Painting my needles snowballed a little: - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KMACD71 · 11-23-2009, 09:53 PM

I should have done this when I replaced the bezel, but.... I planned on just getting some florescent orange model paint and doing just the needles that have faded. After reading a few threads on this I decided to paint the inside of the tin flat white to brighten up the lights. Since my truck is white I thought I'd paint the outside of the tin.(If I didn't like it I paint it back to black) I also masked of the gauges and painted some more white to get rid of the green glow.Replaced some bulbs and done. Under $20.00. I think I like the white.

Andy4639 · 11-23-2009, 09:56 PM

Looking good. Nothing like doing it yourself.

hayhauler71 · 11-23-2009, 10:12 PM

looks great nice idea.

Beatcoaster · 11-23-2009, 10:34 PM

I also painted the green interior pieces in a shiny aluminum on mine to reflect the light better inside and it really helped out. I threw in some nice bright LED's as well and it really brought my whole cluster up to date.

Beatcoaster · 11-23-2009, 10:39 PM

double post...

badassciviv · 11-23-2009, 10:44 PM

do you have pics of the dash lit up at night? that would be sweet to see. Looks killer great job!

**thelonerife** · 11-23-2009, 10:48 PM

I saw on ebay that they now have the lenses with black #s and lines.

KrazyKevin · 11-23-2009, 10:50 PM

Very very nice. A couple of questions if ya don't mind? Did you mask off the numbers where you painted white? Looks very tedious!! If not, how did you do it?

Also, and not to hijack the thread, my bezel is in great shape, as in no cracks. But the chrome around the out side is worn. Can I just paint the whole bezel black with a plastic paint? Or is this not a good idea? Or is it just cheaper to buy a remanufactured one? I don't wanna do it half a**ed, but if it would look good and hold up, I'm all for it...

Again, awesome work!!

KMACD71 · 11-23-2009, 10:58 PM

Thanks for the feed back. Not an original idea but an easy do-it -yourself job. No pictures yet at night. I don't expect a huge difference without using led bulbs. It should be an improvement though. The faded needles were my biggest pet peeve. I used 194 long lasting bulbs, 4.6 watts I believe.

KMACD71 · 11-23-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyKevin

Very very nice. A couple of questions if ya don't mind? Did you mask off the numbers where you painted white? Looks very tedious!! If not, how did you do it?

Also, and not to hijack the thread, my bezel is in great shape, as in no cracks. But the chrome around the out side is worn. Can I just paint the whole bezel black with a plastic paint? Or is this not a good idea? Or is it just cheaper to buy a remanufactured one? I don't wanna do it half a**ed, but if it would look good and hold up, I'm all for it...

Again, awesome work!!

Here is link from the FAQ truck thread that shows the gauge parts involved:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=198705

*k.t.* · 11-23-2009, 11:40 PM

If you go to http://www.whitegauges.net/ thay have all the parts for this and it is cheper then buying it off of ebay. Plus it's free shipping.

Beatcoaster · 11-24-2009, 01:26 AM

^^^FYI, his LED's are way overpriced...

www.superbrightleds.com

unclewatts · 11-24-2009, 05:24 AM

Looks real good but that center location is now crying for a tach.

**lks dcvn** · 11-24-2009, 09:29 AM

Looks familiar...nice work

72BlckButy · 11-24-2009, 09:33 AM

That turned out nice, good work!

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 11-24-2009, 10:36 AM

Nice she turned out good...

BluTrukker · 11-24-2009, 10:43 AM

Will the dummy lights shine through the paint? or am I the dummy for missing something?

rwolf9653 · 11-24-2009, 01:39 PM

That is nice! Something else I can put in my book of ideas for someday...

Curbstone Mech · 01-31-2010, 12:31 PM

Just in case someone doesn't know, Testor's flourescent red is an almost perfect match for our needles. I like using apiece of wax paper, cut a slit, slide it under the needle to protect the face while painting the needle.works great

11-23-2009, 09:53 PM	#1
KMACD71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lethbridge,Alberta Posts: 532	Painting my needles snowballed a little: I should have done this when I replaced the bezel, but.... I planned on just getting some florescent orange model paint and doing just the needles that have faded. After reading a few threads on this I decided to paint the inside of the tin flat white to brighten up the lights. Since my truck is white I thought I'd paint the outside of the tin.(If I didn't like it I paint it back to black) I also masked of the gauges and painted some more white to get rid of the green glow.Replaced some bulbs and done. Under $20.00. I think I like the white. Attached Images

11-23-2009, 09:56 PM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Looking good. Nothing like doing it yourself. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-23-2009, 10:12 PM	#3
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: looks great nice idea.

