I would like to repaint my faded instrument cluster needles/pointers on my 1984 300DT.

Does anyone know how to remove and then replace all of these needles/pointers or is there possibly a better way to achieve the same results?


Dave H...

I have been repairing W123 clocks the last two weeks. More like experimenting. Taking internal parts that work and putting them together to make a better looking/working clock.
During this time, I have also picked up six speedos of various MPH and appearances. Some needles are washed out. So I find needles in other cars that look better.

I have been using a small pair of wire cutters. (pic) The angle of the blades slip under the needle and carefully pry up. Speedo needles and the small guage needles like oil pressure, gas have a little more resistance than the clocks in the W123.

Replacing the needles are as delicate. Just a little pressure on the shaft while I pay close attention to the angle of the needle.
Seems to work just fine.

There are times when the caps of the needles come off. But they just get glued back on.

If you have a junk yard near by that lets you go inside with your own tools, try your tallent on their instruments first.
In the process, you may find needles that look better than the ones you have now.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Selling used Mercedes parts on Ebay...always changing...
cdplayer51 take a look!
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Thanks for the suggestion, this tool worked out really well for me for the most part.

I was able to remove all but the tach needle the way you suggested I have only attempted, and succeeded, with putting the clock arms back in place so far. My other oparts are still drying.

Have yo tried removing and then replacing the tachometer needles?

On my 107's, the clock needles were easy and the rest were not.

I had good luck painting on the mechanism (WITH PAPER UNDER THE NEEDLES PROTECTING THE GAUGE FACES!) with Testor's signal orange modeling paint and a modeling brush. No fade so far after 3+ years.

Caution: be very careful around the oil gauge area, to use the minimal amount of paint possible where the stop for the oil gauge meets the needle. Mine will stick in hot weather if I leave the car in the sun and I have to tap the dash to get it to pop up.

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

Have not. My focus has been on the W123 models. Those without tachs.
But there are many candidates(126) for me to practice on. I will do just that this weekend and report back.

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Selling used Mercedes parts on Ebay...always changing...
cdplayer51 take a look!
____________

http://benzguy.piczo.com/Addalittlecolortotheoldinstrumentpanel?cr=7&linkvar=000044
Try this link you will see hows it done!

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Moss Gate Bed & Breakfast
1985 300 TD GG done in by a red light runner
1984 300 CD Sold
2008 Titian
2000 Cadillac SLS
1966 FLH Sold
2003 Harley Ultra

The only thing I did different was to clean the guage faces and the odometer numbers with rubbing alcohol. It really sets off the new paint and cleaning job to have white odometer numbers and 1/10's actually white, not yellow. cleaning the inside of the plastic lens is a good idea also

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1999 E300DT (131,800) 154,000 Black on Black SOLD

2006 CLK 500 coupe Capri Blue on Grey (zoom,zoom)
47,000mi

04 VW TDI Passat 80,000mi
(Techno)

How to eliminate oil dependency through market-driven approaches.
“We could cut oil use in half by 2025, and by 2040, oil use could be zero,”
The Sound of Diesel Speed
Ode to MB

So much feedback. Thanks much folks.

I really loved the step by step for Dumies (I mean Dave) photographs and notes.


Dave H...

did you re-paint them?

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

I found personally that the Signal orange is too dark. I ended up buying the Testors yellow and mixing a little bit of the Signal Orange until the color is similar to that of the cars when they were new (I remember as them with a Carrot like hue).

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Krylon OHSA orange is the exact match if anyone is interested.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Two tea spoons under the needle work very effectivly in removing the needles, if you do not have acess to a proper tool. i used a flourocent orange /red type paint on the needles. look quite orignal.