Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications.

Changing the COLOR of the dash lights...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 09:54 AM
  #1  
Knight350's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Rexdale, Toronto
Changing the COLOR of the dash lights...

Hey everyone,
I have tried searching but have not got an exact answer.
IS it possible to change the color of the bulb behind the dash for the 85-92 trans am/firebirds?
DO the bulb's have that orange/red tint or the dash itself?

According to MacEwen's site, it does say it can be done, (under the faq section of L.E.D.'s) but If the dash has that tint it's going to look like crap. Has anyone done this?
What do you think?

Fredel
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 12:25 PM
  #2  
theSteve's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC Wheels:KMC Clocker 17"
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: upgrading...
Transmission: upgrading...
I have an 85 Trans Am, and the orange color is on the back of the guages, and on the plastic piece surrounding them. The bulbs are white, but it changes color as it reflects inside the guage assembly.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 12:27 PM
  #3  
theSteve's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC Wheels:KMC Clocker 17"
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: upgrading...
Transmission: upgrading...
pic
Attached Thumbnails Changing the COLOR of the dash lights...-im000750.jpg  
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 01:04 PM
  #4  
Knight350's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Rexdale, Toronto
Now THAT's helpful !!!!
Thats what I though would be under there, that really sucks... I guess the only thing that would be better is some brighter bulbs.. or maybe paint the inside of that a nice bright white.. any idea's?
But thanks again for the help steve, and your 85 TA is one of the nicest, those rims really suit the car.

Fredel
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 01:08 PM
  #5  
theSteve's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC Wheels:KMC Clocker 17"
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: upgrading...
Transmission: upgrading...
why thank you ... and... you're welcome.

(i used silver because i didn't have any white -- but you've got the idea!)
Attached Thumbnails Changing the COLOR of the dash lights...-im000752.jpg  
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 01:45 PM
  #6  
Knight350's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Rexdale, Toronto
Steve, your a step ahead of me!!!
That looks good, did you get to try it with the new bulbs (what kind did you use anyway? led's?)
Is this recent is this an old project?


I just though of something, does the needles have their own bulb? Maybe it would look good with a bright red needle against a blue gauge overlay..
what do you think? Is it possible?

Last edited by Knight350; Jul 23, 2003 at 01:54 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 02:02 PM
  #7  
theSteve's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC Wheels:KMC Clocker 17"
Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: upgrading...
Transmission: upgrading...
This is an old project.. probably more than a year ago.

It was part of my white-face guage install... I printed the guages up on my computer. I swapped the bulbs out for some blue colored ones. I painted everying that used to be orange to change it to silver.

The needles do not have their own bulb. The color of the plastic just pics up on the light from the side, making them appear illuminated, when in actual fact, there is no seperate light source. I painted my needles metallic blue, and it looks good against the white background. They don't light up anymore, but the contrast against the white is easy as pie to see.

I think if you had blue overlays, a red needle would work. Just use a really bright red, so that it best reflects any light.
Attached Thumbnails Changing the COLOR of the dash lights...-im000775.jpg  
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2003 | 03:20 PM
  #8  
Knight350's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Rexdale, Toronto
That's great...
But how did you deal with the tinted film over the plastic gauges? How did the blue come turn out?
Did you take any pics?
Thanks again for all the help and pics...
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Casey Meyers
Interior Parts for Sale
8
Mar 2, 2016 10:46 AM
z28_AJ
History / Originality
22
Aug 27, 2015 08:59 PM
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
Aug 20, 2015 09:36 PM
Feffman
Mid-West Region
0
Aug 13, 2015 07:12 AM
Feffman
Organized Drag Racing and Autocross
0
Aug 13, 2015 07:11 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:15 AM.