Gauge Cluster Restoration - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

woodyjeff · 03-03-2005, 11:35 PM

Does anybody know of a good paint that matches the green on the backplates and the orange on the needles. I know this has been talked about before but search seems to be off line right now.

Thanks,
Jeff

Solver · 03-03-2005, 11:39 PM

For the orange on the needles I use rustoleum and it is a very good match

bagged91 · 03-03-2005, 11:51 PM

I found that the Krylon "shortcuts" Seafoam green is pretty close to the green. I think it is only available in bottles though so you will need an airbrush or one of the refillable spraycans to use it(unless your good with a brush). Testors used to have a model paint called "50's Aqua" that was available in spray that was similar but I haven't checked the hobbyshops to see if it is available. They have a color in the toy trains made by AC Gilbert/American Flyer in the 50's that is similar but I haven't matched a cluster to any of mine yet to be sure but it is called "American Flyer Accessory Green". If you have an antique train dealer near you, you can find it there and it is available in a spraycan.

I use the Testors/Model Master Flourecent Orange for my needles and it looks good(I airbrush it on but you can brush it also).

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 03-03-2005, 11:54 PM

When I redid mine I used Chevrolet orange engine paint on the needles, it looks awesome. I got lucky and didn't have to repaint the green part though.

byrd · 03-04-2005, 01:12 PM

you could paint it silver or white and it will make the gauges brighter at night. Randy

Longhorn Man · 03-04-2005, 01:41 PM

byrd has a good idea. I always paint the internals white so the guages can be read at night.

beautimus · 03-04-2005, 03:20 PM

you can find it in a spray can at walmart in the paint dept. i think it is called sea foam green not sure on the name though. but it is one of the name brand paints. not walmart brand. any way you can match the color and shine exactly. on the backing plate for the cluster (the part that you would see if you looked up under the dash.) i used ground coat. its meant to be used as a base for a false red blue or yellow anodize color. the ground coat is a really nice silver metallic, with a lot of gloss. try it you'll love it.

byrd · 03-04-2005, 03:34 PM

I agree ground coat looks the best almost like bare metal.
I painted on the inside and out side of backing plate with ground coat, looks great I think and

wow what a difference at night. I've tried white but this ground coat with a clear coat over it gives a much better reflection at night. Randy

byrd · 03-04-2005, 03:37 PM

heres a pic of the inside, Randy

woodyjeff · 03-04-2005, 10:21 PM

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll probably go with the seafoam stuff and flourecent orange model paint. I like the look of the original so thats what I'm going for.

Thanks again,
Jeff

03-03-2005, 11:35 PM	#1
woodyjeff Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 32	Gauge Cluster Restoration Does anybody know of a good paint that matches the green on the backplates and the orange on the needles. I know this has been talked about before but search seems to be off line right now. Thanks, Jeff __________________ 70 Custom-10 LWB Last edited by woodyjeff; 03-03-2005 at 11:38 PM.

03-03-2005, 11:39 PM	#2
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	For the orange on the needles I use rustoleum and it is a very good match Attached Images __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

03-03-2005, 11:51 PM	#3
bagged91 Out draggin' Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pitman,NJ Posts: 1,574	I found that the Krylon "shortcuts" Seafoam green is pretty close to the green. I think it is only available in bottles though so you will need an airbrush or one of the refillable spraycans to use it(unless your good with a brush). Testors used to have a model paint called "50's Aqua" that was available in spray that was similar but I haven't checked the hobbyshops to see if it is available. They have a color in the toy trains made by AC Gilbert/American Flyer in the 50's that is similar but I haven't matched a cluster to any of mine yet to be sure but it is called "American Flyer Accessory Green". If you have an antique train dealer near you, you can find it there and it is available in a spraycan. I use the Testors/Model Master Flourecent Orange for my needles and it looks good(I airbrush it on but you can brush it also). __________________ 91 GMC Xcab LB-Bags/bd/caddy clip SOLD 72 C10 Cheyenne Super LWB SOLD 92 GMC K1500 Burb 72 C10 Burb (ex. Cheesewagon)SOLD 72 C20 Burb parts truck 71 C10 Burb "project"

03-03-2005, 11:54 PM	#4
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	When I redid mine I used Chevrolet orange engine paint on the needles, it looks awesome. I got lucky and didn't have to repaint the green part though. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

03-04-2005, 03:20 PM	#7
beautimus Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: woodstock, alabama, usa Posts: 938	you can find it in a spray can at walmart in the paint dept. i think it is called sea foam green not sure on the name though. but it is one of the name brand paints. not walmart brand. any way you can match the color and shine exactly. on the backing plate for the cluster (the part that you would see if you looked up under the dash.) i used ground coat. its meant to be used as a base for a false red blue or yellow anodize color. the ground coat is a really nice silver metallic, with a lot of gloss. try it you'll love it. __________________ i survived cancer and kidney stones, but my kids are killing me.

03-04-2005, 01:12 PM	#5
byrd Union Electrician Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 3,354	you could paint it silver or white and it will make the gauges brighter at night. Randy

03-04-2005, 01:41 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	byrd has a good idea. I always paint the internals white so the guages can be read at night.

03-04-2005, 03:34 PM	#8
byrd Union Electrician Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 3,354	I agree ground coat looks the best almost like bare metal. I painted on the inside and out side of backing plate with ground coat, looks great I think and wow what a difference at night. I've tried white but this ground coat with a clear coat over it gives a much better reflection at night. Randy

03-04-2005, 03:37 PM	#9
byrd Union Electrician Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 3,354	heres a pic of the inside, Randy Last edited by byrd; 10-25-2006 at 05:30 PM.

03-04-2005, 10:21 PM	#10
woodyjeff Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 32	Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll probably go with the seafoam stuff and flourecent orange model paint. I like the look of the original so thats what I'm going for. Thanks again, Jeff __________________ 70 Custom-10 LWB

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