Gauge Needle Repainting - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 03-28-2012, 01:31 AM

Hey everyone,

I came across a few threads on here about gauge needle repainting and figured I'd give it a shot on my 420SEL. I ordered some Tamiya X-6 Acrylic Orange after looking over some various photos. It was like $6 after shipping.

Here's the pics, let me know what you think:

I'll probably post the other pics from the other cars on this thread when I do them.

disley · #2 03-28-2012, 03:05 AM

They look really good, like new again.

Clemson88 · #3 03-28-2012, 11:47 AM

Good job!

I bought a cheap oil painting set from Walmart and mixed the red and yellow to get something close to that color. I was shooting for Crimson Orange.

I mixed on a sandwich sized zip-lock bag turned inside out then flipped the bag back to the original orientation and pressed the air out after the paint job. Two days later I applied the second coat. I still have enough in the freezer to do the 380SE when I put gears in its odometer.

I put paper between the needles and dial face because I used a 1/4" brush. I found the brush fans out better than the smaller ones. With the brush fanned out I could cut in closer to the black centers the needles protrude from. I also moved the oil pressure needle away from its stop and taped it down to keep the paint from sticking the needle to the stop.

I know, I need a girlfriend or something.

TTravis · #4 03-28-2012, 02:09 PM

Very nice!!

Adler · #5 03-29-2012, 02:02 AM

Nice work.
I have been able to remove the needles using two teaspoons as balanced levers. For paint i used a florescent orange-red spray can.V came very close to the original color.
regards
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just-n-time · #6 03-31-2012, 02:12 AM

Even the white looks brighter on the left side(vacuum,fuel,temp,oil gauges)

JamesDean · #7 03-31-2012, 05:50 AM

I did my dad's 300SD today. It was much more faded than the 420SEL pictured above:

JamesDean · #8 04-04-2012, 04:01 AM

Did my 190E's gauges today. I hopefully fixed an annoying tick from the tripometer. It has trouble resetting. I might look into getting another 2.6 speedo and swapping it in...

hbofinger · #9 04-04-2012, 02:07 PM

A satisfying project!

TTravis · #10 04-04-2012, 03:12 PM

Did you take off the needles or paint them right on the instrument ?

JamesDean · #11 04-04-2012, 03:19 PM

I left the needles on, I used some post-it notes and scotch tape to mask off the faces. If you're careful you should be good. I didnt want to mess with taking the needles off.

hbofinger · #12 04-04-2012, 03:19 PM

When I did it I went non-intrusive. I made a paper mask with a slit to slide under the needle and cover the entire dial face. Also, the paint came out a bit too glossy for my taste, so I finished off with a de-glazer.

TTravis · #13 04-07-2012, 12:19 PM

My Walmart had a very poor indicator lamp selection.