What was the original colour of the rallye dash gauge needles? Was it more of a reddish and they faded to orange or were they orange to begin with?
I think they are a special paint designed to glow under the dash lights. I found out the hard way when I painted a set a (very close to original orange color) but it did not glow at night. So when it got dark at night and I turned on the dash lights I had really hard to see gauge needles. Went back and painted them with a florescent orange and they work great now. So whatever color you use just be sure to check it with the factory light first. :alan2cents:
I've used testors model paint. I believe its fluorescent red. I have the bottle at work.
John that looks like the colour they're using on mine but I question if it's the same as original. They should know what they're doing but I hate paying someone to do it and have it wrong.
I bet the key is to use a fluorescent color.
I also think they should be more orange. So why would a restoration shop paint them reddish? These guys do great work, you would think they would know what the right colour is. They redid my tach and speedo including painting the needles. They did not paint the oil/amp/fuel/temp gauges or the clock. You can see the difference in the picture. I sent it back and they are going to paint the o/a/f/t and clock. Now it will be all reddish but I don't think that's right.
I should have them back this week. I better have them back this week!!! We'll wait and see. I'll post a pic when I get them seeking professional input.
I'm not sure what the exact factory color was, but when I took the cleanest original samples to the craft store to match it up (for the 2nd time) the florescent orange looked super close. And it works with the lights at night!
Quote from: blown motor on April 03, 2017, 03:13:28 PM
So why would a restoration shop paint them reddish?
I'm just guessing here but maybe it's an availability issue. You can't always get the same products in Canada that you can in America. That being said, they still should have tried to source a better match even if it meant going south of the 49th.
Too bad I'm late to the party or I could have just let you use my bottle and saved all that shipping.
The shipping was $28. Worth it as they will do a better job than I would. Plus, after I got them back and saw that the speedometer looked like new it made the tach look shabby. So they're going to put a new 7000 face on the tach and recalibrate it. Then it will be correct for a 74.
I've been saying you needed help for years Murray, but did you listen? Nooooo. :D
I'm pretty sure this is the company that was supplying that type of paint back in the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viC44r1w0Is
As I said earlier I sent the gauges back for paint on the o/f/t/a gauge and clock and to have the tach refaced and recalibrated. The resto shop called today and said the lens is broke and text me a picture. Broken in two spots and now I have to get a new one. I had it packed really well and they agreed with that, so either it still got damaged in shipping or the shop broke it and won't admit it. There's no way for me to know. It looks like I'm going to have to learn how to do this stuff myself! :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair:
Who are you sending it to ? Please don't say Mr. Heaterbox
:verymad: That sucks! Nobody wins. :Thud:
Yes Alan, that's who it is. Have you had a bad experience with them?
Quote from: blown motor on April 04, 2017, 12:52:37 PM
Yes Alan, that's who it is. Have you had a bad experience with them?
I've heard absolutely nothing but bad things about them....I did a 70 Super Bee where the owner had them restore the dash and the wiring....first off it looked like crap, then they also had a bunch of wire crossed.
Had another customer with a 71 Charger who had them restore his wire harness's....complete mess of mixed wires :pullinghair:
Wow sorry to hear this Murray! :pullinghair: Not cool!
Hope you can find a reasonably priced used lens. The repops are pretty pricey in my opinion.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PG-Classic-201-2-Mopar-1972-74-E-body-Rallye-Dash-Gauge-Lens-/322454768876?fits=Model%3ACuda&hash=item4b13cd4cec:g:4qgAAOSwnDZT~JiC&vxp=mtr
Quote from: anlauto on April 04, 2017, 01:12:58 PM
Quote from: blown motor on April 04, 2017, 12:52:37 PM
Yes Alan, that's who it is. Have you had a bad experience with them?
I've heard absolutely nothing but bad things about them....I did a 70 Super Bee where the owner had them restore the dash and the wiring....first off it looked like crap, then they also had a bunch of wire crossed.
Had another customer with a 71 Charger who had them restore his wire harness's....complete mess of mixed wires :pullinghair:
"looked like crap" did you see the pic of my gauges earlier in this thread. Why would they send it back with two gauges reddish and two orange. That looked like crap also.
Who is Mr. Heaterbox? I've never heard of them? :huh:
Quote from: Jay Bee on April 04, 2017, 01:37:40 PM
Hope you can find a reasonably priced used lens. The repops are pretty pricey in my opinion.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PG-Classic-201-2-Mopar-1972-74-E-body-Rallye-Dash-Gauge-Lens-/322454768876?fits=Model%3ACuda&hash=item4b13cd4cec:g:4qgAAOSwnDZT~JiC&vxp=mtr
John, at this point I'm going for a new lens just to get it done. That will be quicker than searching out a good used one and likely no more expensive than buying used and having them polish it. He quoted me a good price on a new one.
