2002).]

Once you've done what Graudefas sez, you have a clean slate to make them any color you need to complement your desires.
Modeling paints (available at any hobby store) are a great source for some pretty cool effects... esp. if you have backlit gauges and custom overlays...

BobC