Installing my AWD Gauge...

I tried the sharpie method and wasn't happy with the results...The color wasn't consistent. I also tried glass paint from the arts and craft store,,,just as good.
I finally settled on red tape, the kind that you use for temp repairs on tail light lenses. Just lay in on and trim it off with a sharp razor blade. The tape is uniform, transparent, and it looks good.
You might want to try and leave the white "frosted" paint that is on the underside of the needles. It might help transfer some of the light. I sanded and polished mine.

noodle @ Sat Dec 02 said:

I tried the sharpie method and wasn't happy with the results...The color wasn't consistent. I also tried glass paint from the arts and craft store,,,just as good.
I finally settled on red tape, the kind that you use for temp repairs on tail light lenses. Just lay in on and trim it off with a sharp razor blade. The tape is uniform, transparent, and it looks good.
You might want to try and leave the white "frosted" paint that is on the underside of the needles. It might help transfer some of the light. I sanded and polished mine.

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I went up throught the same process and I ended up with the same results :mrgreen:
Go with the red stop light repair tape!

I went with the Sharpie method. Looks good to me. I have my gauges for over 4 years now. You can check it out at my cardomian site. http://clubroadster.net/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&t=4127

Hypertek99 @ Mon Dec 04 said:

I went with the Sharpie method. Looks good to me. I have my gauges for over 4 years now. You can check it out at my cardomian site. http://clubroadster.net/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&t=4127

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Thanks for the heads up on your cardomain page Hypertek.

Here it is everyone (google is great )

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2100316/5

Just out of interest, did you use the sharpie marker on the topside of the needle or the underside?

Sorry for the wrong link. But i used it on the under side.

Looks awesome!

Unfortunately I dont think I can get the testors paint in Australia, Im a bit hesitant on painting the needle just in case it blocks out the illumination.

Ive got a permanent marker that is designed for use on CD's and DVDs... maybe it'll do the trick better than the Sharpie marker (plus its quick and easy!)

This is why I can't have gauges like that, I'd just spray paint the back of mine.

Come on people- do it the right way- buy a Mazdaspeed cluster, take out the needles and throw away the cluster :wink: :wink:

Do I have to scrape away the white film on the back of the needles before I go over it with a permanent marker or am I able to just go over the white section on the back of the needle directly with the red marker?

Whats the cons of not scraping away the back end of the needle?

use a razor blade and carefully scrape off the white, then use the 'sharpie' to color it in. If you leave the white on and just color the backs, they will either lite up a light shade of your chosen color, or completely black - depending on how much color is put on the white needle back....

Ha! Those gauges in Phat's hand are in my dash!!

Phatmiata @ Tue Dec 05 said:

I used 2 coats of Testors Model Master Paint on the underside of the needles on my old AWD "ZZ" gauges. Looked perfect in the day and the night. No fading at all. Take your time, do it right! :mrgreen:

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Ahhhhh... those are the gauges I want. Great job on painting the needles!

Hopefully I can get a set sometime soon.

Try using finger nail poslish remover to remove the white paint on the underside of the needle and do as was said before paint the underside with red testors paint (if available), I have done this before and it worked like a champ. All this talk has gotten me wanting some new gauges I guess I need to make a web-based trip over to R-speed and see what I can do.

Thats a great idea JDMage!

Also, what glue did you guys use on the stopper knob that is to be glued onto the dial faces?

I want something strong but was advised against using regular superglue as it fogs up the plastic on a hot day..

I just used regular Elmer's glue and it's been on there for like 4-5 years. You can use super glue if you want.

OK guys, I finally bit the bullet and carried out the installation on Christmas day :mrgreen:

Unfortunately the dome cluster cracked when I pulled it out (I am told this is normal as the Australian sun is quite good at drying out plastics to make them brittle). A bit of loctite glue and it does the job with a temporary fix until I can get a replacement.

The gauge looks awesome now I'll put up pics soon.

However, regarding the needle calibration - The Speedometer, how do you guys know if it is accurate? I have aligned it to start at Zero when I am stationary but Im not entirely sure if the speed is accurate. If the needle is in place, starting at zero, is that all that is required to ensure the speed is accurate?

The other issue I have is with the Rev needle, when I drive around for a while and my Rev needle idles at 850rpm, when I start the car up cold, the rev needle idles at 1250~1500 RPM but then settles at 850 later... definitely not normal!

Any thoughts?