Do you still have the tool you made (?) to take apart your steering column? I would like to borrow it for next winter if I may. You can bring it with you when you come to my BBQ in Sept. There, now you have to come! :yes:
Drum shot smiley. I like it. I'll try to remember to add it when I get home. :handshake:
Quote from: Cuda Cody on March 29, 2017, 11:55:07 AM
I think they are a special paint designed to glow under the dash lights. I found out the hard way when I painted a set a (very close to original orange color) but it did not glow at night. So when it got dark at night and I turned on the dash lights I had really hard to see gauge needles. Went back and painted them with a florescent orange and they work great now. So whatever color you use just be sure to check it with the factory light first. :alan2cents:
[/quote
Did you pick this up at a craft store?
Yes, :yes: my local craft store had lots of them.
Quote from: Shoooter on April 19, 2017, 09:17:45 PM
Quote from: Cuda Cody on March 29, 2017, 11:55:07 AM
I think they are a special paint designed to glow under the dash lights. I found out the hard way when I painted a set a (very close to original orange color) but it did not glow at night. So when it got dark at night and I turned on the dash lights I had really hard to see gauge needles. Went back and painted them with a florescent orange and they work great now. So whatever color you use just be sure to check it with the factory light first. :alan2cents:
[/quote
Did you pick this up at a craft store?
Great info. Whats the best way to go about restoring the needs so the the paint looks good along the edges?
Just decided to check for the Krylon on ebay. So, if your local hobby shop doesn't carry it or can't get it there's always this option.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-KRYLON-SHORT-CUTS-GLOW-ORANGE-HOBBY-CRAFT-ENAMEL-PAINT-SCB-022-/112362463256?hash=item1a29532018:g:qmsAAOxy5DtTmLTU
I use a tiny brush. When I say tiny, it's super small. I've never had any issues and they always look great.
Quote from: Convertcuda on April 20, 2017, 04:33:18 AM
Great info. Whats the best way to go about restoring the needs so the the paint looks good along the edges?
You must have a steady hand. How do you keep it off the black? Nice job. Like to see a pic of that tiny brush.
Ken
Quote from: Convertcuda on April 20, 2017, 03:04:05 PM
You must have a steady hand. How do you keep it off the black? Nice job. Like to see a pic of that tiny brush.
Ken
It's pretty easy to mask the gauge face, simply make a slit in a piece of paper & slip the paper under the needle so the stem is in the slit.....
FINALLY! I got my gauges back yesterday. They look excellent. Now I need to find time to put them back in.
Well, let's see the final result.
Back from where ? I thought you already got them back :clueless:
Oh gosh Alan! I sent them back to get the other needles painted the same colour. Also they did such a great job on the speedo that the tach looked terrible so I had them reface it with the proper 7000 face and recalibrate it. You would think since I wasn't happy and sent it back they would make it a priority and get it back to me ASAP but it still took nearly three weeks. I'm pleased with the end result but I'm so glad to be done with these people.
That looks fantastic!!!!! :perfect10:
Thanks Cody. Do you tape the sides of orange needle off so no orange paint gets on the black?
Nope, just lean my wrist on something and freehand it. It's pretty easy.
Quote from: Convertcuda on April 23, 2017, 06:23:58 PM
Thanks Cody. Do you tape the sides of orange needle off so no orange paint gets on the black?
Hey Murray,
They look great! Sorry to hear that it was such a hassle. I was hoping that it was all go smoothly for you.
Jason
Thanks Jason. I'm really fed up with them. I put the gauges in Sunday evening. On the tach, when I took it out, there was a spade terminal on the bottom post and a 90* bullet connector in the top post. He reversed them if you can image!! I called about it and he said that the internals can go in either way. But why would a restoration shop NOT restore it the way it originally was. My car is a 74 and it's not nearly all factory correct but still. :pullinghair:
Don't ever do business with Mr Heaterbox, ever!
Ask Mauro Brocca about the tach one of his customers had done there.....it somehow worked backwards :drunk:
Now you're scaring me Alan. :stop:
:stop: There's a lot of stories around about "Mr. Heaterbox" :(
Wow! What a difference!
Quote from: Convertcuda on April 23, 2017, 06:23:58 PM
Thanks Cody. Do you tape the sides of orange needle off so no orange paint gets on the black?
If your black gauge with white lettering is original, try not to touch it at all, and definitely don't put tape on it.
Touching the white lettering can smear it onto the black, and then you'll never get it to look right again unless you send it out to be relettered.
If you want to mask the face while painting the needle, maybe just slide a piece of paper between them like Randy suggested above.
Alan, do you have contact info for Mauro Brocca? I would like to talk to him before I fire mine up.
Quote from: blown motor on April 25, 2017, 12:51:42 PM
Alan, do you have contact info for Mauro Brocca? I would like to talk to him before I fire mine up.
