How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster

[Lugnutz65]

Hey, WOW! That looks great! You did a nice job. There are many great contributors on this website. TheAstronaut is one of them! Did you line the carboard tubes with foil tape?

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Hey, WOW! That looks great! You did a nice job. There are many great contributors on this website. TheAstronaut is one of them! Did you line the carboard tubes with foil tape?

I didn't do that. I used two 3 layers of the colored transparent stuff and was afraid of it was any brighter when lit up that it would shine through too much. When I hook it up I will know for sure. If its dim I may do that. This transparent stuff is much more thin than the original.
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[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by JWheeler331

I didn't do that. I used two 3 layers of the colored transparent stuff and was afraid of it was any brighter when lit up that it would shine through too much. When I hook it up I will know for sure. If its dim I may do that. This transparent stuff is much more thin than the original.
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I also used the transparent plastic film. I used 3 or 4 layers to try and match the original color. How many layers did you use?
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[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by JWheeler331

. . . was afraid if it was any brighter when lit up that it would shine through too much.
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I thought about using LED but then you can't dim them. They stay the same brightness. Then again, I have the dimmer all the way up on all my vehicles, so I doubt that I would dim them anyway.

I did bench test my gauge lights (all stock bulbs) after my resto and I think the 3 or 4 layers will look just right.

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I thought about using LED but then you can't dim them. They stay the same brightness. Then again, I have the dimmer all the way up on all my vehicles, so I doubt that I would dim them anyway.

I did bench test my gauge lights (all stock bulbs) after my resto and I think the 3 or 4 layers will look just right.

I put a flashlight with about the same brightness in the back and checked them out. I think it will shine nicely when in the truck.