I have searched all the boards and i was suprised not to find these question.. What is the best way to remove the old letters and paint off the bottom of the shift indicator plate, so i can put in a white underlay? I want it on the bottom so the light will still get through

 

You could always get translucent paint for the outside, not sure how well it would turn out.

 

yeah i was thinking about that .. but i would still need to remove the old letters and paint off the back side of the plate. I was wondering if a paint striper or something like that would work without damaging the plate itself

 

Why don't you just buy one? MacEwen's cost me $12 surely it would be cheaper than the cost of your time and materials to do it the way you are saying. Here's a pic of my MacEwen Gauge Overlays and Shift Indicator Overlay that I'm selling.

 

Here's what I would try. Probably easier said than done (or maybe impossible?). But it might give you some ideas. Please experiment before doing anything permanent. Here goes..........

Take out the clear plastic indicator window if possible.

Go down to the hobby shop and get a piece of 0.010" thick white styrene.

Go down to the graphic arts supply store. Find some rub-on letters in the size, color and style you like.

Trim the styrene with an X-Acto knife to fit the plasitc indicatior window.

Using the existing white PRND etc. on the indicator window as a template, rub on the new letters on the styrene in the proper locations.

(Now comes the answer to your first question)

Take the indicator window and soak it in Castrol Super Clean. This should remove the white PRND.....Keep an eye on it. It shouldn't hurt the clear plastic, but you never know.

Fit and secure the new styrene and its lettering under the now cleared indicator window. You should be able to still see the illumination underneath the indicator plate and the white styrene should diffuse the light so you won't get those bright/dark areas. Perhaps a thicker (0.020") piece of styrene might work better.

Reassemble.

I did something similar to this to repair the sliding piece (indicator)on my '92 Lumina Euro. Came out peachy!