gauge cluster cleaning?

[TheBlueBomber]

So the other day I pulled apart my gauge cluster to clean/fix bulbs and gauges that werent working.

How do you clean the gauges themselves without smearing the painted letters/numbers? I tried using a dry paper towel but it started smearing just a tiny bit. Thanks.

[RandyP]

Compressed air and a clean and dry detail brush/paint brush.

[nheller76]

While u have it out I would suggest, in my humble opinion, to get some chrome rattle can and take your gauges out then spray the back drop. It will make it a lot brighter for way cheeped.
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[motornut]

Originally Posted by nheller76

While u have it out I would suggest, in my humble opinion, to get some chrome rattle can and take your gauges out then spray the back drop. It will make it a lot brighter for way cheeped.
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this is the best idea for them since they have a blue hue to them
and paint the front too the metal rusts
I used air and Qtips for dusting,dry paper towels
carefully tho as too hard will leave swirls on the face
I used green dash bulbs in it

[RandyP]

Originally Posted by motornut

I used air and Qtips for dusting,dry paper towels
carefully tho as too hard will leave swirls on the face

I'll bet you a toonie there was in fact a sawzall also involved.

[motornut]

and i added a second colour red to the 78

[BONUSCAB]

Silver paint and LED 194 bulbs. I got mine from superbrightleds.com. And obviously a sawzall.

[BONUSCAB]

The clear part can be shined up with a headlight buffing kit.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by RandyP

I'll bet you a toonie there was in fact a sawzall also involved.

not till i put the radio in lol

[TheBlueBomber]

Thanks for the responses yall.

Originally Posted by motornut

and i added a second colour red to the 78

Did you ever have any problems with the circuit board on the back? Mine is falling apart.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Don't use chrome or silver paint, it will make the lighting worse. paint the cluster case gloss white, it'll increase the lighting dramatically.

I tried the chrome paint first, it turned out terrible, could barely see the gauges at night. I pulled the whole cluster apart again to replace the printed circuit, and I re-did the inside of the case with gloss white. Far better, with just the stock bulbs it was much brighter.

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Don't use chrome or silver paint, it will make the lighting worse. paint the cluster case gloss white, it'll increase the lighting dramatically.

I tried the chrome paint first, it turned out terrible, could barely see the gauges at night. I pulled the whole cluster apart again to replace the printed circuit, and I re-did the inside of the case with gloss white. Far better, with just the stock bulbs it was much brighter.

I got the opposite results using Chrome Paint. I did the cluster and back side of gauge cover......

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296187

[motornut]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Did you ever have any problems with the circuit board on the back? Mine is falling apart.

some paths lifted but flatted them out and used crazy glue to hold them back down
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[ron350]

Motornut can you please give details on how you painted the gauge needles?

[motornut]

I had them out of the cluster
cut squares of printer paper
and a thin slit to the middle
slide under the needle, pulling the pin into the slit
turn paper as needed
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[ron350]

Thank you Motornut I was wondering if something like that might work.