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New gauge faces, not cant see needles

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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:39 PM
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New gauge faces, not cant see needles

Hey guys, i just put some reverse light gauges in my cluster, they look great, but they light up a dark blue, and just the number light up, my problem is not with these i cant see the needles at all pretty much, anyone have this problem, any idea, it looks good an different but i also like the oem cluster the way it was, so if i cant figure something out i will just go back to stock, just wanted to try something different
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:44 PM
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get used to it or remove the faces. there is other possibilities like installing some glow needles from a different cluster but that would be a PITA to do.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 12:56 PM
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yea, i can see alittle if i really look, but it sucks trying real hard to look when your driving, they look good though, i have to try to post a pic
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:09 PM
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i have the reverse glow gauges so i know what you're talking about, i can see them but it isn't as easy as it used to be. i still don't have a problem with it really, maybe i just got used to it. you did leave the original bulbs in the cluster correct? you could also have soime burnt out bulbs back there in the cluster that provide a small amount of light.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:17 PM
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just a suggestion....

what about UV reactive paint? they make a clear almost nailpolish like paint that glows under UV light.....brush some of that on your needles and run a pair of UV led's into your cluster - VOILA - bright needles....
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:27 PM
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where do you find UV LEDs?

answered my own Q:

http://cgi.ebay.com/10x-Ready-12v-5m...QQcmdZViewItem

Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Jan 26, 2006 at 01:30 PM.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:34 PM
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Classicauto..... thats kinda what i was wondering if there was some kinda paint or something to use

Karack.....yea i left all of the bulbs they all work, but it dont help or hurt for that matter
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 01:51 PM
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i took pics but need someone to post them
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:00 PM
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i remember something from a couple of years ago.......the needles i'm pretty sure are weighted so paint on them will weigh them down and read inaccurately.

just something i remember
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:10 PM
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host them yourself here:

http://imageshack.us/


1 light coat of UV reflective paint should not weigh down the needles much at all, 5 coats would weigh it down quite a bit. i would just lightly paint them since the reflection will be bright anyways.

Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Jan 26, 2006 at 02:12 PM.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:14 PM
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by classicauto
just a suggestion....

what about UV reactive paint? they make a clear almost nailpolish like paint that glows under UV light.....brush some of that on your needles and run a pair of UV led's into your cluster - VOILA - bright needles....
Took the words right out of my mouth. I live by LEDs, I did the same thing for my car. I usually buy right out of Hong Kong in Bulk. If time is taken, everything in the car (all climate ect) looks good with a LED behind it.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Karack
host them yourself here:

http://imageshack.us/


1 light coat of UV reflective paint should not weigh down the needles much at all, 5 coats would weigh it down quite a bit. i would just lightly paint them since the reflection will be bright anyways.

never saw any done but i bet it would look nice. i know one guy was worried about the weight and he trimmed a VERY slight amout of the end of the needle and said it was still pretty accurate.

i'd like to see pics of it done if anybody has em
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:29 PM
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i will probably try it out if i can find some ricer UV LEDs at wal mart or somewhere that carries the ricer line of goodies so i can hack it up and install it in the cluster. i just can't picture ordering a few LEDs for this purpose.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 02:54 PM
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I had previosly order some of those i put them on but i busted two needles if there an easy way to pull the needle cuz i order another cluster
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 03:57 PM
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pics

not the best up you get the idea
Attached Thumbnails New gauge faces, not cant see needles-cluster1.jpg   New gauge faces, not cant see needles-clusternight1.jpg  
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:38 PM
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do this. paint your needles white, DO NOT REMOVE THE NEEDLES or you will have a very hard time re-calibrating them. (learned the hard way, and had to buy a new guage cluster) anyway, paint the needles white or get someone who good at it to paint them white. then, if you take your guage cluster out and look at it there are 3 long slits in the bottom of the black panel (piece between guages and glass) and take the clear plastic that goes into those 3 slits out and throw it away and put a real small blacklight under the 3 slits and your needls will glow. that probly didnt make the best of sense cuase i suck at explaining
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:45 PM
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thats what i was looking for, that makes sense to me from what i remember when i had it apart, i may try that way, did you try this? any pics?
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