Cluster freshening up... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andy4639 · 11-05-2019, 09:59 PM

I'm starting on my daughter's dash cluster and got to wondering. Why did Chevy use this green color on almost every Chevy I have ever took a part it's this same color. There has to be a reason. Even so I'm going with a silver inside to hopefully make the old 194 bulbs look brighter at night.
I painted the needles last night and tonight decided to take it all part and clean it up and brighten it up I hope. May even go with some LED dash lights.
Any good links on LED lights for these cluster? With part numbers and if they will work with the dimmer.

firedemon · 11-05-2019, 10:06 PM

I used chrome paint on the back and kept the green on the front used the led bulbs made a huge difference in brightness and still keeps the green

Andy4639 · 11-05-2019, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedemon

I used chrome paint on the back and kept the green on the front used the led bulbs made a huge difference in brightness and still keeps the green

Do your LED's dim when you dim the lights?
Do you have a link where you got them?

firedemon · 11-08-2019, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Do your LED's dim when you dim the lights?
Do you have a link where you got them?

wow sorry I didn't see this sooner glad you got it figured out mine dont dim with the led s and they were on amazon 194 conversion bulbs just white

Andy4639 · 12-03-2019, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedemon

wow sorry I didn't see this sooner glad you got it figured out mine don't dim with the led s and they were on amazon 194 conversion bulbs just white

Mine dim but not like the regular bulbs do. They go down a little then just off.

I had some other LED bulbs I installed in my 64 SS Impala and put them in the heater & AC panel in my 71.

**chev-obsession** · 12-04-2019, 01:23 AM

nicely done

phlegm · 11-05-2019, 11:19 PM

I just finished doing this to mine have not completely reinstalled it yet what was able to get these pictures. They did a great job they do down but they're not as responsive as regular light bulbs are. I'm not sure if that's the case with all of them. But you do have to turn it almost off and they go down a level or two. I don't know how but I bought two packs and I never could figure out if it was my socket oh, the LED, or the circuit board that wasn't driving but in a couple of spots I had to switch LEDs and switch sockets and move stuff around to get it all to work. But it works out now then I think it looks great. I stay Green what these LEDs. And I did not get the brightest LED I can find either because to me there just wasn't the point I don't want to be blinded going down the road.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07T6...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Andy4639 · 11-06-2019, 12:03 AM

Thanks,
I ordered them. They should be here Friday and I can get it put back together and check them out.

rpmerf · 11-07-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlegm

I don't know how but I bought two packs and I never could figure out if it was my socket oh, the LED, or the circuit board that wasn't driving but in a couple of spots I had to switch LEDs and switch sockets and move stuff around to get it all to work.

Be aware that LEDs are are diodes and can only be installed in 1 direction. If you switch up positive and negative, they will not work. Incandescent bulbs can be installed in either direction.

palallin · 11-06-2019, 10:16 PM

The muted green keeps the glare of the lights from overwhelming the driver's night vision.

Andy4639 · 11-06-2019, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palallin

The muted green keeps the glare of the lights from overwhelming the driver's night vision.

Maybe it will be like driving with a HUD system in the truck!

toolboxchev · 11-06-2019, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palallin

The muted green keeps the glare of the lights from overwhelming the driver's night vision.

Most likely that yet I also think they may have been using something like what was utilized on war planes. I think its a zinc,phoshate style of paint.

volksworld · 11-07-2019, 09:27 AM

think they were going for the color of the old luminescent radium watch dials and aircraft instruments...to imitate "cutting edge atomic age technology"...

**BigBird05** · 11-07-2019, 09:54 AM

I just got some LED's from a junk yard late model chevy cluster. Has anybody used these yet? How do they look?

Andy4639 · 11-07-2019, 10:12 AM

volksworld,
think they were going for the color of the old luminescent radium watch dials and aircraft instruments...to imitate "cutting edge atomic age technology"...

I hadn't thought of that before, that maybe true since that was a big thing back in the day.

Well I have the panels painted the chrome spray paint for now. I'm going to clean the lens up good and repaint the dash outer rim with the chrome paint as well and see how it looks then decide if I need to buy a new one.
Hope it want be so bright it blinds her when driving it. I can always go back to the regular bulbs.

phlegm · 11-07-2019, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Well I have the panels painted the chrome spray paint for now. I'm going to clean the lens up good and repaint the dash outer rim with the chrome paint as well and see how it looks then decide if I need to buy a new one.
Hope it want be so bright it blinds her when driving it. I can always go back to the regular bulbs.

Thats kinda why I stayed green and got the lower powred LEDs. Cant wait to see the update!

OregonNed · 11-07-2019, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volksworld

think they were going for the color of the old luminescent radium watch dials and aircraft instruments...to imitate "cutting edge atomic age technology"...

I like this answer!

Andy4639 · 11-07-2019, 01:41 PM

Temporary have the dash together with a old cluster dash I had. Waiting on the one I'm gonna use to dry. This was with the incandescent bulbs also. I did a mod to the cluster also to use pipe foam cover for the lens pads and it blocks off the light shining places it doesn't need to.

I used the GM converter my dad gave me to light it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29t-_jFCiqg

You Tube

phlegm · 11-07-2019, 03:23 PM

Looks Great

Andy4639 · 11-07-2019, 06:30 PM

Well after a few test here is the lights dimming down. I hooked all of them up to do this to show it better.

