Repainted instrument needles
 

Last weekend I finally got around to removing the dash and repainting the needles on the instruments as they were very faded and chipped. While I was in there I gave it all a good clean and replaced a bunch of dead bulbs. I have also since changed the old bezel although I don't have a photo of that yet. It turned out better than I thought it would for a quick job and makes a massive difference especially in the dark with the nice shiny needles and good back-lighting.

Jay

Re: Repainted instrument needles
 

How did you go about this? I'm thinking of doing that too.

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The way im going to do it is use a small model brush and some testors model paint it will only cost like 3 bucks

Re: Repainted instrument needles
 

On the speedo and gas guage, I make a tiny hole in the center of a piece of paper and cut one line from edge to dot. Then wrap paper around needle base and overlap the cut edge and spray away LIGHTLY. BE CAREFULL THO.

Your cluster looks very good by the way.

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I did mine with a brush and the Testor's model paint as mentioned above (though I think I used a brighter orange color)

I took an index card and slit it about halfway, then slid it under the needles to protect the face from drips / stray brushmarks

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For mine I just masked the main bits with paper and the dial faces with small zip-lock bag. I cut the zip-lock back and opened it up, then cut a small slit in the bag so I could slide it over the face of the dial with the needle in the slot. Once the slot got to the needle, I taped the slot closed so only the needles were showing. I did a little weight to keep the plastic away from the back of the needle so it would not stick to it when the paint dried. I then just used some orange duplicolor spray paint from the local auto parts store.

Jay

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One other way (not necessarily better than using a piece of paper) is to use tin foil. The tin foil holds it shape with out tape and you do not have the slit that paint can slip through.

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I too used a model brush and some paper. I like the paper because it "soaked" up the paint that came off the edges of the needles. I think if I didn't use the paper, it might have dripped on to the gauge itself. I also used a neon red color.

Here's a before:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ugesBefore.jpg

And an after:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...augesAfter.jpg

Re: Repainted instrument needles
 

Looks good

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I used finger nail polish once. It came out pretty nice and lasted as long as I had the cluster in use without fading.

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one thing I can add is I used 3M rubbing compound to polish the lens-I have a lens that has a tach/air gauge set-up (so replacing wasn't an option). I used a buffer and but it can be done by hand too-really makes the finished product to outstanding!

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OK Nancy, turn in your man card. Nail polish is for gurlz! Me and Alfalfa, don't play like dat! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just kidding! Not that i would admit to using nail polish, but I have used the acetone polish remover.

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I use nail polish, on model cars, its cheaper than testors and has brush in cap! I will keep my man-card and my money lol

although I do get strange looks from cashiers! So I make my wife buy it or at least make her put it on the belt lol.

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HaHa. I'm secure in my manhood. You should have seen me using lipstick while fitting a trapper pistol lock to the stock a few months ago on a muzzleloader project. Lets you know exactly where to chisel next for a good tight fit.

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Looks good

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"Nancy", they sure can talk mean to ya around here, huh? :lol:

Besides... testors doesn't even offer any kind of "Glow-in-the-dark" or good, bright colored "metal-flakes" paints!

;)

That's a very good job on your panel.

Michael

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The TV show trucks did a segment on this but cant find the clip. Im going to do mine today !

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well, just finished. Used Krylon glow orange and a brush. It worked on the the small needles. the larger needles i should have sprayed. It left brush marks, shouldn't be able to tell sitting in the drivers seat, but i know they are there.

Re: Repainted instrument needles
 

Looks great.

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Still trying to determine the correct color of paint to return the needles to original condition.

Were the needles originally flat in color, glossy, etc.?

Anyone know?

Re: Repainted instrument needles
 

I just hand paint the small needles. The big needles I just remove them from the gauges but if you do not want to remove them then take an 8X11 piece of paper and cut a square out of the middle as shown in the pictures, then slide one half of the paper under the needle and take the other half and slide it under the other half. You will have a great overlap and can tape the two halves together before you paint and just spray away! It is very easy and hope this helps with your restoration

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70shortfleet... what kind of paint did you use?

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I use Krylon Fluorescent-red glowing orange fluorescent 3101

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So i wanted to re do my - two larger needles. Scraped all the paint off the i brushed on earlier. Primed them white and painted with Red glowing fluorescent. Much better job with a bomb can.

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Painted mine last summer. I painted them the same color as the truck. That is a cool custom trick that takes people a long time to figure out and when they do they all love it.
Course this won't work with black trucks.