I'm trying to paint my guage needles while I have the dash apart. I can't seem to get the needles to pop off. What is the procedure when removing them?

I Figure I have to weigh the needles (in grams)to offset the weight the paint will add.

 

Some Pics

 

Are you really that bored? WHY?

They may pry off and push on like other cars, but you need to mark where they rest.

 

lol post pics of how it looks in the end! what color you thinking by the way?

 

Here are some pics. I went with orange and it turned out nice. I still plan on painting the black surround a dark gray color. I'm kinda of open. I'll see whats at the paint store.

I used a fork to pry of the needles.

 

That actually doesn't look half bad...and now the stock gauges can match something other than those old school HKS joints

 

Don't- repeat, DO NOT!- remove the needles (too late for the OP but for future viewers...).
It's much safer to mask the gauge faces- and not hard to do- if you want to paint them.

Be very careful of the black faces as they show every single smudge and touch.

 

Congratulations. You have orange needles. Your car is no different than before.

 

The problem is this was done to my other rx7. The gauges do not read correctly. Oil and temp esp. I've read that adding on weight (paint) will cause the needles to read incorrect.

 

I don't know about the "extra weight" theory (my orange needles seem to read the same as before paint) but I do know that the actuating assembly is very delicate (especially the two large gauges) and easily damaged.
Plus, there is a small and carefully calculated amount of preload which causes the needle to return to the stop pin when at rest instead of floating above it.