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Topic: Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

in Forum: C3 Interior

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Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/13/08 4:45pm Message 1 of 7
neuroclast
Former Member
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
Well I got bored today so I decided to work on the car before it goes to the transmission shop to have my 700R4 rebuilt tomorrow. I hated the coloring of the gauges (white/faint yellow/etc) and didn't like the yellow glow of the incandescent bulbs, so I decided to fix it all tonight.

I repainted the gauges/needles to my liking, repainted the housing black since it was all nicked up, and replaced all the backlight bulbs with white LEDs. I will probably some time in the future take the trim piece off again and paint the back with a silver reflective paint so it will reflect a lot more light back to the gauge face.














defsegx2008-01-13 16:45:57


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Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/14/08 7:17am Message 2 of 7
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steves74
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Klamath Falls, OR - USA
Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059
Vette(s): 74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
Hey Josh.  Looks real good.  Thanks for the picturesThumbs%20Up.  Keep it up and keep us all posted on future things you doCool.    steve



Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/14/08 10:13am Message 3 of 7
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dwright
Former Member
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
I like it.
Were you able to do it from the front?
Do the LEDs plug in directly?



 
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Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/14/08 11:34am Message 4 of 7
neuroclast
Former Member
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
No, I had to take the gauge cluster out to repaint it and stuff. I don't really know how you'd get the bulbs and stuff out either without taking it out (but it really wasn't that hard).
 
And the LEDs didn't plug in. I had to solder resistors and stuff on them, and then mount them in the bulb holders that screw into the cluster.
 
-Josh



Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/15/08 8:36am Message 5 of 7
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steves74
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
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Klamath Falls, OR - USA
Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059
Vette(s): 74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
Josh, Where did you buy the LEDs?  



Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/15/08 8:54am Message 6 of 7
stevep316
Former Member
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jersey city, NJ - USA
Joined: 11/30/2003
Posts: 372
Vette(s): 1979 corvette metallic silver/red leather interior

that looks great- been thinking of changing over all my panel lighting to the LEDs as well.




Repainted gauge cluster / LED backlights

Posted: 1/15/08 9:43am Message 7 of 7
neuroclast
Former Member
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
[QUOTE=steves74]Josh, Where did you buy the LEDs?   [/QUOTE]

These were some I had sitting around collecting dust. I get all my LEDs from eBay though. Search for "5mm white LED" and I'm sure 8000 things will come up Wink



in Forum: C3 Interior


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