I will be taking the cluster out of the Ramp truck and adding these to it as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYEE6VDmwo0

You Tube

71gmcC15 · 11-07-2019, 07:24 PM

I did the same thing a couple years ago but only painted the needles. Also kept the old bulbs. It maches my pickup well. Not to noticeable that I did any thing but made it look better

Toro · 11-07-2019, 09:23 PM

Andy, what chrome paint did you use?

Also does anybody know what paint matches the original green?

Andy4639 · 11-08-2019, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toro

Andy, what chrome paint did you use?

Also does anybody know what paint matches the original green?

The paint is Wal mart brand I had here at the house. It turned out OK but it had a few spots in it. I took red scotchpad to it before I painted it to. I don't understand why it soted like it did though. Not bad for a spray can though.
I can say this about the green. My local paint store can zap it I bet and get dang near perfect color. They did my 64 SS Impala and it's a 100% match up. I may take a old dash to them and see what they come up with.
Here are some pictures of the Impala. I painted the dash, tack cup, steering column and the center console with a can of spray paint.

littlehopper · 11-08-2019, 02:04 PM

Great job, this is one of my winter projects.

11-05-2019, 09:59 PM	#1
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Cluster freshening up... I'm starting on my daughter's dash cluster and got to wondering. Why did Chevy use this green color on almost every Chevy I have ever took a part it's this same color. There has to be a reason. Even so I'm going with a silver inside to hopefully make the old 194 bulbs look brighter at night. I painted the needles last night and tonight decided to take it all part and clean it up and brighten it up I hope. May even go with some LED dash lights. Any good links on LED lights for these cluster? With part numbers and if they will work with the dimmer. Attached Images __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-05-2019, 10:06 PM	#2
firedemon Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: @ Posts: 890	Re: Cluster freshening up... I used chrome paint on the back and kept the green on the front used the led bulbs made a huge difference in brightness and still keeps the green

12-04-2019, 01:23 AM	#6
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,470	Re: Cluster freshening up... nicely done __________________ 1965 c/10 swb 1969 c/10 lwb

11-05-2019, 11:19 PM	#7
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	Re: Cluster freshening up... I just finished doing this to mine have not completely reinstalled it yet what was able to get these pictures. They did a great job they do down but they're not as responsive as regular light bulbs are. I'm not sure if that's the case with all of them. But you do have to turn it almost off and they go down a level or two. I don't know how but I bought two packs and I never could figure out if it was my socket oh, the LED, or the circuit board that wasn't driving but in a couple of spots I had to switch LEDs and switch sockets and move stuff around to get it all to work. But it works out now then I think it looks great. I stay Green what these LEDs. And I did not get the brightest LED I can find either because to me there just wasn't the point I don't want to be blinded going down the road. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07T6...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Attached Images __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

11-06-2019, 12:03 AM	#8
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Cluster freshening up... Thanks, I ordered them. They should be here Friday and I can get it put back together and check them out. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-06-2019, 10:16 PM	#10
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: Cluster freshening up... The muted green keeps the glare of the lights from overwhelming the driver's night vision. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

11-07-2019, 09:27 AM	#13
volksworld Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: formerly NY currentlyNC Posts: 389	Re: Cluster freshening up... think they were going for the color of the old luminescent radium watch dials and aircraft instruments...to imitate "cutting edge atomic age technology"... __________________ 1970 short step c10 leaf spring 454

11-07-2019, 09:54 AM	#14
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: Cluster freshening up... I just got some LED's from a junk yard late model chevy cluster. Has anybody used these yet? How do they look?

11-07-2019, 10:12 AM	#15
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Cluster freshening up... volksworld, think they were going for the color of the old luminescent radium watch dials and aircraft instruments...to imitate "cutting edge atomic age technology"... I hadn't thought of that before, that maybe true since that was a big thing back in the day. Well I have the panels painted the chrome spray paint for now. I'm going to clean the lens up good and repaint the dash outer rim with the chrome paint as well and see how it looks then decide if I need to buy a new one. Hope it want be so bright it blinds her when driving it. I can always go back to the regular bulbs. Attached Images __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-07-2019, 03:23 PM	#19
phlegm Still Green but learning Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central NC Posts: 1,895	Re: Cluster freshening up... Looks Great __________________ -- Cory 71 Cheyenne 10 - SWB, 350, "3 on the tree" AC cab 07 Suburban LTZ 4x4 2010 Acura TL 98 Mastercraft "FrankenStar" 225 27253 UPS/USPS IIOY....nope never was

11-07-2019, 07:24 PM	#21
71gmcC15 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Doland SD Posts: 836	Re: Cluster freshening up... I did the same thing a couple years ago but only painted the needles. Also kept the old bulbs. It maches my pickup well. Not to noticeable that I did any thing but made it look better Attached Images __________________ ( second times the charm) 71 gmc c15 307 sbc 373 rear gears positrac sm 465 trans. ( not listed on spid but is original ) 94 chevy k1500 350 tbi 373 rear gears 4l60e one wheel peel. Gutless 07 gmc sierra classic rcsb 4.3 lt 5 speed w/t 04 chevy Silverado 1500 ext cab 5.3 4l60e. 81 chevy Scottsdale k10 muncie sm465 Np208 10 bolt 8.2 ( Old Green)

11-07-2019, 09:23 PM	#22
Toro Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 340	Re: Cluster freshening up... Andy, what chrome paint did you use? Also does anybody know what paint matches the original green?

11-08-2019, 02:04 PM	#24
littlehopper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Port Murray, NJ Posts: 147	Re: Cluster freshening up... Great job, this is one of my winter projects.



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