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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Gauges: I've been tweeking

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 01:01 AM

Well I just can't leave well enough alone. Another member had the same idea as myself not too long ago, to make the Tach brighter by adding a 3rd light. Well, I am totally in love with these blue LED lights and figured, "while I'm in there....." I am gonna be adding the third light (I need a bigger drill bit), but I was remembering that people were not too thrilled with the red needle on the tach and speedo. So, I am working on painting them white to better reflect the available light.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what paint to use? I have been goofing with different types all night, but not getting the results that I am wanting.

The ever tweeking one

Posted by: Brando Feb 6 2005, 02:07 AM

on the speedo i'll be putting back in the car... white-out. I was bored and had a white-out "pen" handy.

also, for putting the 3rd tach light in, were you able to get a 'sheath' like the other 2 light sockets on the tach? how'd you get it in/attach it?

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Feb 6 2005, 02:16 AM

You know the routine!!

Jeff

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 03:47 AM

I thought it was you, Brando, that was thinking the same thing. White out, however effective, will flake after a short time and cause you to be frusterated at the results. Likewise, it is likely chunky looking and I am going for as close to a factory look as possible. I do have a sheath, but I need a bigger drill bit to make the hole correct. The largest I have is a 11/32. It wont cut it. I wish that I could have done this without dissassembling the gauge, but if any metal flakes were to get into the electronics it would render the gauge useless.

Jeff,
I'll take pics as soon as I have some favorable results (if).

Posted by: bob91403 Feb 6 2005, 05:34 AM

For painting your needles, try some parking lot paint. You know, the same stuff they use to paint the lane lines on the streets. Very durable, highly reflective.

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 12:31 PM

Bob,
I was thnking along the same lines, but found that to be going in the wrong direction. The needle works/looks best when it is flat like the original paint. The other problem that I found with that type of paint (which was the first that I tried) was that it was incredibly thik and viscous. I am in need of something that goes on thin and dries with a flat finish. I think that I have it and will be trying it today.

.....more to come.....

Posted by: bd1308 Feb 6 2005, 12:39 PM

has anyone tried the White-out dry tape stuff? I've used it one time when i was bored and that was a BIOTCH to get off of my laptop screen.....I was trying to hide the avatars I think it might work.....

Posted by: Aaron Cox Feb 6 2005, 12:41 PM

why not use black lights?

sorry mikey

Posted by: jwalters Feb 6 2005, 12:47 PM

Testors plastic model paint--flat colored--goes on very smooth and will stay forever---

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 01:08 PM

Aaron, I have a source for black light LEDs for our gauges. The thought has crossed my mind

Damnit jwalters! That was what I was gonna try. I still am, but you have ruined the majic. Yup, the moment is gone.
I remember using this stuff as a kid. Also, model rocket spray paint will work, or any r/c type light paint.

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 05:16 PM

Booyah! Success! I have managed to install a factory looking 4th light into my gauge. Its the one on the top between the two for the turn signal lights. I had to tell you because it looks like it belongs!

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Posted by: Aaron Cox Feb 6 2005, 05:17 PM

ahhh....the evil front porch

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 05:18 PM

Innerds

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Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 6 2005, 05:20 PM

Yup, the front poorch (misspelled on purpose).

All done before the Super Bowl I have the paints and will be doing that experiment later....if I'm not too drunk

Posted by: bondo Feb 6 2005, 06:40 PM

Get yourself an airbrush.. opens up more options.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Feb 6 2005, 06:56 PM

mike.... did you buy a new bezel? or are you reusing the old one....

its a PITA to uncrimp

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 7 2005, 12:23 AM

Buy a new bezel? Your kidding, right? I have the majic touch and know how to remove and reuse the bezels. Nut, I do have a couple of spares incase I goof.

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 7 2005, 12:13 PM

Its alive! The latest and greatest innovations from my evil 914 lab are a success. I have painted the needle white (much better), and the third light for the speedo works like a champ

Proof:
2 light standard (before, how inadequate . Can lighting be described as flacid? ) Note the dead zone between 3 and 5K. This is with the white needle and it looks better thatn stock.

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Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 7 2005, 12:15 PM

After with the 3rd light on. The fact that you can see the needle is testament to how much better white needles are with blue/white light. My camera is sooo crapy that it would not pick up the orange needle.

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Posted by: Aaron Cox Feb 7 2005, 02:02 PM

mike... with the super white LED's i have no prob with any gauge

Posted by: mattillac Feb 7 2005, 02:16 PM

what about some of the super glowing paint that is used on some pistol sights/watch numbers? it glows for hours with just a little bit of light. you can buy it from gun supply stores or catalogs. it would probably look pretty awesome with some black light LED's too.

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 7 2005, 02:59 PM

QUOTE
with the super white LED's i have no prob with any gauge

Gee, thanks for your contribution You will still have a dead spot between the 3-5k on the tach. There is a lot of blockage there, unless you have the later model gauge which I am not 100% sure about. White is boring. I have 20 of them incase, but my stuff is looking awsome.

Matt,
That is a good idea. Maybe I will assemble another set for the hell of it and use black lights and strontium paint

Posted by: StratPlayer Feb 7 2005, 03:04 PM

I like the blue lights,, I did that to mine including the center console gauges. Looks great, I like the idea of a 3rd light in there... great stuff.

Posted by: AZ914 Feb 7 2005, 03:42 PM

Great work!! Keep it up! I just put the white-LEDs in my dash gauges this weekend. It looks much better but extra light is always a plus!

Can that be added to your 'clean/reset gauges' service?

Posted by: Dr Evil Feb 7 2005, 05:35 PM

Jason,
Yup, it sure can. Most of the cost of doing the gauge work is dissassembly and reassembly. So, while your in there...... I will be doing this to every gauge from now on. I always hated the dead spot in the tach