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Changing gauge needle color for white face overlays

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Old 04-14-2001, 12:56 AM
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Changing gauge needle color for white face overlays

I read that it is best to change the color of the gauge needles when you get the white face overlays. I heard that you do it with some kind of alcohol marker. Can you buy one of these pretty much anywhere?? I want to change them to an orangish-redish color to match the autometer phantom needles. Who has done this and can it be done without taking the needles off?? Thanks.
Old 04-14-2001, 03:21 PM
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Car: 13' ZL1/91' Z28/10' Audi A5
Engine: 6.2L SC/5.7L 350/2.0L Turbo Quattro
Transmission: M6/700R4
well i read something about this on a previous post, dont know which one or when but you can take some fine grit sandpaper and sand the bottom of the needles right on the gauge cluster without removing the needles. the post said that the color of the needle was on the bottom and that the sanding will remove the color and then you can apply the color you want with the marker pen.

if you want try to do a search for this topic. i believe i read this approximately 3-4 months ago, maybe sooner than that.

good luck.

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Old 04-17-2001, 08:46 AM
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see if you can find mike harvey, he did it to his bird and it looked great

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Old 04-17-2001, 10:31 AM
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Yes, the needle is coated with orange. Be advised, I tried this with a special marker and when I turned the lights on at night, it would NOT illuminate.

The sanding sounds like it might work. I would remove the needles though.
Old 04-17-2001, 10:45 AM
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Mikes look sweet, but they key is to REMOVE THE NEEDLES. If you do not remove them and paint the back side of them they will not light up like perviosly said... in fact from the looks of it only the back is coated orange. Mike painted his silver, so the paint doesn't even need to be transparant, just make sure to paint the back!
Old 04-18-2001, 12:07 PM
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What is the easiest way to get the needles off? I ordered my white overlays and I want to get the marker before they get here. How did you make sure that you put the needles back in the same place? Sorry if I sound stupid but it would be my dumb luck to either break one of the needles off or have the damn thing move on me.

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Old 04-18-2001, 02:00 PM
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From what I read on the tech article about DIY White Face gauges you start your car and let it run for a while and note where all of your needles are pointing on each gauge. Then just pull the needles off carefully. When you are ready to replace them run the car again and you will know exactly where they go.
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