Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

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

thanks
Mike

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

thanks
Mike

Orange paint.

Seconded

Does any Elan have orange pointers?
I thought they were all white.

Then you thought wrong Bill - some +2’s have them.

My s130 has orange.

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!!!!

thanks

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.

1970 +2S models have "Dayglo" on pointers.
It's not orange for me.
Alan

I'm sure you're right Alan, does anyone know where I get the right paint?

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

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

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Layer-Troll-Slayer-Orange-2019

Would it possibly be polychromatic orange as per BRM bumpers?

I would try some dayglo orange. Either a spray can or little model paint bottle. pretty cheap to try

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