Making custom gauge faces? Options

[falcor75]

I've got an old Saab VDO fuel gauge that I'd like to change the gauge face to a more Porsche looking face. Any ideas on how to make your own gauge face that doesnt look like crap after being exposed to sunlight etc?

[914forme]

I am working on this as we speak. And Muller is on the correct path if your doing a custom gauge, and replacing the face. You use, metal or a plastic, and then you can also back fill the etching with OneShot or similar paints.

For assembled gauges that you don't want to replace the backing. You use a white vinyl with a 3M adhesive promoter, and then a laminated surface that has been printed. The printing is not cheap, thus the reason for the $30 up charge on the gauges. The dye costs are high. And the equipment to do the dye printing can also make you head spin.

So Mark, doing a set in green, not a problem, doing a set in any color you wish, really not an issue. Making them so they last for 70+ years, and bit harder.

You can also do these on a laser and paint them or use a transfer system, lots of ways to do this.

I have also done them silkscreened, and vinyl masked with an airbrush. Vinyl masking is actually pretty nice yet time consuming.

If your doing new gauges and all of the, are to be new, you can do things like backlighting the gauge, and then having the ticks transparent to allow the ticks to be seen. Can be done, but looks a bit modern for a 70s car.

Lots of ways to do this, some much cheaper than others.

[mepstein]

I am working on this as we speak. And Muller is on the correct path if your doing a custom gauge, and replacing the face. You use, metal or a plastic, and then you can also back fill the etching with OneShot or similar paints.

For assembled gauges that you don't want to replace the backing. You use a white vinyl with a 3M adhesive promoter, and then a laminated surface that has been printed. The printing is not cheap, thus the reason for the $30 up charge on the gauges. The dye costs are high. And the equipment to do the dye printing can also make you head spin.

So Mark, doing a set in green, not a problem, doing a set in any color you wish, really not an issue. Making them so they last for 70+ years, and bit harder.

You can also do these on a laser and paint them or use a transfer system, lots of ways to do this.

I have also done them silkscreened, and vinyl masked with an airbrush. Vinyl masking is actually pretty nice yet time consuming.

If your doing new gauges and all of the, are to be new, you can do things like backlighting the gauge, and then having the ticks transparent to allow the ticks to be seen. Can be done, but looks a bit modern for a 70s car.

Lots of ways to do this, some much cheaper than others.

I agree with everything you are saying. I wonder if white gauges would do a group buy and waive the $30/gauge.