Changing the color of the gauge needles

88GT 5pt0 · 08-25-2003, 01:33 PM

I just put in reverse glow gauges and the needles still light up yellow, does anyone know how to change the color, are there light bulbs I can just change?

Hethj7 · 08-25-2003, 02:26 PM

I have white face gauges and the guy who installed them painted my needles red. I think he used some type of model paint, but I am not postive. Anyway, they look pretty good.

VeNuM · 08-25-2003, 03:08 PM

I painted my needles orange. You just sand the white off the back and use Testors model paint to paint just the back of the needle. I'll post pictures when I get home later tonight. I'm not sure how this affects how they lightup at night because the needles are lit up via the light bulbs behind the cluster. I believe it would only change them during the day, what color are the stock needles at night? I don't remember... ~Brian

88GT 5pt0 · 08-26-2003, 08:33 AM

They are white/clear durring the day and I would like them to stay like that durring the day and light up red at night. Can't I just change the color or one of the light bulbs?

VeNuM · 08-26-2003, 08:53 AM

No, some of the backlights on the gauges are also lit up by the same bulb that lights up the needles, I think you would have a tough time doing that. ~Brian

PKRWUD · 08-26-2003, 09:24 AM

I did that in my truck...

Day:

Night:

The way to do it is pull the cluster out, and behind each gauge are pieces of clear plastic that carry the light through them to different points in the cluster, including the gauge needles. Find the ones that go to the needles, and on the surface facing the light bulb, go over it with a red marker. That will turn the light going to the needles red, but won't affect the other lighting.

Take care,
~Chris

VeNuM · 08-26-2003, 11:42 AM

Hmm, I guess I never thought of that, I just thought of putting a different bulb in. Guess sometimes it's the simplest things that work the best. ~Brian

Hethj7 · 08-26-2003, 07:03 PM

That turned out really good Chris.

"This truck tricked out by Peckerwoods Pit Stop" - Nice touch

!

88GT 5pt0 · 08-26-2003, 09:02 PM

I used a red sharpie and it turned out great. Thanks Chris. Pics will be up soon at my website

PKRWUD · 08-26-2003, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hethj7
That turned out really good Chris.

"This truck tricked out by Peckerwoods Pit Stop" - Nice touch !

Yeah, I gotta admit, I was kinda surprised how well it turned out myself. I tried colored bulb boots, and different color bulbs first, but they are never as bright, and they make it difficult to see. i just looked at it for a few minutes one time, and it just hit me on how to do it.

BTW, on my F150, the outside face of the gauges is where the white is, and on the back side everything is green. I changed the color of the letters RPM, and gave it the red line marks by carefully scratching away the green on the back side in those specific places, and using the correct color marker in it's place (at night, everything on the gauges was green originally). That way it looks normal in the daylight, but wakes up a little at night.

08-25-2003, 01:33 PM	#1
88GT 5pt0 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 73	Changing the color of the gauge needles I just put in reverse glow gauges and the needles still light up yellow, does anyone know how to change the color, are there light bulbs I can just change? __________________ My Cardomain Website

08-25-2003, 02:26 PM	#2
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	I have white face gauges and the guy who installed them painted my needles red. I think he used some type of model paint, but I am not postive. Anyway, they look pretty good. __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

08-25-2003, 03:08 PM	#3
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	I painted my needles orange. You just sand the white off the back and use Testors model paint to paint just the back of the needle. I'll post pictures when I get home later tonight. I'm not sure how this affects how they lightup at night because the needles are lit up via the light bulbs behind the cluster. I believe it would only change them during the day, what color are the stock needles at night? I don't remember... ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

08-26-2003, 08:33 AM	#4
88GT 5pt0 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 73	They are white/clear durring the day and I would like them to stay like that durring the day and light up red at night. Can't I just change the color or one of the light bulbs? __________________ My Cardomain Website

08-26-2003, 08:53 AM	#5
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	No, some of the backlights on the gauges are also lit up by the same bulb that lights up the needles, I think you would have a tough time doing that. ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

08-26-2003, 09:24 AM	#6
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I did that in my truck... Day: Night: The way to do it is pull the cluster out, and behind each gauge are pieces of clear plastic that carry the light through them to different points in the cluster, including the gauge needles. Find the ones that go to the needles, and on the surface facing the light bulb, go over it with a red marker. That will turn the light going to the needles red, but won't affect the other lighting. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-26-2003, 11:42 AM	#7
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	Hmm, I guess I never thought of that, I just thought of putting a different bulb in. Guess sometimes it's the simplest things that work the best. ~Brian __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

08-26-2003, 07:03 PM	#8
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	That turned out really good Chris. "This truck tricked out by Peckerwoods Pit Stop" - Nice touch ! __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

08-26-2003, 09:02 PM	#9
88GT 5pt0 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 73	I used a red sharpie and it turned out great. Thanks Chris. Pics will be up soon at my website __________________ My Cardomain Website

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