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Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 5, 2013, 6:06 pm
by 69supercj
I've got the sweep style cluster and I need to repaint the letters. Any ideas? I've tried it with a really small brush and it just doesn't look good enough.

Re: Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 5, 2013, 6:19 pm
by Toyz
Purchase a replacement bezel and lens. Check with Tom at Flashback F100's
Paul

Re: Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 5, 2013, 7:51 pm
by samdog1966
I repainted the white lines for the cluster with a white paint pen a couple of years ago. It is like a sharpie marker with paint in it.( I bought it at a hobby shop) It took some practice but came out looking good. I used plastic headlight cleaner/polish on the clear plastic.

Re: Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 5, 2013, 7:53 pm
by truckster
find a pinstriper...if you find a good one they can do very small work. they can probably even change the font of the numbers if you were inclined to do so

Re: Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 5, 2013, 8:00 pm
by LM14
Believe it or not, your vision is the biggest drawback. Get an Opti-Visor at a hobby store and the aforementioned paint pen. You'll be amazed at what you can do once you see in detail. Paint markers can also be found in ultra fine point. Look at Hobby Lobby or a campus bookstore at a college.

SPark

Re: Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 5, 2013, 8:20 pm
by 69supercj
I'm needing to paint the actual gauge faces, not the plastic lens but I guess the same tips would apply. My plastic lens is in good shape with good lettering and I polished it up and it looks really good. Just need to detail the gauges themselves.

Re: Re-lettering an instrument cluster

Posted: August 9, 2013, 4:01 pm
by theastronaut
Jason at Greenback Decal can make overlays to restore your gauge faces. He already makes them for 60-66 Chevy C10's and Bronco's, and can custom make overlays if you send him something to work with. He custom built a 10K tach that looks just like an original 5K tach for my '66 C10.

Here's a link to his site:

http://parklane410.wix.com/home


Stock 5k:

Image


Jason's custom 10K tach. Looks identical, same color/style/font. Just doubled the resolution.

Image