Try contacting him through his web site http://performancecarrestorations.com/ :alan2cents:
I fired it up tonight to see how things work. I have an Autogage tach on the column. The tach that was in there was an 8000 and it was way out. I had them put in a 7000 (correct for the car) and re-calibrate it. At 1000 on the Autogage the dash one read 1450, at 2500 on the Autogage the dash one read 3050. :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair:
I'm so sick of this that I think I'm just going to leave it for this year and finish putting the dash back together so I can drive it.
Unless....(where's that drum roll emoji?)....there is a quick and easy way to accurately calibrate the tach. Any suggestions?
Quote from: blown motor on April 25, 2017, 05:59:06 PM
I fired it up tonight to see how things work. I have an Autogage tach on the column. The tach that was in there was an 8000 and it was way out. I had them put in a 7000 (correct for the car) and re-calibrate it. At 1000 on the Autogage the dash one read 1450, at 2500 on the Autogage the dash one read 3050. :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair:
I'm so sick of this that I think I'm just going to leave it for this year and finish putting the dash back together so I can drive it.
Unless....(where's that drum roll emoji?)....there is a quick and easy way to accurately calibrate the tach. Any suggestions?
:Thud: :sorry: Wow that sucks! Good grief after all that.....
Quote from: blown motor on April 25, 2017, 05:59:06 PM
I fired it up tonight to see how things work. I have an Autogage tach on the column. The tach that was in there was an 8000 and it was way out. I had them put in a 7000 (correct for the car) and re-calibrate it. At 1000 on the Autogage the dash one read 1450, at 2500 on the Autogage the dash one read 3050. :pullinghair: :pullinghair: :pullinghair:
I'm so sick of this that I think I'm just going to leave it for this year and finish putting the dash back together so I can drive it.
Unless....(where's that drum roll emoji?)....there is a quick and easy way to accurately calibrate the tach. Any suggestions?
Oh man that sucks.
Just to play devil's advocate, are you sure that the auto gauge tach is correct?
It hasn't been a good winter for us Brad. You with your bumper troubles and me with my gauges.
I sure thinks so Jason. I have 3.23 gears and it reads about 2500 at 60mph. That seems about right to me. I'm going to get a buddy to check it with a timing light just to see.
Are your newly painted gauge needles visible with your dash lights, or are they hard to see like on Cody's first attempt at painting gauge needles?
I don't have the dash lights back in yet. I'll try to remember to post about that when I get it all back together.
Murray, I've got an old Sun Super tach that you could use as a third control if you want to. I might even deliver it. :yes:
Not to steal the thread but who does a quality job on the restoring the gauges these days? Someone that would do it right the first time.
I hear good things about...
Auto Instruments
Instrument Specialties
Redline Gauges
Well I finally got everything put back together this afternoon and this long frustrating process is over. It looks good but I couldn't get the switch bezel to line up perfectly with the gauge bezel as you can see by the silver line top and bottom. I can push it up in line but it won't stay there. Funny thing, when I got home and looked at the pictures I noticed I missed tightening one screw. By the time I got it all back together it was raining so I didn't bring it home. I need to make some room in the shed for it anyway.
You can see that Mr heaterbox who did the restoration work can put out a good looking end result but they are so frustrating to deal with that I highly recommend not doing business with them. Enough said.
Looks really good!!! :takepicture: Rallye dashes rock!
I agree with Cody, Murray, it looks great and truth be known, it probably fits at least as well as when it left the factory. :bigthumb:
How does everyone clean and polish the clear plastic cover? Also what is the best way to clean the black background without damaging it?
I polish them just like I polish paint. I use a small little 3" polish wheel on an air tool. If you are only doing it once or twice you might be okay with a cheap tool..
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-pneumatic-polisher-kit-99934.html
I use the 3 pads just like polishing a car... Wool, yellow, black pads.
Quote from: Shoooter on July 07, 2017, 01:53:59 PM
How does everyone clean and polish the clear plastic cover? Also what is the best way to clean the black background without damaging it?
Got the needles done now to polish the plastic!
Looks good. :twothumbsup:
Yes, that looks good.
nice work ! :slapme5:
After looking at a picture of my needles before they don't look as orange as before? Should i find another colour Or are these acceptable? I have the lens polished up and ready for install.
If you are happy, then that is all that matters. If they were mine I would prefer them a little more orange and I would double check to make sure they glow with the light (special paint). :alan2cents:
It's the same fluorescent paint jay bee used on his. The only other paint I can find in town is very very orange almost to orange.
Just run with it. It will look good as it is. :twothumbsup:
Quote from: Shoooter on July 28, 2017, 03:33:10 PM
It's the same fluorescent paint jay bee used on his. The only other paint I can find in town is very very orange almost to orange.