11-23-2009, 10:34 PM	#4
Beatcoaster 69 Fleetside Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 333	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: I also painted the green interior pieces in a shiny aluminum on mine to reflect the light better inside and it really helped out. I threw in some nice bright LED's as well and it really brought my whole cluster up to date. Last edited by Beatcoaster; 11-23-2009 at 10:41 PM.

11-23-2009, 10:39 PM	#5
Beatcoaster 69 Fleetside Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 333	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: double post... Last edited by Beatcoaster; 11-23-2009 at 10:40 PM.

11-23-2009, 10:44 PM	#6
badassciviv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calgary AB Canada Posts: 67	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: do you have pics of the dash lit up at night? that would be sweet to see. Looks killer great job! __________________ [B][/B] James 68 GMC SHORT FLEET 4x4 83 Dodge short fleet 2x4 2000 Civic SI

11-23-2009, 10:48 PM	#7
thelonerife Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clarksville TN 37043 Posts: 8,702	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: I saw on ebay that they now have the lenses with black #s and lines. __________________ Chuck 68swb Fleetside build ''Choncho'' http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=374892 My trailer redo http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...69#post5893869 Chuy my 59 bug http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653798 Putnam 87 GMC Shop truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707687

11-23-2009, 10:50 PM	#8
KrazyKevin What have I gotten into Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Liberty, TX Posts: 123	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Very very nice. A couple of questions if ya don't mind? Did you mask off the numbers where you painted white? Looks very tedious!! If not, how did you do it? Also, and not to hijack the thread, my bezel is in great shape, as in no cracks. But the chrome around the out side is worn. Can I just paint the whole bezel black with a plastic paint? Or is this not a good idea? Or is it just cheaper to buy a remanufactured one? I don't wanna do it half aed, but if it would look good and hold up, I'm all for it... Again, awesome work!! __________________ 1972 Chevy SWB Fleetside Project BumbleBee** Last edited by KrazyKevin; 11-23-2009 at 10:54 PM.

11-23-2009, 10:58 PM	#9
KMACD71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lethbridge,Alberta Posts: 532	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Thanks for the feed back. Not an original idea but an easy do-it -yourself job. No pictures yet at night. I don't expect a huge difference without using led bulbs. It should be an improvement though. The faded needles were my biggest pet peeve. I used 194 long lasting bulbs, 4.6 watts I believe.

11-23-2009, 11:40 PM	#11
k.t. Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Byron, Wyoming Posts: 48	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: If you go to http://www.whitegauges.net/ thay have all the parts for this and it is cheper then buying it off of ebay. Plus it's free shipping.

11-24-2009, 01:26 AM	#12
Beatcoaster 69 Fleetside Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 333	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: ^^^FYI, his LED's are way overpriced... www.superbrightleds.com

11-24-2009, 05:24 AM	#13
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Looks real good but that center location is now crying for a tach. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

11-24-2009, 09:29 AM	#14
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,339	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Looks familiar...nice work Attached Images

11-24-2009, 09:33 AM	#15
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: That turned out nice, good work! __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

11-24-2009, 10:36 AM	#16
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,604	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Nice she turned out good... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

11-24-2009, 10:43 AM	#17
BluTrukker BOHICA Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stewartville, MN Posts: 440	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Will the dummy lights shine through the paint? or am I the dummy for missing something? __________________ Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like teaching a pig to dance. It is a waste of your time, and it annoys the pig!

11-24-2009, 01:39 PM	#18
rwolf9653 more ideas than money Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: spring grove, pa Posts: 1,068	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: That is nice! Something else I can put in my book of ideas for someday... __________________ Randy 1948 Chevy 3100 5 window 1966 Chevy C30 Dually 1967 Chevy K10 1972 Chevy K20 1972 Chevy C10 1972 Chevy K5 Blazer 1987 Chevy V10 2003 Chevy Suburban

01-31-2010, 12:31 PM	#19
Curbstone Mech Active Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Carroll County Maryland Posts: 300	Re: Painting my needles snowballed a little: Just in case someone doesn't know, Testor's flourescent red is an almost perfect match for our needles. I like using apiece of wax paper, cut a slit, slide it under the needle to protect the face while painting the needle.works great __________________ 68 short fleet 383 stroker, 700r4 373:1 posi 72 GMC 3/4 ton- weekly driver 700r4 351;1 posi

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.