DIY multi color spedo/dial change (now with ALT method!)

cesario

cesario

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Premium Member
ok, for a while now people have been asking me how i got my needle colors diff to me actual spedo dials
so i thought since i had some time and nothing was on tv, id do up a DIY
*note this was the method i chose, there is probably many diff methods out there, so experiment and try new things*

Tools needed:
1x phillips screw driver
1x small phillips screw driver
some sticky tape
colored paper
beer of choice (i chose a corona ;) )

Completion time:
roughly 30 min (including beer breaks)

first step
remove the spedo cover, has 2 phillips screws
file.php

*image stolen from LATEZ91 thread :p cause i forgot to take a pic at this stage*

second step
remove the 4x screws holding in the actual unit, you may want to lower the steering wheel so you can pull the unit out
file.php

*image stolen from LATEZ91 thread :p cause i forgot to take a pic at this stage*

third step
remove the 3x screws circled here so you can remove the black facia section covering the unit (be carefull removing it as the clips holding it all in are fragile)
dialchange01.jpg


fourth step
remove the 6x screws (dont lose em :p ) holding in the dials
dialchange02.jpg


fifth step
get the paper (color of choice) and cut them out to suit the desired shape
dialchange03.jpg


sixth step
pop off the needles, you can either use your fingers to pull em off, or put a flat object under them and lever them off
dialchange04.jpg


seventh step
use a little bit of sticky take to secure the paper to the back of the dials
dialchange05.jpg


eighth step
place dials back on and put the needles and screws back in
dialchange07.jpg

dialchange06.jpg

dialchange08.jpg


ninth step
win...
dialchange11.jpg


now people have also been asking me what LED's iv been using behind my dash cause alot of people have been getting "dull spots"
i chose these as you can manouver the LED's them self in different directions to fill the "dull spots"
dialchange10.jpg

dialchange09.jpg


hope this helps some people
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

Now that is an excellent DIY!!!!

Well done. Certainly is a better look, IMHO.
 
DIY multi color spedo/dial change

Great DIY think I will attempt this myself but nothing like what u have done still gunna keep my black cover just make numbers different to needle.
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

when i did mine the 1st time, when i put the needles back on it never worked right and then just stoped,
the 2nd time i jus cut the stock one off and sliped the new ones over the needle and now works fine
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

i need white needles instead of ugly orange
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

What coloured LED's did you use? White and Blue?

I want to make my dials blue and the needles red. I also want the high RPM range to stay vibrant red. Would I just use white LED's with blue paper for the dial backings (with maybe a piece of red for the RPM bit) and then use red LEDs for the needles?

I don't have the white faceplates or needles. Just the stock black/orange but that should be ok? as I want to just enhance the orange with a red LED.
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

check eBay.. people make replacement skins... might be a good start.
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

back 15yrs ago i did this to my vw golf mk1 but instead of buying new plates i just removed the plates and got a reverse photo copy of them done in white paper and just glued them over the orignal black plate ,.they looked really good and it only cost me 50 pence about $1
:)
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

with the colour paper.. i dont understand how you got the speedy imprinted on it?
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

denemay said:
with the colour paper.. i dont understand how you got the speedy imprinted on it?
Click to expand...
i just regular colour paper behind it, the 'imprinting' you see on the paper is actually from LED light bleaching, i had that paper behind the dials for about a year and over that period the high intensity light bleached the paper a lighter colour
this diy was actually done in 'reverse' of sorts, because i was actually reverting my spedo back to stock from multi color :p
when i put it like that it gets a bit confusing :p
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

ohhhhhhhh lol. okay and what colour led did you use? also can you link me the brand of LED you bought i like your setup you have. and with the speedo needles is there just a seperate globe for them?
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

no, there isnt a seperate globe for the dials and needles, you will need T5's and T10 globes, (off top of my head, i cant remember how many, prolly refer to the DIY thread that latez made)

i havnt tried with different color LEDs / paper, but its certainly on my to-do-list which is ever growing
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

so you just put white globes with the colour paper? and just a blue globe for your speedo needle?
 
Re: DIY multi color spedo/dial change

Ok, today i was doing some mucking around with my car and had an idea how to make your needles a different color to our dash lights a 'different' way
so here it is, and remember, take caution and do this at your own risk!

ok, first off Tools:
for this i used:
a sharp knife
masking tape
napkin (for cleaning up)
1500-2000 grit wet dry sand paper (do not use any lower)
smallish paint brush
paint of choice (i used tamia hoby acrylic paint)
Photo0149.jpg


1. Firstly remove the needles from your cluster (and try and remember their position, especially with the fuel and temp gauge)
Photo0139.jpg


2. dis assemble the needle (this applies to the RPM and SPEED needles)
simply pop the backing off and slide it out of the case CAREFULLY
Photo0140.jpg


3. use the sand paper (and i found a little bit of water helps too) and LIGHTLY sand the BACK of the needle and remove the paint stuff on there untill its clear
(remember, lightly... it comes off rather easily so slow and gentle!)
Photo0141.jpg


4. now tape up the sides of the needle to prevent over painting
Photo0142.jpg


5. now apply a paint color of choice (i chose a cherry red, but you can use and color i suppose) then allow to dry (time depends on paint your using) then remove the tape
Photo0144.jpg


6. now for the smaller needles (FUEL and WATER TEMP)
Photo0145.jpg


7. same as before, except these smaller needles DO NOT come apart, so lightly sand the back using the same method until clear
Photo0146.jpg


8. now tape up the sides and give it a lick of paint and allow to dry
Photo0148.jpg

Photo0151.jpg


9. for this step (cleaning up) after the paint has dried remove the tape and if you spot any 'excess' or 'run' on the paint, lightly sand it with the 2000grit sand paper and polish untill smooth and clear
Photo0152.jpg

Photo0153.jpg


10. now reassemble the dials and you should be good to go!

Photo0154.jpg



*side notes*
sanding the needles (regardless of gritt size), you may not be able to get 'super clear' but it shouldnt affect you too much

when sanding the needles, be very careful you dont bend them, because they could either break or leave a crease mark

i tested my needles with 'white' LEDs back lighting, i am unsure of the effects that different color dash lights would have, but pleases post pics here if you do try with different colors

also, any questions, post them here (rather than PM me as my box is pretty full) and i can get back to you easier this way

this method still needs some 'tweaking' but it will set you on the right path

i did not try this with my stock needles, i went to the wreckers and got spares, when in doubt hit up the wreckers!
 
is the painted ones transparent enough where painted?
 
Res said:
is the painted ones transparent enough where painted?
Click to expand...
ah, thats the big misconception about these needles that i noticed

light does not pass through the needle backing at all, it only goes the length

so effectively you can have any color you want (depending on LED's)
so its just like putting a white piece of paper on the inside of a window and looking from the outside you see white, put green paper instead of the white and you see green!
simple!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top