View Full Version : Dial colour change!
So yesterday I stripped down my dials and got rid of the pale orange!
I have fitted 5 smd LEDs for extra brightness, however I am going to short the front facing ones to prevent it being so bright! It will also get rid of the white shining through the numbers.
I tested them with my iPhone flash while I was making them and for some reason, if the light is too close to the numbers (red) the colour fades to the white. This is obviously the issue with the LED's so hopefully losing the front facing ones will give a better light spread.
Here they are just now, also need to readjust the needles. The red is properly red, photo's always seem to make red lights turn dark orange. The comparison would be with the red area of the rev counter as that is bright red for real but orange in the photo!
In person, I am really happy with the outcome, makes it look far more modern imho without looking 'pimped'. Once I have made the adjustments, I will secure it all properly :)
Opinions?
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/db5028ad.jpg
ian Harris
30-07-12, 06:37 AM
Looks smart, only yesterday I was thinking of black dials
Don't suppose there is a howto around explaining how you did it? :)
So simple it will make you sick lol!
Dismantle dials
Sandpaper the filter off the back of dials (removes the white and orange filter)
Using red transparent vinyl, cover each number (I did 2 layers for darker red)
Using frosted vinyl, cover entire rear with 2 layers (acts as filter)
Sand filter from needles (if you want)
Fit LED bulbs
Use transparent red vinyl on the plastic filter in the ODO screen
Replace all parts!
This gave me the colour theme I wanted but you could do many variations to get the colour theme of your choice.
I wanted mine to match the carPC centre console with the white ATC buttons. Plus I like that my workmate didn't know what I had done as he hadn't seen the before picture!
stamford
30-07-12, 07:24 AM
You have way too much time on your hands! :D
Jay-ZS+
30-07-12, 08:12 AM
Looks very smart! Ive had a bulb out behind the fuel gauge for the last 2+ years, maybe when I get round to changing that I'll do something similar.
It certainly freshens up the look of things!
andy-81
30-07-12, 06:15 PM
it looks very nice are the bulbs a straight forward bayonet type?
They are 501 just like sidelights. I got 5 smd ones but as I say, I plan on disconnecting the front ones as they are too bright and flood the dial too much.
Jay-ZS+
30-07-12, 08:50 PM
Where did you get the vinyl from, got any pictures of it apart? This has spurred me on to replacing my faulty bulb.
andy-81
30-07-12, 10:54 PM
Where did you get the vinyl from, got any pictures of it apart? This has spurred me on to replacing my faulty bulb.
+1 i would love to do a blue and red to match my stereo!
eBay. Transparent vinyl. No pics of it apart by am going to be doing a set for Grimmy so will do a proper how to since it seems so popular!
how many did LED`s did you use mate? any thoughts on using coloured ones?
I replaced the 3 main lights with LEDs. Think the ones I have are a little too bright but will fix that shortly.
Coloured ones would limit you to what colour the dials are. For example, if you put blue bulbs, the red bits like rev limit, MG logo etc would be purple.
Jay-ZS+
31-07-12, 06:30 PM
I replaced the 3 main lights with LEDs. Think the ones I have are a little too bright but will fix that shortly.
Blob of tipex on the front facing LEDs would do the job, ordered mine so will share my finished pictures :)
Well, to go with the new dials, getting myself a cheap watch for work thats not boring lol:
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Nice-Xmas-Gift-Blue-Binary-LED-Light-Dot-Matrix-Mens-Watch-/00/s/NjAwWDY4Mw==/$(KGrHqZ,!pQE8WTrTpQEBPNIquVkoQ~~60_12.JPG
Well, to go with the new dials, getting myself a cheap watch for work thats not boring lol:
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Nice-Xmas-Gift-Blue-Binary-LED-Light-Dot-Matrix-Mens-Watch-/00/s/NjAwWDY4Mw==/$(KGrHqZ,!pQE8WTrTpQEBPNIquVkoQ~~60_12.JPG
Oh here we go its Michael knight.
Haha, plus others will be confused as to what time it is!!
andy-81
03-08-12, 03:03 PM
Oh here we go its Michael knight.
roflmao!!!!! good one pal just dont let anyone see you talking to it!
Jay-ZS+
23-08-12, 07:58 PM
Thought Id update this thread with my own effort. Need to properly fit the bezel round the dials which is the cause of the hotspot round the edges as it was push placed infront to take the picture. Need to adjust the dials as at the minute hit the red on the temp gauge pretty quickly!
