Paint and Color Choice for Cluster Dials?

[meltedpanda]

Since it is going to be cold and rain this weekend and I avoid shopping like the plague I thought I would remove my instrument cluster in my 72 SL and give it a good cleaning. I want to also paint the pointers but am wonder what color they were originally and if there is a recomended tecnique or paint.I searched but nothing specific.
Any ideas from those that have been there done that?

[TX76513]

Testers Orange #14 Pretty sure that was the number - you will be able to tell by looking though. If you are just doing the needles just cut a slit in a piece of paper and slide under the stems to protect the gauge face.

[meltedpanda]

spray a better option than brush on - or the other way around?

[TX76513]

I have never sprayed any needles but would think there would be better application control with a brush.

[dieseldiehard]

I use a brush and wouldn't think of spraying a pointer anywhere near the faceplate.
If you removed the pointer (caution! this is DEFINITELY not recommended, esp on tachs!) then maybe I would consider spraying one but for such a small job its not worth dumping the paint into a sprayer, unless they make a really small one. Mine takes a pint anything less than one ounce wouldn't work.

Actually when painting it occurred to me that the paint was a bit too thick, it dries really fast (it smells like Acetone) so thinning it little would be something I will do next time. But the last time I painted gauges I had the entire kitchen table covered with gauges, must have been 15 of them. When I find the picture I'll post it

I use aluminum foil placed under the pointer and wrapped around the face to hold it in place and you can bend it up a little near the stop post where the pointer normally rests such that the pointer isn't touching the post where it can get stuck when the paint dries
I have been using Testors fluorescent orange (I have the p/n somewhere at home if anyone is interested). On one job I mixed some yellow into it and the result was a lighter shade of orange that was a closer match to the faded numerals on the faceplate. Too bad new faceplates aren't available for restorations. Greasybenz is looking to paint his gauge pointers too so maybe we will make a sticky on this, its a fun job and the results are worth the small effort!
DDH

[TX76513]

This is probably a good place to mention: If you take your pointers off take a picture of your cluster first, you then have a gauge of where they need to rest when you re-install.
Draw circles on paper and label each circle with the proper gauge name and keep the needle inside the circle.
You can guess how I learned this wisdom.

[meltedpanda]

I dont plan of taking pointers off. and will take pictures of project.
if you have p/n of paint that would be great. I was thinking flourecent orange may be too orange and was thinking of a mix , fortunately i have a few spares I can practice on.
My main reason to do this is partially the faded pointers but more so dirty lens covers, poor lighting, and gobs of dust and dirt down on the bottom of the guages. Now as most of you know, this would not bother the average Joe, however an MB nut like me ( and some of you) this just makes me nuts
Cant wait till Saturday

[TX76513]

Get a can of that compressed air like you use for cleaning computers and keyboards. Excellent for getting all the years of dust out of the cluster components.

[300SDog]

dirty lens covers, poor lighting, and gobs of dust and dirt

How bout coating the lenses with some kinda polish to make em immaculate? Tropical fish pet stores have amazing glass/plastic polish like you wouldnt believe. It works so well you'll wanna use on radio face and window insides too. Leaves an immac clear film designed to repel aquarium algae.

For guage needles I'd choose flourescent yellow. Strikes me MB used bright yellow instead of orange in earlier finbodies if memory serves me well. It would be retro upgrade, looks sharp.

Otherwise yep i agree, holidays suck with shopping and hype. In-laws attacking the household too. Can check with Bob Hays at Plumb Springs garage here in Bowling Green if yer lookin for another project car. He's got one of the most amazing collections of restorable Vintage MB's I've ever seen.

[meltedpanda]

thanks dog. I am still looking for a finny fix up.
The lenses on mine have some kind of paintspray on the insides that I suspect came from the guy who did the body work, or at least that is what it looks like. I have some glass polish and will do both sides when I remove.
I think I am going to try a yellow red mix as mentioned here
more to follow

[meltedpanda]

well a good day in the shop. Steering wheel came off easy as did the cluster. I removed and took the entire thing apart, boy was it a mess. CLeaned all the bulbs, painted pointers and gave the plastic a good cleaning and polish. I have not put it back to gether because I need to get some plastic polish. I was suprised to find that the lenses were plastic My 220 of the same vintage had nice glass. I am going to try some plastic polish and some stuff designed for getting out the swirls. That will be tomorrows project. While I was at it I cleaned and repainted all the dash trim. I used a method I learned about when getting the black back into my SD door handles. Basically spray paint into a cup and then use a gloved finger to work it into the plastic or whatever that stuff is. WOrked great for the trim and knob on the glove box. I also did it on the "textured" cluster piece with great results as seen in the picture.
I have attached some pics, they are self explanatory, but notice the change in the appearance of the cluster body after the black paint trick.
I decided to go with the testers orange, I thought it looked good.

[meltedpanda]

Job complete and looks sweet. Should have done it long ago. I wish the weather was nicer I'd have her out to enjoy the result. Highly recommended!

[meltedpanda]

Forgot to mention . I used a product called NOVUS to clean the plastic lens. My buddy is a pilot and recomended it plus and he had some I could try , #2 and #1 grade. Removed all the swirls and looks great

[dieseldiehard]

See Thumbnails below for results of my pointer painting project.

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

the last time I painted gauges I had the entire kitchen table covered with gauges, must have been 15 of them. When I find the picture I'll post it

DDH

BEFORE and AFTER

[meltedpanda]

Ok I gotta ask, "just for fun" OR just "because you can"
Or ....You own all the cars they came out of ...
Nice work