What are you guys using for needle paint??

[shawno72]

I bought some off eBay and even though the color looks good it doesn't cover well. I leaves steaks. What brand and where do you get it?
Posted via Mobile Device

[stomper]

I like to use Testors Fluorescent Orange from the model hobby section. It's the brightest I've found and has that flat sheen. Are you spraying or brushing? I found spray can rather than brush leaves a more even coat.

[Coley]

I don't brush paint, what I use is a spray bomb in either an (bright) Orange marker paint, Chevy orange, or something with a little more red in it.
Then, after painting a spray them with a clear coat- gloss spray paint.
The way to mask the gauge is to take a piece of paper (newspaper) about 2-3" bigger than the gauge face. The razor knife one single slice/cut from one side to the very centre of the paper. Then slide that up/under the needle stem. When it is seated on the centre of the needle take a piece of masking tape and tape the single slide/cut so no overspray sneaks in.
Then spray away and whe done you can cut or carefully rip the tap/paper off. No adhesive touches the face of the gauge or the needle this way.
My two bits.
Coley

[shawno72]

That sounds like some good ideas. Are these colors the same as the original?

[shawno72]

ttt

[turp mcspray]

I used some flouresent orange krylon. Works and looks great! I also brushed in the temp gauge.

[shawno72]

That does look really good, thanks for the tip.

[special-K]

Oh paint! I thought this was a thread about needle point.

[shawno72]

Tim you crack me up. Feel free to show us some of your finer needle point.
Posted via Mobile Device

[70c10-08]

I used fingernail polish it may not be factory original but close enough and i like it

[Daddy Brim]

I used a brand called Model Master, fluorescent red that I got from the local hobby store. I used a brush and applied 2 coats.

[ItsRandy]

Originally Posted by shawno72

I bought some off eBay and even though the color looks good it doesn't cover well. I leaves steaks. What brand and where do you get it?
Posted via Mobile Device

"I leaves steaks"? I like steaks. What brand of paint was that?
Posted via Mobile Device

[shawno72]

they were BBQ to boot.
Posted via Mobile Device

[FirstOwner69]

I used a Valspar product in their Odds 'N' Ends line (small hobby size spray cans) called Orange glow #140S. What I like about it is that the color is close to original and it's also a satin or semi-flat finish close to the original. I think the only needles I sprayed in the pic are the speedo, tach, fuel and temp gauges.

Since I posted this I tried to find the product online. No luck. It seems it may be a Plasti Kote product with the Valspar name.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by shawno72

Tim you crack me up. Feel free to show us some of your finer needle point.
Posted via Mobile Device

Needle paint? It's been so long since I've restored a truck I don't even remember exactly what I used (should make records of this stuff). I leave stuff like this these days to our resident dash restoration expert,PT'S 70 CST . Actually,I'd repaint a needle,but gauge restoration is what I'm talkin' about.

[JRANGER]

I just went to advanced auto and bought a touch up paint pen/brush in torch red and hit up the gauges

BEFORE:


During:


After:

[davepl]

How do people go about masking the tach needle? My biggest concern is trying to match the orange of the tach because it looks like a bear to properly mask and paint, but if there's a trick that makes it easier, let me know!

[JRANGER]

I just fold a paper towel so there is 2 layers and poke a hole into it...Slip it over the needle and rip it over the big part and try to stuff it under it a bit..Only used 1 layer in the above pic..No problems but afterwards looking at the bottom i got a little lucky

[chevydog66]

Testors model paint applied with a brush worked great for me.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by davepl

How do people go about masking the tach needle? My biggest concern is trying to match the orange of the tach because it looks like a bear to properly mask and paint, but if there's a trick that makes it easier, let me know!

The needle itself was easy. I did a bit of disassembly allowing me to remove the center section. It's separate from the needle. I used the slit paper trick noted in a post above for the needle. Once I removed the center, I just masked off the black using many short pieces of painter's tape laid tangent to the raised orange curved portion. Probably 10-12 pieces of tape did it. Then I sprayed a couple light coats. It looks perfectly round (see pic in post above).

Jim

[chevydog66]

No masking needed if you use a brush.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by chevydog66

No masking needed if you use a brush.

True, but personally I've never been able to pull it off without it looking like it was brushed.

[JRANGER]

I used a brush...still needed masking..Key with the brush is to dont stroke it too many times

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

I used a Valspar product in their Odds 'N' Ends line (small hobby size spray cans) called Orange glow #140S.

This is what I use.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

True, but personally I've never been able to pull it off without it looking like it was brushed.

I kinda was thinking the same thing as well. Put it on thick and let it flow.