Gauge help needed.

[jonno356SC]

Greetings all.

Need some help. I am in the home stretch of a Porsche 904 build. But the gauges in the dash are pre-cast. I have not comleted a kit that didnt have decals....

SO my question is this. What is the best way to make them look realisitc?

Paint what it there and overlay 5min epoxy? (the lack of detail in the casting concens me though)

Punch out and scratch build. (Anyone have a great technique)?

Sand the faces and replace with a decal (which won't be the right colours)? I did buy some stuff from Model Car Garage, but not sure it's the right thing to use.

Here is a pic of the part, along with a few references of the real deal.

I've also attached a pic of the work in progress. Any comments appreciated.

THANKS

Jon

[Erik Smith]

See if you can find a straight on photo of the dash and copy the photo. Print the gauges out on photo paper. Drill out the molded in dash gauges. Glue the photo gauges behind the dash inline with the holes and apply epoxy for lenses. You can also use successive layers of Future, but you will need to seal the photo paper with clear paint first or the ink will run. The hardest part is getting them sized right, but it's not difficult if you have some experience with any word or picture processing software.

[jonno356SC]

Great idea! I have photo decal paper!

[martinfan5]

LOL I was just going to say, just thought about it

[jonno356SC]

thanks guys!

[Jantrix]

To do it the old fashilned way is to run over the raised portions of the gauge face with a silver & red Prismacolor pencil and then a drop of white glue for the cystal.

Edited April 17, 2012 by Jantrix

[cobraman]

I do the drill out thing but use Krystal Klear to simulate the lens. Also you can find the correct diameter aluminum tubing and slice of a small piece, sand a bit and you have a nice bezel for your gauges.