Blacked out dummy lights! My version of the How-To

[RagtopE30]

I have searched and searched and I can not find the tread with the how to. I have seen it before but I can not find it now. If anyone knows what paint to use to black out the strips of dummy lights under the gauges please let me know or refer me to the correct thread.

Ok After searching and trying different products, none of the paint products work dont waste your money. I found a pretty good option. Window tint, more specifically the small rolls they sell for the front windshield. Here are some pics of the 10 minute process, of course assuming you have the gauges out of the car. And some pics of the results.

I used 5% limo tint. This may be a little over kill but I wanted to be BLACKED out. Light still comes through but kinda dim. You could also use the 15% and probably would get the same result with a little better light coming through.

SUPPLIES


CUT TO SIZE (use two pieces of tape to seperate the tint)


FLIP OVER AND TRIM EXCESS, ADMIRE RESULTS


PICS OF CLUSTER AFTER: and yes I know my needles are different colors, it is a work in progress!!
NO FLASH


FLASH


NO FLASH AT AN ANGLE


I hope this helps someone!!

[JasonC]

semi gloss black? Take bulbs out? Tape off the back of strip with electrical tape.

[RagtopE30]

More along the lines of, the dummy lights still work but when not in use they are not visible. I guess it would be the same as smoking taillights.

[NC325iC]

some clusters have that. I dont know what cars they came in but i bought a cluster but didnt keep the front half cause it had a CF overlay and im not a fan. Anyway it had the dummy light writing on the inside of the strip so you could only read them when lit, much like the check engine light.

[RagtopE30]

exactly^! I am trying different methods of replicating that right now. I now know that Spray tint and smoke model paint will not stick to the white lettering. I am getting closer though.

[lbreevesii]

See the cluster makeover thread on e30 tech. He did it with RC smoke/tint paint.

I was doing it impatiently, but I tried it on a spare one with niteshades paint, didn't come out too well.

[RagtopE30]

I tried the smoke paint that I bought at the model shop. The paint is made for the plastic bodies of RC cars so I was pretty sure it was the same stuff but it doesnt look good at all. I even tried the adhesion promoter which helped but the smoke still will not stick to the white lettering or symbols.
The next step for this project is getting some 10% or 15% window tint and try and "wrap" the strips.
I will post the results here

[blackhawkimpact]

I tried the smoke paint that I bought at the model shop. The paint is made for the plastic bodies of RC cars so I was pretty sure it was the same stuff but it doesnt look good at all. I even tried the adhesion promoter which helped but the smoke still will not stick to the white lettering or symbols.
The next step for this project is getting some 10% or 15% window tint and try and "wrap" the strips.
I will post the results here

^Did that on my previous e30 and it looked pretty good. I just use some window tint, cut the tint to the exact size/shape of the dummy light strip and it looked pretty good. I think I used 15%

If I do it on my current e30 I will post pics.


Good luck

[lbreevesii]

I tried the smoke paint that I bought at the model shop. The paint is made for the plastic bodies of RC cars so I was pretty sure it was the same stuff but it doesnt look good at all. I even tried the adhesion promoter which helped but the smoke still will not stick to the white lettering or symbols.
The next step for this project is getting some 10% or 15% window tint and try and "wrap" the strips.
I will post the results here

That was the problem I had too.

let us know how the tinting works out. I may go that route.

[RagtopE30]

I plan on doing this, this weekend. I will post results.

[RagtopE30]

AHH HAA!! I did it and I think it looks great!! I posted pics in the 1st post, Check it out!

[Gadea]

good job. Now....
pics of tinted dummy lights ON?

[RagtopE30]

Coming soon to a computer screen near you! My vert is off the road at the moment but I will reinstall the cluster just for the light pic.

[george graves]

I'd love to see this with more of a mat finish.

[RagtopE30]

Yeah I was trying for that but I couldnt find any matte finish overlay. And all the tint I found was shiny. But the finish is no more shiny than the OBC display or the radio display.