MGB SS Joe Schafer Central Michigan (150 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 06:46AM Main British Car: 1971 Mgb 1991 5.0 Ford |
Painting Smith gauge needles
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 (6507 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
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 |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1166 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
Quote: That method doesn't work well with a square oil gauge. |
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6507 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
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 |
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
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
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MG four six eight Bill Jacobson Wa state (326 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 02:15AM Main British Car: 73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger |
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
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
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 |
Re: Painting Smith gauge needles
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