Hi guys I did the DIY White face gauges and they
turned out great. What is the best way to get
my needles red? I have one of those Red Tria PrismaColor
makers that I got from Ryan MacEwen and I think
it works like ****. The ink pools to much and I have
cleaned it off with rubbing alcohol and tried time
and time again and still can't get an even nice coat.

I suppose I could try painting somehow but thats not a
strength of mine. Anyhow please offer any suggestions
and the best way to get these Red.

THANKS!

 

I not sure if the needles are lighted or not, but if they are (like fiber optics), I'd recommend leaving them stock so they illuminate.

 

nail polish? what i was gonna try

 

Model airplane paint and a very fine brush. I used bright red and
just painted the points of the needles (about 1/2 in) and they look good.

 

Until 1990 the camaro needles weren't lit. Assuming the needles you have are white, there are a couple of things you could try...
-get a bottle of red paint and dip the needle
-get a red paint pen (Walmart carries Testors paint pens for models)
-get a red permenant marker and hope the ink is thick enough.

I think I'd look into swapping to Firebird needles since they light up in orange. 90-92 Camaro needles also light up orange or yellow. I would tend to think most if not all GM apps probably would use needles that you could swap over, only concern would be the length of the needle itself.

 

Drew thats a good idea about using Firebired or
later Camaro needles. Thing is I dunno if they
are the same lengh and wieght etc. I tried Testers
model paint with a fine brush and didn't really
like the results. So I figured i would use that marker
MacEwen pushes and I don't like that either...

Maybe if I would have thin'd the paint down it would
turn out better w/ Testors...

Does anybody know if there is as far as length etc
on the needles for firebirds and camaros that are illuminated?


thanks again!

 

id like to know also ive been goin for the blue dash lights and that makes the neadles look like there brownish green

 

If you don't like the markers, or the results painting by hand.. if your good at masking. Why not mask off all the needles and spray paint em? or use any air brush. it would be cleaner. and the paint would not be so thick.

 

Anybody else have any ideas??

Who knows if Firebird needles will work on cable
driven Camaro Speedos? or of 90-92 camaro
needles will work on the 82-89 cable driven?

THANKS!

 

no,

they are not designed to be used with light up firebird, im not sure if they will slide on but need to check.

the needle just needs to be sanded then painted for those who were curious....