Instrument cluster repaint and LED install
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From: Out of here
Instrument cluster repaint and LED install
Well, tomorrow I'm getting my truck inspected and an exempt emissions status so I finally decided to install my other tach cluster once I get back.
After looking at the faded flourescent orange needles, I just couldn't bring myself to put it in there like that. I got some Garnet red spray paint from Lowe's and some really small paint brushes and went to town. You spray some paint in the cap, and then use the brush to carefully paint the needles.
I've seen this done before, and I really liked the look. I think it came out pretty good except that I can't figure out how to clean the white 1/10's dial. I tried cleaning it lightly with some acetone, it didn't work and it took off the black numbers too! Good thing I have another odometer to put in there once I figure out how to get it white again.
The LED's will be going in too, and I'll see if they brighten it up any. If not, new 194's will be going back in. I took the time to thoroughly clean the cluster inside and out, and also used an ink eraser on the contacts.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
After looking at the faded flourescent orange needles, I just couldn't bring myself to put it in there like that. I got some Garnet red spray paint from Lowe's and some really small paint brushes and went to town. You spray some paint in the cap, and then use the brush to carefully paint the needles.
I've seen this done before, and I really liked the look. I think it came out pretty good except that I can't figure out how to clean the white 1/10's dial. I tried cleaning it lightly with some acetone, it didn't work and it took off the black numbers too! Good thing I have another odometer to put in there once I figure out how to get it white again.
The LED's will be going in too, and I'll see if they brighten it up any. If not, new 194's will be going back in. I took the time to thoroughly clean the cluster inside and out, and also used an ink eraser on the contacts.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,827
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From: Martinsburg, WV
I had my girlfriend paint my cluster while I was greasing the speedo cable, I took all the damn blue caps off and put in green 194's all over at the same time. Much brighter and much better looking. The needles on mine were faded to white.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
I used a flourescent orange highlighter to redo the needles, and installed blue inverted wedge LEDs in place of the 194s and covers. The only thing I would do differently is install a two or three LED bulb instead of the inverted wedges....they are bright, but not quite bright enough. One thing you will loose with the LEDs is the brightness control...they are either on or off. There may be a way to wire that with some type of shunt, but I didn't research it at that time.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: shawnee KS
I'd like to see a pic of a cluster installed with the LED's. (lit up at night) I have been thinking of doing something different with my cluster to make it stand out.
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From: Out of here
I just re-installed the cluster with the blue covers in place. I'm going to check it out tonight and see how it looks.
If it's not bright enough, I'll take the covers off and try that.
Pics tonight.
If it's not bright enough, I'll take the covers off and try that.
Pics tonight.
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From: Out of here
Originally Posted by Piffery1
Curious if the LED's will dim like the bulbs. I think they'd be either "on" or "off".
Although, they did not turn off when I put the dimmer all the way to the left either.
It's hard to tell in the daylight though.
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Well, time for plan B........
That didn't work! The Garnet Red gauge needles look cool during the day, but at night with the purple (supposed to be blue) LED's on, you can't even see the needles.
Plan B is to remove the blue diffusion caps inside the cluster and see what that looks like. Maybe it'll brighten it up a little and get rid of the purple.
I'm guessing that no matter what, I'm going to have to repaint the needles another color.
I replaced ALL of the 194's in the cluster with the blue inverted LED's, and while my turn signals are a nice shade of blue when flashing (and look pretty cool) anything that is RED just gets washed out and you can't see it like the Fasten Seatbelt light and the Brake light.
Oh, and they DO NOT dim. Which isn't an issue considering that they aren't bright enough (with diffuser caps on) anyway.
Stay tuned....
That didn't work! The Garnet Red gauge needles look cool during the day, but at night with the purple (supposed to be blue) LED's on, you can't even see the needles.
Plan B is to remove the blue diffusion caps inside the cluster and see what that looks like. Maybe it'll brighten it up a little and get rid of the purple.
I'm guessing that no matter what, I'm going to have to repaint the needles another color.
I replaced ALL of the 194's in the cluster with the blue inverted LED's, and while my turn signals are a nice shade of blue when flashing (and look pretty cool) anything that is RED just gets washed out and you can't see it like the Fasten Seatbelt light and the Brake light.
Oh, and they DO NOT dim. Which isn't an issue considering that they aren't bright enough (with diffuser caps on) anyway.
Stay tuned....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 101
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From: Monroe City, IN
I've been there and done all of that the only thing that worked decent for me was to paint the needles white.
I painted my cluster white and that didn't work I changed bulbs. nothing made it any brighter.
Just trying to save ya some time
I painted my cluster white and that didn't work I changed bulbs. nothing made it any brighter.
Just trying to save ya some time
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Originally Posted by Powerstroker_18
I've been there and done all of that the only thing that worked decent for me was to paint the needles white.
Regardless, I'm interested in what Stosh comes up with, a brighter gauge cluster would certainly be nice....
-ct
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 101
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From: Monroe City, IN
Originally Posted by ctubutis
I painted mine fluorescent orange.
Regardless, I'm interested in what Stosh comes up with, a brighter gauge cluster would certainly be nice....
-ct
Regardless, I'm interested in what Stosh comes up with, a brighter gauge cluster would certainly be nice....
-ct