Lotus Elan

Orange gauge needle

PostPost by: mikealdren » Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:11 pm

Modern replacement gauges etc all have white needles, has anyone got a solution for colouring them orange?

thanks
Mike
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PostPost by: Slowtus » Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:33 pm

mikealdren wrote:Modern replacement gauges etc all have white needles, has anyone got a solution for colouring them orange?

thanks
Mike


Orange paint.
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PostPost by: elanfan1 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:43 pm

Seconded :D :D :D :D
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PostPost by: billwill » Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:29 pm

Does any Elan have orange pointers?
I thought they were all white.
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PostPost by: elanfan1 » Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:34 pm

Then you thought wrong Bill - some +2’s have them.
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PostPost by: mbell » Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:36 pm

My s130 has orange.
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
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PostPost by: mikealdren » Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:46 pm

Sorry I should have pointed out that it's a +2 130. I have worked out that orange paint would help, anyone done it and knows the exact colour (paint code???) ideally to match faded originals!!!!

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PostPost by: WaxhawFive » Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:00 pm

I haven't even written my intro hello message, and I'm already trying to post like I know something. Ironically, I just painted the needles in my '86 M.B. 190e 2.3-16 this weekend. The color I used was Testors "tangerine" from a local hobby shop. The "orange" was too dark. Sorry about the glare, I failed to snap a pic before re-installing.

Gauge Needles.jpg and
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PostPost by: alan.barker » Sat May 01, 2021 4:32 am

1970 +2S models have "Dayglo" on pointers.
It's not orange for me.
Alan
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PostPost by: mikealdren » Sat May 01, 2021 7:28 am

I'm sure you're right Alan, does anyone know where I get the right paint?
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PostPost by: Lyn7 » Sat May 01, 2021 7:56 am

How about a model maker shop. Should have lots of colours of enamel and small tins!
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PostPost by: draenog » Sat May 01, 2021 8:49 am

Lyn7 wrote:How about a model maker shop. Should have lots of colours of enamel and small tins!


Unfortunately the traditional airfix model shop with paints are now rare :( When I needed to find a range of modelling paints on the highstreet I found the Games Workshop (under the brand Warhammer). They have ranges of paints and brushes for painting figures. You might feel a bit awkward going in, but you can tell your friends the needle is Troll Slayer Orange :lol:

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Layer-Troll-Slayer-Orange-2019
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PostPost by: elanfan1 » Sat May 01, 2021 2:39 pm

Would it possibly be polychromatic orange as per BRM bumpers?
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PostPost by: gus » Sat May 01, 2021 7:13 pm

I would try some dayglo orange. Either a spray can or little model paint bottle. pretty cheap to try
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PostPost by: tonyabacus » Sat May 01, 2021 7:28 pm

You may want to try some luminous orange paint as this shows up the needles in the darkness when the instrument lights are on, here is a link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/60ML-Glow-Lumi ... B01EZ11QXY

If you want to spray the needles, make up a lightweight cardboard mask to protect the rest of the instrument, drill a small hole in the centre approximately the same size as the needle spindle, with a Stanley knife cut from the drilled hole to the outside of the mask, this will enable you to slide the mask under the needle and the cut will slide round the needle, so you end up with just the needle showing enabling you to spray and get a nice finish to the needle without the spray getting on the rest of the instrument.

I also have an Audi TT where the needles are luminous in the dark making then very easy to read, so go look at a TT to see what it looks like
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