Yeah, so the 2001 gauges are this off white/cream color and i simply do not like how it contrasts with my silver car, black&blue 10AE interior and black dash. Then I remembered that I have a spare set of 99-00 black gauges. But the problem with the 99-00 gauges (along with 90-97) is that they have a greenish tint to them. I don't want green. So I searched around and found that people were able to get rid of the green by using alcohol and swabs....but there is a big risk of getting alcohol on the face of the gauge and that will ruin it. Hmmmm what to do?

Sandpaper. I sanded down the areas behind the numbers with some 220 grit paper. Bingo! Worked like a charm. But I still wanted to see blue lighting. Since i don't have any translucent blue paint, i used blue painters tape since it allows a good bit of light through. So on went two layers of blue tape. Then came the fun of swapping the faces.

Another cool part of what i did is that if i ever want to go back to red lighting, all i have to do is pull the tape off the back of the faces and put the red bulb covers back on.

before:


after:(using some picture from cardomain of a 99-00 gauge cluster)


and how mine looks at night now. (i know there is a bright spot...i had the brightness turned all the way up and turned up the exposure on the camera for full effect)

 

are the backs of the 01 gauges sandable like that?

 

Another method to get a more even blue would be new bulb covers. A buddy of mine did that on his wrx to get his from green to red, came out really nice.

 

You know, I dunno if would be as good of an idea on the 01+ faces. The 99-00 have that black actual face, whereas the backs of the 01+ have black on them to keep light from coming through. It would be a tough call. The color on the front *might* be thick enough to block out light from behind. I guess there is only one way to really find out.

BTW... i have a spare set of 01+ gauges in case you find out that it does not work lol

 

That looks nice, another summer project for me.

 

dude, lose the wood trim

 

read the caption again--not his automojiggy

 

oops. i always miss the small text between pics.

 

+1
I've been wanting to do the gauges for a while so they'd match my Cobalt gauges.

 

Anyway to fit gauges from a 99+ to an older car ?

 

no.... the ODO location is different.