How to change the color of the gauge cluster. | Page 2 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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How to change the color of the gauge cluster.

How to change the color of the gauge cluster the ez way with no LEDs

I did have pics to make a better step by step but the camera is now broke but i this think this will help a few ppl that want different color gauges. A big thank you goes to MustangAndy for rewriting my wright up to make it a lot better .

Change Your Gauge Cluster Without Using LEDs!!

For this project you will need to follow bigtigexplorer’s “Indiglo gauges install or HOW TO REMOVE CLUSTER”



Follow this write-up until the step where it tells your to remove the 7mm screws securing the cluster to the dash. Instead of removing the cluster take out the small Torx head screws around the whole cluster using a 5.5mm socket or a Torx key. Then remove the clear plastic cover. You should now be able to touch the needles.

Start the vehicle and let it warm up. Take out a black fine point Sharpie and make a small mark where each needle is currently pointing to.

Now you can continue to follow the write-up by removing the cluster from the vehicle.

Use a small loop of fishing line and remove the needles from the pins they are pressed onto.

Peel the black facing off the cluster with a butter knife. Flip the facing over and scratch the paint off the backside. Do this only where you wish to change the color!

Here is a picture of what it will look like. Thanks to techboj:
Quote:
Originally Posted by techboj View Post
Side by side comparison with the film removed under bright light

Once you have the facing like this you can do one of two things.

Go to Wal-Mart, and in the kiddie’s craft section they have plastic stain glass paint that will look something like this.

OR
If you don't see a color you want go to the toy section by the model car kits and get the model paint (most likely it will be Testor’s) in the color(s) you want and a bottle of model paint thinner. Mix the model paint and thinner together until light can shine through it. A SMALL glass jar may help a bit. You’ll want this mixture to be really thin.

After you have that mixture or stain glass the color you want, paint the color over whatever part on the gauge you want with thin coats and let it dry. I held it up to my dome light until I got it to a point where the light was able to shine through, but was not too dark. Once you’re happy with the color and transparency, put it all back together. I put a drop of glue on the back of the face to help hold it.

This is how mine looks now. The tach, speedo, volt and gas are red. The KMH, water temp and oil are blue. The picture is with my laptop since my camera is broken. I’ll get a better one ASAP.
 



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i have a 92, and im gonna replace all the dash/gauge lights with LEDs, and i wonder if i got a different color LED if it would look any different? or would it still be the ****ty faded green lmao.
 



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While you are at it-use a Sharpie to make the needles a brighter color-

How does the sharpie make the needles brighter?
 






How does the sharpie make the needles brighter?

sharpies make the needles look like ****, dont try it. if anything, take them off and PAINT them.
 






I know this is an old thread but I'm going to attempt this in the coming week on my truck. I'm sick of green lights and a gray plastic. I'll post pics when I'm done if it turns out ok. I was going to do this to my 99 Sport but then I sold it so.............yea.


i have a 92, and im gonna replace all the dash/gauge lights with LEDs, and i wonder if i got a different color LED if it would look any different? or would it still be the ****ty faded green lmao.

Won't change anything the green is dyed into the plastic. That's why you need to remove the face and scrape the paint off.
 






Won't change anything the green is dyed into the plastic. That's why you need to remove the face and scrape the paint off.



Yea I figured that out haha old post, ive since had 2 Explorers. I had a 95' and went with white SMD LEDs and it turned my cluster/hvac's all blue which I loved and I never did get around to taking my 92's apart, soon after that post my rear brake lines went out and thats when I got rid of it.
 






Crappy cell phone pic.........

Autometers are only wired for lights thus far (and can be dimmed :D). Third pod will be for my PHP Gryphon tuner:

IMG00071.jpg
 






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