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  #1  
Old 05-31-2005, 06:54 PM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
I'll Go Upside Your Head!
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
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How best to paint instrument needles?

I would like to paint the needles in my instrument cluster tonight but I don't know how best I should go about doing it. From what I understand, you guys keep the needles in place, but do you just carefully paint around the center dot (pivotting). I know to put paper between the face of the gauge and the needle, but I was just curious about the axis part.

Thanks
David

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  #2  
Old 05-31-2005, 07:07 PM
BusyBenz
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On my 450SL, I used a very fine artist brush! I used a mix of Testers model paint, yellow and orange, to get the right color. Spraying.......Hmmmmmm?????
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Old 05-31-2005, 08:28 PM
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A steady hand and a zero brush will do it.

Another puzzle is how to keep the pointers off the stops while the paint is drying.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
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Old 05-31-2005, 09:49 PM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
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Thanks guys. I have the instruments in the other room and I'll try to get to them as soon as South Park is over. I bought "Industrial Orange" at hobby Lobby. It's Craft Master's I think, but it says made by Testors.

Thanks
David
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  #5  
Old 05-31-2005, 10:05 PM
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I would cut a slot in a piece of paper, slip it under the needle, tape over the slot and give the needle a light coat of fluorescent orange paint from a spray can.
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  #6  
Old 05-31-2005, 11:08 PM
1985 300SD Sady's Avatar
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Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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I agree that a very small brush and a very steady hand will get the job done well, it worked for me!
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  #7  
Old 06-01-2005, 08:49 AM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
I'll Go Upside Your Head!
 
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Location: Dallas, TX
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Well, you guys were right. A steady hand with a small bruch does the trick. On the fuel gauge I got just a little smudge on the black axis but you can't tell unless you're looking down at the face which under normal circumstances you're looking stright ahead so all is well. I just wish now that there were someway to renew the orange circle and writing on the faces of the gauges. You know, the shift marks and what not.

Thanks
David
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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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  #8  
Old 06-01-2005, 10:39 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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There is a way to renew gauge faces. Scan them into your computer, correct flaws change colors or even change lettering etc. using the appropriate program (photoshop?) then print out a decal or self adhesive sticker, cut it out and paste it on your gauge. Sorry I can't be more specific but I am a computer illiterate or semi literate at best.
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Old 06-01-2005, 04:14 PM
BusyBenz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sixto
A steady hand and a zero brush will do it.

Another puzzle is how to keep the pointers off the stops while the paint is drying.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
Don't paint the edge of the needle where it rests on the stop, or, use wax paper until it dries.
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  #10  
Old 06-01-2005, 08:50 PM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
I'll Go Upside Your Head!
 
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Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 3,378
I used a sharpened pencil as a wedge. I kind of jammed the pencil into the axis (center dot) and it kept it right in the middle. It looked kind of funny but it worked and it didn't bend the needle in the process. It just barely has to be put in so be careful.

Thanks
David

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1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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