Plan to do the rest of the buttons to match.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j12/jayhowl/MK2%20ZS/Dash%20modernisation/2012-08-23205024.jpg
Different mate, I like it. My temp is still out, have sorted the speed and revs ones now and are more accurate than when I hadn't touched them!
Jay-ZS+
23-08-12, 08:33 PM
Different mate, I like it. My temp is still out, have sorted the speed and revs ones now and are more accurate than when I hadn't touched them!
Only one I'm keen to get right is the fuel gauge. As thats the only one I really look at. Now to have a good at all the buttons. :construction:
Thought I'd further update this as I did a bit more work today....
Was looking like this:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/db5028ad.jpg
My issues were that firstly the 130 and 150 were bleeding a little white light (small niggle) but also, they were overall quite dull even with two types of LED bulbs used. Plus, the top of the dials were just too dull!
So I fixed the 130/150 issue and got some extra LED smd panels and rewired things myself. The result is a lot brighter and a more even spread light. The photos, again, don't give the real life effect as its overly glared up and the red looks orange, it is bold red.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/2013-01-29175451.jpg
All I need to do now is apply a bit more frosted vinyl to the back to diffuse the light a little more as one of the LED panels sits a little closer to the dials and so can be seen.
This is the view from the drivers seat:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/2013-01-29175538.jpg
I'm much happier now and with a little more tweaking, will be perfect!
Took a couple more...light changes due to crappy phone camera so colours vary too lol!
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/IMG_1397.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/IMG_1396.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/IMG_1398.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/IMG_1399.jpg
petet16
29-01-13, 06:22 PM
They look better in your second set of pics
Yeah Pete, I focussed on the PC so it wasn't overexposed and in turn it helped the dials look clearer and more like I see them in-car.
petet16
29-01-13, 06:41 PM
When I did mine Blue it took some trial and error to get the look I was after, but they still look cack in photo's
Pretty much lol, it was the photos that showed me there was a panel hotspot lol, never noticed it in car.
Is that what mines are going to look like?:mml:
Nah, did yours pink with sequin and diamante. Thought it would suit your personality more
petet16
29-01-13, 07:26 PM
Nah, did yours pink with sequin and diamante. Thought it would suit your personality more
Pics or gtfo:mml:
Man, now I'm going to have to do it so I can take the photos lol
petet16
29-01-13, 08:08 PM
Where's the devil smiley:evil:
Now we aren't promoting homophobia here now are we?
Ohhh are you building these as kits then? :P Can I post you a set of dials I have here and you do the work? :p lol
Now Grimmy, where did you extract that idea? I suggested you have a pretty personality :)
So its a pretty personality and not a sparkling one.
It's whatever you make of it lol
Finally got round to finishing my dials and getting the brightness dimmed down as it was quite distracting. Annoyingly, I still can get a picture that replicates the naked eye as there is pretty much no hot spot or faded area to the naked eye. It's also much dimmer and more like stock.
BEFORE:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/2013-01-29175538.jpg
AFTER:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/Dials/2013-03-26213937_zps080bb291.jpg
And here a few shots of how I did it. Looks messy but gets the result. Even made my own light table with a glass chopping board, polystyrene and my phone torch!
LIGHT TABLE:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/Dials/2013-03-21202406_zps3b9831a0.jpg
RED VINYL:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/Dials/2013-03-21202402_zps1fe92427.jpg
ORANGE FILTER SANDED OFF:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/Dials/2013-03-21202406_zps3b9831a0.jpg
ONE SIDE COLOURED, OTHER SIDE COLOURED AND FILTERED:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/Dials/2013-03-21174014_zps139d923b.jpg
NEEDLES IN RED:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/smokeysworld/Dials/2013-03-21202353_zps40b019b0.jpg
Craig-ZS180
26-03-13, 09:16 PM
That looks awesome. I know earlier I said I wasn't sure about doing that but after seeing it done and finished I think I may have to have a go at it when I can get the gear together.. :clap2: :thumbsup:
Dead cheap to do and nice and modern looking.I had spare set if anything went wrong anyways but they are now set aside for Grimmy!
Craig-ZS180
26-03-13, 09:30 PM
Does bring the dash much more up to date. I think I'll start looking for a 2nd set of dials for as you say if anything goes wrong & then probably give it a try myself.
Yeah, totally worth it mate.
Dead cheap to do and nice and modern looking.I had spare set if anything went wrong anyways but they are now set aside for Grimmy!
Woo hoo.if either of us ever remember to have them brought through.I think a day at yours would be better that way we can't forget about them.
This is true. And we can fit them too
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