Gauge Needles

[slosho]

How can I color my gauge needles? I don't like the factory cream color. I was thinking along the lines of blue. Any ideas??

 

[fredhurderjr]

Uh... Paint?

 

[fredhurderjr]

Possibly... Crayon? I may go as far as "marker", but I know that's pushing it...

Seriously though, if you're doing something like new gauge faces, why not try something ludicrous like a marker. Marks-a-lot makes red & blue. Who knows?

 

[sdpatt]

The needles are used as optical tubes for the light behind the dash. They are basically fiber optic links. Any covering of the needle had better be very even and very translucent. I seriously doubt you can do any coloring even enough to not look like a childrens coloring book discard.


------------------
Scott

1991, 252K miles, glass hood, police grill, SVO shifter, Catz fogs,
K&N, 73mm MAF, Superchip, PP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back, 190 lph pump
Eibach/Tokico/polyurethane, SHO Shop front & rear strut braces,
16x7.5" Moda R1, 225/55ZR16 Bridgestone RE730, -1 deg camber x 4,
Class II hitch, Silver award at the SHOklahoma Car Show

 

[ThatSHOkid]

that got me thinking. say if you found a car that you knew had like orange needles or green, or even blue. could u go toi that car perhaps say in a junkyard and take the needles and then take your stock ones off and put the new ones on that are out of a different brand of car?

 

[68style]

Why not just change the colour of the bulb lighting up the needle?

Or even wire in a super bright blue LED (accounting for the fact you've got to regulate the regular 12v power source down) or something like that to replace it?



[This message has been edited by 68style (edited 11-01-2001).]

 

[SHO SPD]

Well I have an 89 and mine are not lit up, I painted mine blue, but the 90-95 needle you can paint the back of them and you can see that color, and at night they still light up. They will light up the color that you paint them.

------------------
1989 Titanium pearl
G-tech times
0-60....6.61 sec.
1/[email protected] MPH

"Dont tell me, SHO me!"

 

[pbshow]

Ok, here's what I did on my car. The needles are translucent and there is only paint on the backside of the needles. I took some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and wet sanded the white paint off of the back. Since the grit is so fine, it didn't leave any scratch marks on the needle to block the light. I then re-painted the needle backs with a comp red enamel. It looks factory and looks great on my white faced gauges. I'm sure it will work with any color you choose. Email me with any questions.

[email protected]

 

[WaterRooster]

ok, I know this is gonna sound bad......But what is wet sanding ?


Shawn

 

[slosho]

How do I remove the gauge needles?

------------------
95' ATX Opal Frost
Cone Filter W/ heat shield
TB coolant Bypass
Bypassed a "PCV" line
Fog light mod
Reverse light mod
Sony head unit (el cheapo cdx-650)
JL Monoblock 500
JL 2-12w3's
Rear tint
More to come.

 

[pbshow]

I used a tool that came with my white face gauge kit but if you are very careful, pull straight out with a constant pressure and they will pop off. Be sure to note their position prior to removal so when you put them back on, they will register correctly.

 

[ThatSHOkid]

Originally posted by WaterRooster:
ok, I know this is gonna sound bad......But what is wet sanding ?


Shawn

i was wondering the same thing and also what is comp enamel?

 

[SHOed_up]

Wet sanding. Well, you use water (or some other lubricant liquid i.e. oil) while you sand. Creates a sort of polishing mixture and helps reduce scratches as well as dust.

 

[wannabeSHOman]

hey SloSho,

you list "fog light mod" and "back-up light" mod, in your sig... what did you do exactly.. pics would be nice if available.

thanx,

tony

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95 ATX - Red - 65k - Coneless.

 

[slosho]

My fog light mod is so that I can have them on w/ my parking lights, my reverse light mod is similar to how corvette's and Saabs reverse lights function. When my reverse lights are on so are my corners, looks hella tight!

------------------
95' ATX Opal Frost
Cone Filter W/ heat shield
TB coolant Bypass
Bypassed a "PCV" line
Fog light mod
Reverse light mod
Sony head unit (el cheapo cdx-650)
JL Monoblock 500
JL 2-12w3's
Rear tint
More to come.

[This message has been edited by slosho (edited 11-04-2001).]

 

[wannabeSHOman]

thanx man


tony

 

[pbshow]

The "comp red" I referred to is competition red Testor's model car paint. It reflects the light perfectly and it almost matches the red needles of the Autometer Phantom gauges in my A-piller pod. If you want a set, send me the ones from your SHO (Gen II) and $25.00 and I'll do the conversion for you. Email me for details.
Paul
[email protected]