Gauge needle painting:

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dwcains
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Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Gauge needle painting:

Post by dwcains »

I've been working to get a set of Euro gauges installed in my car to bring it back to original spec's, and since I've always preferred the orange/red needles, I figured now was the time.

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I certainly don't have the steadiest hand with a tiny brush, so I masked the gauge face and needle with foil and tape. Here's the completed set of gauges:

Image

I know they're not original, but I like them.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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hornhospital
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Re: Gauge needle painting:

Post by hornhospital »

What kind of paint did you use, Dean? I did something similar to a set of E30 gauges and found the paint added so much weigh to the needles the gauges wouldn't operate smoothly. And they were airbrush painted with a very light coat of red-orange lacquer paint. A replacement set was subsequently 'painted' with a red Sharpie pen, and worked properly. I hope you don't have problems as I did.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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dwcains
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Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Gauge needle painting:

Post by dwcains »

Uh oh - I haven't installed them, yet. I just ordered a battery-less SI board from ProgRama and am waiting for it to arrive. The paint I used came from eBay seller - "hipo_manuals" -, and here's the direct link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluorescent-Red ... 281783139?

It's water-soluble acrylic, and I applied two thin coats, so I guess we'll see what happens when I get the cluster back together sometime next week.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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sharkfan
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Re: Gauge needle painting:

Post by sharkfan »

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2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (1 of 12 rhd)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
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dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Gauge needle painting:

Post by dwcains »

I haven't had the chance to install the Euro gauges, but if there is a problem I can pull the needles of the old US gauges and try the Sharpie. The vendor of the fluorescent paint claims anything other than his product will look dark at night, so I'm hoping it doesn't have a negative effect on the gauge operation.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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