How To: Needle Painting Scion tC
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[edit] How To: Needle Re-Color – 2005 + Scion tC
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"Disclaimer: This is a write up on the process for changing the color of the gauge needles on the tC. I take no responsibility for what you do to your car and any mistakes that may occur. - Dave (aka engifineer)
The process I use takes a little bit more time than some because I take the needles apart to paint them. I find that the painting is much easier and there is less risk of mis-painting or mis-stripping this way. For those that want to try it without those steps, simply skip that portion below. I will not cover disassembly of the gauge cluster here to keep it clean. I will create a walkthrough for that soon.
Tools You Will Need
1 – Razor knife with a small, pointed blade
1 – Pair of tweezers
1 – Bottle of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (Acetone can mess up the plastic, alcohol is better)
1 – Tube of Super Glue
1 – Pack of Q-Tips
1 – Roll of tissue
1 - Roll painters tape
1 – Small paint brush
1 or 2 Bottle(s) (depending on final color) of acrylic paint (Appel Barrel from Wal-Mart or Michaels works well)
Lets Get Started
I am assuming you already have the needles removed for this. I will start from right after that point. Always use a clean, organized area for this work. You don’t want to lose or damage parts during this. You cannot buy these parts separately as replacements.
1. Turn the needle over so you are looking at the bottom as in Figure 1. The two small “buttons” on either side of the spindle are what is holding it together.
Figure 1
2. Cut those buttons off using the razor knife. These come off very easily. See Figure 2 for reference. The two small black pieces next to the needle are the parts you just cut off.
Figure 2
3. Gently pull the back out of the needle as in Figure 3. It should come out easily.
Figure 3
4. Holding the needle as in Figure 4, very gently work it out of the needle assembly. It should slide off the two posts with ease. Be VERY careful with this, it is small and plastic and will break easily! Figure 5 shows the disassembled needle and Figure 6 shows the “back” or “bottom” of the needle pointer. Figure 6 shows the white that is applied last on the factory color and will explain the painting later.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
5. Cleaning the needles. This can be made VERY easy if you let the tool (the alcohol) do the work. I fold over some tissue a few times to make it thick. I then soak it with alcohol and lay the needles color side down onto it. If you fold the tissue a few times and lay just the painted portion on it, the pointer will lay flat on the tissue. See Figure 7 for reference.
Figure 7
6. Let them soak that way for a few minutes. When they are ready you should be able to slide the back and forth and see orange on the tissue.
7. Using a Q-tip with some alcohol on it, finish rubbing off the color. It should come right off. Make sure you get it all. Turn the needle in the light to be sure. Even one spec of orange left over will leave a noticeable effect in the end.
8. Apply some painters tape on the sides of the pointers. Try to get it barely below the edge of where you are painting so paint doesn’t glob up on it. See Figure 8 for an example.
Figure 8
9. Now for the painting. I use the Apple Barrel brand of acrylic paint from Michaels or Wal-Mart to paint them. The picture at the end is a set I did in white. If you are doing another color, you will still need white to make it come out its best.
10. First, paint the color you want the needle to come out. Start with a light coat and let dry. Repeat until it comes out uniform and even.
11. Once dry, apply an even coat of white to the back. This will help reflect more light through the color and make them come out a little brighter.
12. Figure 9 shows the end result once the first coat of white is applied.
Figure 9
13. Remove all tape.
14. Using a razor blade, CAREFULLY lay it on its side and run it along the edges of the pointer. This will trim off any paint that built up along the tape.
15. Use a Q-tip with a little bit of alcohol to clean the sides of the needle pointer off. Be careful not to get any on the paint you just applied.
16. Slide the needle pointer back into the housing. Apply a small amount of glue onto the black posts and slide the back of the needle back on.
17. Test to be sure the glue held well and re-assemble the gauges. Enjoy!