Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Gauge needle painting:

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lutz, FL
    Posts
    1,356
    My Cars
    '85 635 CSi Euro 5sp.

    Gauge needle painting:

    I've been working to get a set of Euro gauges installed in my car to bring it back to original spec's, and since I've always preferred the orange/red needles, I figured now was the time.



    I certainly don't have the steadiest hand with a tiny brush, so I masked the gauge face and needle with foil and tape. Here's the completed set of gauges:



    I know they're not original, but I like them.
    Last edited by dcains; 08-22-2017 at 10:06 AM.
    Dean
    Lutz, FL

    '85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
    '87 Spider Veloce
    '92 Spider Veloce
    '08 350Z


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Greenwich, CT
    Posts
    2,038
    My Cars
    1985 BMW 635csi
    Love them! Did similar on my previous six.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    West Nyack, New York
    Posts
    1,391
    My Cars
    86 635csi 98 740i 96 MB
    Dean,

    They look great. I have to stay with the white needles because I'm colorblind and
    can't distinguish between the black background and red needles. My VDO gauges
    had red needles and I used whiteout on the needles which is ok during daylight.

    At night the whiteout blocks the glow from the needles and I don't see them at all.

    Some day I'll install low level lighting shining on the gauges and that should solve my problem at night.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lutz, FL
    Posts
    1,356
    My Cars
    '85 635 CSi Euro 5sp.
    Thanks, guys. In case anyone's interested, I got the paint from eBay seller - "hipo_manuals" - and here's a direct link:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluorescent-.../190281783139?

    It's a water-soluble acrylic, so it's easy to work with, and 2 coats are necessary.
    Dean
    Lutz, FL

    '85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
    '87 Spider Veloce
    '92 Spider Veloce
    '08 350Z


  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Spokane WA
    Posts
    433
    My Cars
    89 635CSi, Nissan Murano
    Nice Job, I like the bright color, I bet they are easier to see at night.
    SprCpe
    1989 635csi # 3268410
    Built in Germany with love.
    Ostatecznym maszyny jazdy BMW

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lutz, FL
    Posts
    1,356
    My Cars
    '85 635 CSi Euro 5sp.
    I hope so, especially with all the new LEDs I'll be installing. My dash has been in the dark for a long time. I'm just waiting for a new Programa battery-less SI board.
    Dean
    Lutz, FL

    '85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
    '87 Spider Veloce
    '92 Spider Veloce
    '08 350Z


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Anacortes,WA
    Posts
    1,300
    My Cars
    E34 535i; E36 325is
    I just used daughter's red or pink fingernail polish, and tinted red all the little lightbulbs in the cluster. The high beams bulbs were way too bright, and casting the cluster in red or pink light saves your night vision.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    From Maryland to New York
    Posts
    14,716
    My Cars
    E46 M3
    I used a red sharpie on previous bmw's. Same result less work.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Peterborough, Ontario, Ca
    Posts
    45
    My Cars
    1985 BMW 635
    Hi Dean,
    Just saw your post on the SI Board. Just purchased one from Programa and should have it in about 10 days.
    Couple questions for you. Did you upgrade your bulbs? Understand theres an LED available for the headlight and foglight bulb switch, 5 wat for the three large bulbs. Did you replace the tiny bulbs for the oil pressure, ABS lights etc.
    How is the board working? looks like it comes with a black ground wire. Did you cut it off?
    Alot of questions any assistance appreciated.

    Thx,
    Iain.

    1985 635 CSi
    Original Owner
    Hartge conversion
    https://www.amazon.ca/photos/share/I...5tKaaMrbsDRAk6

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Scottsdale, Arizona
    Posts
    4,885
    My Cars
    81 euro 635, 4.4 X5
    For those that don't know, Dean Cains passed away several weeks ago. Drive in peace, Dean
    81 Euro undergoing total nut and bolt restoration
    pictures at: flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Peterborough, Ontario, Ca
    Posts
    45
    My Cars
    1985 BMW 635
    So sorry to hear that, my condolances.

    Iain.

    1985 635 CSi
    Original Owner
    Hartge conversion
    https://www.amazon.ca/photos/share/I...5tKaaMrbsDRAk6

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    GA,USA
    Posts
    401
    My Cars
    89 BMW 635CSI
    This is very sad. Two guys in this thread passed away. Hope they are resting in peace. I’ve never met either but they’ve both been very helpful and given me guidance wherever it was needed. I send my condolences to their families.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Seattle, Washington
    Posts
    958
    My Cars
    E23 E24 euros E34 E38
    RIP Dean

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Socal
    Posts
    3,441
    My Cars
    Euro 81 628csi. 02 325i
    This is terrible.. RIP.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    SAN JOSE
    Posts
    141
    My Cars
    84 M635
    How awful!!!! Nice man...I enjoyed knowing him and doing business with him. Condolences to his surviving family.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    478
    My Cars
    1985 635csi
    So sad

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Camas, WA
    Posts
    1,167
    My Cars
    Euro '85 635csi
    Sad news again

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    NYC & Long Island & So FL
    Posts
    1,119
    My Cars
    '93 740il '84 633Csi
    Just awful news. I was going to visit him later this month as I knew he was in the hospital. My sincere condolences to his family.

    One of our last PMs he mentioned his list of to-do's so he clearly had a positive outlook in spite of his medical difficulties.

    Here's an obituary: https://newtownbee.com/dean-cains/
    Ken Weinstein

Similar Threads

  1. E36 Review DDM Gauge Rings/Needles/Paint
    By Momikey in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-23-2011, 02:17 PM
  2. Gauge cluster needle paint.
    By mtg729 in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 01-22-2011, 05:22 PM
  3. Temperature gauge Needle
    By Ikarus in forum 1999 - 2006 (E46)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-10-2004, 04:52 PM
  4. Removing gauge needles
    By Jademonkey in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-15-2003, 03:24 PM
  5. Pulled off RPM gauge needle
    By BMWg84 in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-07-2003, 12:32 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •