White gauge faces
06-11-02, 11:14 PM
#31
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i used red bulbs for a while and they look sweet in red at night but it's kind of hard to see the red needles against the red backlight. here's what they look like noramlly w/ clear bulbs
06-12-02, 08:43 PM
#33
Fd3BOOST: PM me your mailing address, and I'll send you the acetate. I should have enough for another set. Worse case scenario, you will have it for reference if you need to go to the art store for more.
Bulbs were Polargs I believe. Should not make a difference for this application, as long as it puts out enough light hehe. I cannot remember the bulb number, but it's a standard dash bulb like used in Hondas if I remember correctly. The ones I got were a very dark red. I remember I replaced only two. The one by the oil/water gauges were a different size, and I can not remember why I did not try to find that in red too. Anyways, it looks fine now and I'm not going to bother.
The red acetate was basically cut to match the outline of the gauge face. You just have to worry about it covering any part that illuminates - which is basically all the letter/numbering.
Leave a little uncovered space where possible so that you can use clear tape to make sure it stays in place (again, on the back side of course). You do not have to be too concerned with taping every corner, as that there will be natural pressure from the guage assembly once you reassemble it. Do not worry about the clear tape covering part of the lettering/numbering - does not show up at all when installed.
You could experiment with multiple layers of acetate, and maybe get away with not having to buy red bulbs, or change the shade of red to your preference. As it is now, it's a nice bright red, kind neon. This is with one layer of acetate and the red bulbs mentioned above.
potatobbq: Yeah, a bit of contrast is lost, but it's workable. Nothing to make me want to try another color. Did I mention I think red is sexy?
tinfan82: The best and easiest way to achieve blue lettering/numbering is just to order blackcatcustom gauges with that backlighting. The needle comes in red, so blue needles may be difficult. Find some clear needles off a Civic or something, paint them with clear blue paint (RC/model hobby store) maybe? Not sure if the needles will fit or are the right length.
Bulbs were Polargs I believe. Should not make a difference for this application, as long as it puts out enough light hehe. I cannot remember the bulb number, but it's a standard dash bulb like used in Hondas if I remember correctly. The ones I got were a very dark red. I remember I replaced only two. The one by the oil/water gauges were a different size, and I can not remember why I did not try to find that in red too. Anyways, it looks fine now and I'm not going to bother.
The red acetate was basically cut to match the outline of the gauge face. You just have to worry about it covering any part that illuminates - which is basically all the letter/numbering.
Leave a little uncovered space where possible so that you can use clear tape to make sure it stays in place (again, on the back side of course). You do not have to be too concerned with taping every corner, as that there will be natural pressure from the guage assembly once you reassemble it. Do not worry about the clear tape covering part of the lettering/numbering - does not show up at all when installed.
You could experiment with multiple layers of acetate, and maybe get away with not having to buy red bulbs, or change the shade of red to your preference. As it is now, it's a nice bright red, kind neon. This is with one layer of acetate and the red bulbs mentioned above.
potatobbq: Yeah, a bit of contrast is lost, but it's workable. Nothing to make me want to try another color. Did I mention I think red is sexy?
tinfan82: The best and easiest way to achieve blue lettering/numbering is just to order blackcatcustom gauges with that backlighting. The needle comes in red, so blue needles may be difficult. Find some clear needles off a Civic or something, paint them with clear blue paint (RC/model hobby store) maybe? Not sure if the needles will fit or are the right length.
06-12-02, 10:03 PM
#34
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Originally posted by dclin
potatobbq: Yeah, a bit of contrast is lost, but it's workable. Nothing to make me want to try another color. Did I mention I think red is sexy?
potatobbq: Yeah, a bit of contrast is lost, but it's workable. Nothing to make me want to try another color. Did I mention I think red is sexy?
i wish there was a painless way of changing the bulbs on the gauge cluster
06-16-03, 01:56 AM
#36
Originally posted by Rx7 TwinTurbo
http://www.blackcatcustom.com/store.htm
http://www.nrauto.com/
Mine are from BCC.The NR ones don't fit that well on the tach I think (not sure). I got the Black Cat ones because they let me pick everything from the color to the font.
http://www.blackcatcustom.com/store.htm
http://www.nrauto.com/
Mine are from BCC.The NR ones don't fit that well on the tach I think (not sure). I got the Black Cat ones because they let me pick everything from the color to the font.
06-16-03, 06:40 AM
#37
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more pics of bcc's if anybodys got any, i want to see if they are worth the price?? anybody had any trouble with these??
seen loads of color options for these, it that just the backlight color??
seen loads of color options for these, it that just the backlight color??
06-16-03, 12:09 PM
#39
Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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Originally posted by Fd3BOOST
This thread is back from the dead.
I would also like to see the black cat customs though. I have never seen them.
This thread is back from the dead.
I would also like to see the black cat customs though. I have never seen them.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...light=interior
I got a close up of the gauges from Black Cat Customs but I'll have to wait until I get home to post those.
06-16-03, 07:21 PM
#41
Gabriel Gonzales = Crook.
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Well, I only have this one. Its just a sample of what they can do. They can basically make you any kind of font or back light color you want. Go to their website and shoot them an email.
12-27-03, 12:27 AM
#42
Pics of my custom replacement gauge faces for my HKS meters. www.blackcatcustom.com did the work.
Bought an old HKS boost meter (old school) off of eBay, but the backlighting was green and the face looks like it had been out in the sun too long. Found new HKS temp gauges to match at www.hksusa.com, but they only had black face/green backlight. Being second in analness only to jimlab, I needed a matching solution. Blackcatcustom indicated they do custom gauges, so I gave them a try.
New faces top row, orginal faces bottom row. (yes, they're switched. It's late, ok? ) As you can see, the font size is a bit larger for the replacements, as that blackcat could not do them any smaller. Ok by me, as that it makes it easier to read (for these tired, old eyes). If I didn't have the originals, I wouldn't have know better anyways.
The faces are cut out nicely - perfectly round and the holes match up exactly. They did forget to drill the 'needle stop' hole on the temp gauge (dead bottom center), but no biggie - I have a drill bit that small that will do the trick. The original boost gauge does not have one (mech gauge).
Bought an old HKS boost meter (old school) off of eBay, but the backlighting was green and the face looks like it had been out in the sun too long. Found new HKS temp gauges to match at www.hksusa.com, but they only had black face/green backlight. Being second in analness only to jimlab, I needed a matching solution. Blackcatcustom indicated they do custom gauges, so I gave them a try.
New faces top row, orginal faces bottom row. (yes, they're switched. It's late, ok?
) As you can see, the font size is a bit larger for the replacements, as that blackcat could not do them any smaller. Ok by me, as that it makes it easier to read (for these tired, old eyes). If I didn't have the originals, I wouldn't have know better anyways.The faces are cut out nicely - perfectly round and the holes match up exactly. They did forget to drill the 'needle stop' hole on the temp gauge (dead bottom center), but no biggie - I have a drill bit that small that will do the trick. The original boost gauge does not have one (mech gauge).
Last edited by dclin; 12-27-03 at 12:53 AM.
