E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Interior => Topic started by: GoMangoBoys on March 21, 2020, 09:31:46 PM

Title: Green dash lights
Post by: GoMangoBoys on March 21, 2020, 09:31:46 PM
We tore apart our dash today and I want to bead blast and paint this panel that has bulbs and green lenses.  The green lenses are riveted on.  Do people typically drill out the rivets and replace with screws? 

I assume that the purpose of this panel is to give the instruments a green glow???
Thanks
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: JS29 on March 22, 2020, 10:55:22 AM
 @GoMangoBoys (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/gomangoboys_5265)         If the lens's are good, and you are glass beading. I would think about taping the lens's up. First with automotive grade masking tape for a base. then about five layers of duct tape.Followed then some SEM etch, trim black and go. :alan2cents: 
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: Mopar5 on May 10, 2020, 07:51:12 AM
SEM trim black is good stuff I use it all time. That's my plan for my light bar as well.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: anlauto on May 10, 2020, 08:57:57 AM
If it's not that rusty, I would leave the lenses in place and just hand sand it....
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on May 10, 2020, 11:44:04 AM
When you put it back in the dash, use bright led bulbs instead of regular incandescent ones. They are dirt cheap, plug and play, and far brighter. Very nice upgrade for pennies.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: B5fourspeed on May 10, 2020, 03:35:42 PM
Just finished my light bar today.I hand sanded it like Alan said then I cleaned it with lacquer thinner and masked off the lenses and light sockets and painted it with sems trim black.Turn out great.Does someone have the # for the LED bulbs for the light bar?
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on May 10, 2020, 03:42:56 PM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/372652525852

Same bulb but I got mine from a different seller. Hard to beat 50 cents each delivered to you door.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: B5fourspeed on May 10, 2020, 04:01:38 PM
Thank You.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: 70/6chall on May 10, 2020, 04:24:08 PM
I restored 3 of them turned out real nice. Thanks,   Al
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: Jay Bee on May 11, 2020, 09:01:14 AM
Quote from: GoMangoBoys on March 21, 2020, 09:31:46 PM
Do people typically drill out the rivets and replace with screws? 
After drilling out the rivets I've replaced them with the same type of semi-tubular ones. You'll also need a rivet clincher if you're going that route. With the lenses off, it's a good opportunity to repaint the inside of the bulb housings.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: cudamadd on May 11, 2020, 04:48:53 PM
Nice job
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: worthywads on May 11, 2020, 07:36:01 PM
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on May 10, 2020, 11:44:04 AM
When you put it back in the dash, use bright led bulbs instead of regular incandescent ones. They are dirt cheap, plug and play, and far brighter. Very nice upgrade for pennies.

I'll second the LED bulbs, I went from very dim dash light that were not enough, to finally getting to use the dimmer to reduce the brightness to what I'm comfortable with.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: usraptor on May 12, 2020, 08:09:34 PM
I masked off the lens with tape and then media blasted the metal in my home cabinet and then painted with SEM black landau.  Then used LED bulbs. 
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: JS29 on May 13, 2020, 05:46:33 AM
@usraptor (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/usraptor_90) That is the way to do it!  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: Skid Row on May 13, 2020, 06:22:07 AM
 :bigthumb: I used smoke colored Plexiglas from some electronic equipment with LEDs.   
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on May 13, 2020, 06:42:25 AM
Quote from: Skid Row on May 13, 2020, 06:22:07 AM
:bigthumb: I used smoke colored Plexiglas from some electronic equipment with LEDs.

That's pretty cool. On my current project, I'm deviating from original in a few areas. I wouldn't mind doing something like that to give the gauges a different look at night.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: Gary AAR on May 13, 2020, 07:08:49 AM
What size rivets did you use to reattach the lens?  Are the rivets aluminum?  Did you use a white hi-temp paint for the bulb housings, or just a regular white paint that could be used with low heat LED bulbs?
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: Jay Bee on May 14, 2020, 06:34:34 AM
Quote from: Gary AAR on May 13, 2020, 07:08:49 AM
What size rivets did you use to reattach the lens?  Are the rivets aluminum?  Did you use a white hi-temp paint for the bulb housings, or just a regular white paint that could be used with low heat LED bulbs?
If this question is aimed at my post here's the answers.
I measured the rivets (lost original invoice) and they seem to be: 1/8 x 3/16 and steel (magnetic).
I just used gloss white hobby paint (have LEDs).
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: dylo on May 31, 2020, 02:15:25 AM
I found an issue with the white LED's that were linked above. The original lens are blue and with the old incandescent (yellow) bulbs mean a green glow. The white LED's through the blue lens makes your gauges glow blue and look a little cheesy IMO!

I have some yellow and green LED's to try next and see what works better. 
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: bc3j on July 04, 2020, 01:10:41 PM
Quote from: dylo on May 31, 2020, 02:15:25 AM
I found an issue with the white LED's that were linked above. The original lens are blue and with the old incandescent (yellow) bulbs mean a green glow. The white LED's through the blue lens makes your gauges glow blue and look a little cheesy IMO!

I have some yellow and green LED's to try next and see what works better.

I use the color of the LED to match the lens cover that's in front of the bulb. Got green LEDs in my rallye dash.
Title: Re: Green dash lights
Post by: dylo on July 11, 2020, 08:37:58 PM
Put the green LEDs in and it looks great.