Bodywork, Paint, Interior, Trim, & Wiring

discussions about bodywork, paint, interiors, trim, audio, electrical components, wiring, etc.

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MGB SS
Joe Schafer
Central Michigan
(150 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 06:46AM

Main British Car:
1971 Mgb 1991 5.0 Ford

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Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: MGB SS
Date: August 29, 2018 08:06PM

Has anyone taken the glass off the stock smith gauges to paint the needles Red?
My new gauges have Red needles but thinking I might want to keep the square oil pressure gauge in the new dash


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6493 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 30, 2018 07:46AM

It's pretty easy Joe, the bezel spins to where the tabs line up with the notches and it all comes apart. Worst thing is when the seal has decayed and sticks it all together. On some occasions I have had to pry the tabs out but that's best avoided if possible, maybe wick some solvent in around the edges to loosen things up. The needles will come off with a couple of small prybars to evenly lift, protect the faces of course. Lastly, be scrupulously clean going back together. I've used o-ring material for new gaskets.



Jim


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4552 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 30, 2018 08:59AM

Did you find an oil pressure gauge, Joe?
Get Your BritishV8 T-shirt by clicking here


ex-tyke
Graham Creswick
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
(1166 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:17AM

Main British Car:
1976 MGB Ford 302

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Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: ex-tyke
Date: August 30, 2018 09:31AM

Quote:
It's pretty easy Joe, the bezel spins to where the tabs line up with the notches and it all comes apart...


That method doesn't work well with a square oil gauge.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4552 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 30, 2018 08:00PM

Or even a rectangular oil gauge. ;)


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6493 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 31, 2018 09:38AM

Huh. You learn something new every day I guess. And bending the tabs out without deforming the bezel is a bit of a challenge too but maybe you could clamp it in a vise with smooth jaws first.

Jim


MGB SS
Joe Schafer
Central Michigan
(150 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 06:46AM

Main British Car:
1971 Mgb 1991 5.0 Ford

authors avatar
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: MGB SS
Date: August 31, 2018 06:40PM

Ah I see you moved me, I have to see if I can find my original one to experiment on, if not I will be looking for a rectangle oil gauge



MG four six eight
Bill Jacobson
Wa state
(325 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 02:15AM

Main British Car:
73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger

Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: MG four six eight
Date: August 31, 2018 07:09PM

I painted mine to match my white faced VDO gauges. For the lettering/numbering I used black rub on letters/numbers from an office supply store.
I'm pretty happy with the results, even put "VDO" on the gauge face!


Simon Austin
Simon Austin
Surrey, British Columbia
(107 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 01:44AM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB V8 / 1970 MGB GT V8 project Rover 3.5 / Rover 3.5

Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: Simon Austin
Date: September 01, 2018 10:20PM

The oil gauge bezel tabs will bend but be very careful. Only bend as far as necessary. Once the bezel is off, the gauge will come apart.

I painted my needles when I created white-face dials for the OEM gauges.


MGB SS
Joe Schafer
Central Michigan
(150 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 06:46AM

Main British Car:
1971 Mgb 1991 5.0 Ford

authors avatar
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Posted by: MGB SS
Date: September 02, 2018 08:04PM

cool thanks for the info, when I get a gauge I will give it a try these are the gauges to try to match
gauges.jpg


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