So I thought I'd brighten up the gauge cluster needles on my 81 by mixing up some bright orange acrylic paint. Big mistake. They almost weren't visible at night. So after some research I found out I should have used Florescent paint which I found at Hobby Lobby for $2.69. Amazon has it too but wants $8.51. The picture where you almost can't see the speedometer needle is before using acrylic paint. After the acrylic paint application all the gauges looked like that. The picture with the bright orange needles is after applying the Testors Florescent paint. I'm very pleased with the results.

 

Well, it must be a different Testers Florescent paint I got to do my needles
Mine look great in day light but at night and the green dash lights you can hardly see the needles.

There is paint just for gauge needles kind of like glow in the dark stuff. This is it https://www.hipoparts.com/fluorescen...oration-paint/
I did not know of it before I did my Needles. or I would have bought it.
Dave ----

 

I saw some other Testors colors at Hobby Lobby in the same bottle but didn't see the word Florescent on them. It almost takes a magnifying glass to see it and it's enamel, not water based like acrylic. Amazon has a yellow Testors Florescent paint too. Maybe what you bought wasn't Florescent enamel. I found this information on the internet.
"Using a non-fluorescent paint will result in your gauge needles appearing dark or black at night and make your gauges difficult to read. Using a proper fluorescent paint is the only way to properly restore your gauge indicator needles."

 

I did my truck's gauges with the $7 super tiny package florescent. It takes about three drops of paint to do one gauge cluster. Then the remainder typically lays around for ten years and then gets tossed.

When I finished my truck I offered to give the remainder to whoever here asked first.

 

Yeah, the 2.5 oz bottle I have is probably good for several hundred trucks. 😅

 

I am pretty sure it was Florescent and the next time I am out in my garage I will see if I can find it on the table with everything else to check.
I think because I am using green LED's with the orange Florescent paint is why they dont show up too good.
Dont green & orange make black?
Dave ----

 

Green and orange make olive or brown depending on the ratio. And I had the same thought as you about the LED lights only mine are blue. It wasn't until I did some research that I discovered the paint has to be Florescent.

 

That's exactly what I used on mine with the blue LEDs. Airbrushed a few coats. Small slit in a piece of paper, carefully slipped it over the needle to cover the gauge face & sprayed away.

 

Black or brown to point was you cant see the needles at night as it is the wrong type of paint "florescent" just dost not cut it.
You might as well call it 'day glow" because of the bright color.
Dave ----

 

You posted a link to the paint you used and the first word describing it is Florescent.

 

I did not use that paint it was the Testers Florescent orange.
That Hi Po paint is a different type as it glows, even if it has "Florescent" on the label.
It is a totally different compound mix of "Florescent" paint.
Dave ----

 

Well, I have no explanation for why the Testors orange Florescent worked for me and not for you. On the bright side (no pun intended) we both ended up with gauge needles that are easy to see at night.
Here's a detailed explanation I read when I was researching what kind of paint is best for restoring gauge needles. The article is the reason I bought the Testors Florescent paint. Hopefully your experience and mine will help someone else choose what they think will work for them.

"For restoring the appearance of gauge needles, fluorescent paint is generally preferred. It allows for the proper restoration of faded needles to their original, factory appearance, especially those that have been damaged by environmental factors like sunlight. Luminous materials, while offering glow-in-the-dark functionality, are often not as effective for restoring faded needles to their original color and brightness.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
• Fluorescent Paint:
This type of paint can be used to restore the original color of gauge needles that have faded due to exposure to sunlight or other environmental factors. It allows for a more accurate restoration to the original appearance.
• Luminous Materials:
These materials (like phosphorescent pigments) can be applied to needles to make them glow in the dark after being exposed to light. However, luminous materials are not typically the best choice for restoring the color of faded needles.
• Advantages of Fluorescent Paint:
• Restores original color and appearance of faded needles.
• Can be used to achieve a factory-fresh look.
• Advantages of Luminous Materials:
• Provide glow-in-the-dark functionality.
• Can enhance visibility in low-light conditions.
• Considerations:
• If the primary goal is to restore faded needles to their original appearance, fluorescent paint is generally the better choice.
• If the primary goal is to have needles that glow in the dark, luminous materials (like Super LumiNova) are more appropriate."

 

That is the thing is I cant see them at night
But they look great in day light

You hit the nail on the head with:
• Luminous Materials:
These materials (like phosphorescent pigments) can be applied to needles to make them glow in the dark after being exposed to light. However, luminous materials are not typically the best choice for restoring the color of faded needles.

That is what the Hi PO fluorescent paint is made of, Luminous paint.
Dave ----