HOW TO: Paint Gauge Rings

JPsBB6 · 06-10-2009, 02:59 PM

Searched to see if it had been done before. Didn't see one, so I figured, why not? If there is one, then I'll stop and not worry about having to take pics.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage you cause to your vehicle when following this DIY.
Please read through before attempting.

Parts list:
*5th Gen Prelude (Pretty important)
*Phillips Screwdriver
*Some way to remove the rings (I used a chisel)
*Some way to glue rings back in (I used Permatex 5 Min. Plastic Weld)
*Something to mix the glue with and on
*Paint (I used Krylon Fusion white as a base, and I believe Krylon chrome (buddy brought it over, and took it back, lol...))

Optional:
*Cleaning wipes

Take the two screws out of the top of the black cover:

Now tug at the bottom of the cover to remove it:

Now remove the four screws holding the gauge cluster in:

And the two at the top.

Now you can either remove the cluster or leave it in. I opted to take it out, because it made pushing the clips easier.

Now go around the cluster, and push all the little black clips to remove the surround from the actual cluster.

It should now look like this:
Note: Try to not touch the needles... Just slide it off to the side for now..

Do the same for the clear plastic cover.

It should look like this now:

Now take the part with the rings, look on the back, and note all the spots where the rings are held in. You need to knock them off in order to remove the rings. I used a chisel.

Also recommended:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimee

When I did mine I used a center punch to push out the little studs. This way I didn't cut off any length trying to remove them.

To reattach these you can take one of two routes: glue or heat. They're made from polypropylene so a hot solder gun touched to the studs will just melt them down and reform a collar. But then removing them again will be a little more difficult.

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22LudeSH

I used a scribe to poke out the plastic posts.

After knocking them all off, you should be able to just pull the rings out.

Painted: (A base-coat is always a good idea...)

Let the rings sit so that the paint dries (Half an hour or so should be good. Read the instructions on the can.)

Now you can begin putting stuff back together. Since I knocked off the little tabs that held the rings in, I needed to glue the rings back in. I ended up using a 5 min. Plastic Weld that I purchased a while ago. Squeeze the glue out, mix the two glues together, and apply to the back where the rings where held in at.

Glued:

After letting the glue dry, assemble the whole unit simply by pushing the tabs back in until they snap. Place the cluster back in its home (if you removed it like I did). Screw the cluster back in with the four screws. If you pulled the cluster out, make sure everything works by turning on the ignition, and possibly even starting the car and driving it around. (To make sure that the tach and speedo work before you finalize everything.) Now, before putting the black cover piece on, clean up around the cluster. (Not necessary, but might as well do it while it is apart...)

Eww..

Now snap the cover back in place, and screw it back in on top with the two screws.

Sit back and enjoy your work.

JPsBB6 · 06-10-2009, 02:59 PM

Finished product:

Thanks for looking!

Shimee · 06-10-2009, 03:03 PM

When I did mine I used a center punch to push out the little studs. This way I didn't cut off any length trying to remove them.

To reattach these you can take one of two routes: glue or heat. They're made from polypropylene so a hot solder gun touched to the studs will just melt them down and reform a collar. But then removing them again will be a little more difficult.

billiam · 06-10-2009, 03:03 PM

nice work so far! I used a scribe to poke out the plastic posts.

theres already a write-up out there, just not on this site. You should keep going though so we have one on here

http://www.ntpog.org/mods/fifth-gaug...h-gauges.shtml

JPsBB6 · 06-10-2009, 03:06 PM

Oh well, it's already been done, lol. I was gonna just glue them back on. Gonna make a note of that, though. Thanks.

BlkLUDE5G · 06-10-2009, 03:12 PM

what color we painting these??

JPsBB6 · 06-10-2009, 03:17 PM

Probably silver. Unless I think of a different color, like a graphite color.

Shimee · 06-10-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPsBB6

Probably silver. Unless I think of a different color, like a graphite color.

Get rustoleum chrome or duplicolor chrome. It's a nice shiny silver (even though the bastards say it's chrome

).

Or take a trip to autozone. They have these rustoleum trim paints in three varieties: chrome, gold, or aluminum. Aluminum is more a brushed, satin silver than shiny silver.

Smitty2001 · 06-10-2009, 03:31 PM

good stuff. Your goods are dirty though man. Looks like someone spilled soda/pop on the top of your gauge cluster.

JPsBB6 · 06-10-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimee

Get rustoleum chrome or duplicolor chrome. It's a nice shiny silver (even though the bastards say it's chrome

).

Or take a trip to autozone. They have these rustoleum trim paints in three varieties: chrome, gold, or aluminum. Aluminum is more a brushed, satin silver than shiny silver.

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

Gonna go to work, first though. (I work at Pep Boys.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty2001

good stuff. Your goods are dirty though man. Looks like someone spilled soda/pop on the top of your gauge cluster.

I know. I pulled it out, and thought wtf? Gonna clean it up before I put it all back together, though.

JPsBB6 · 06-11-2009, 09:33 AM

Finished. Let me know if something sounds confusing or missing.

99Lewd · 06-11-2009, 12:56 PM

Very nice writeup with detailed pics

prelude2perfect · 06-11-2009, 01:06 PM

I just recently did this with my car. It's definately a very easy way to give the interior a more classy look

EUSTACH · 06-11-2009, 02:40 PM

nice write up.

rushi · 09-03-2009, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the writeup! I used VHT Chrome paint, works damn well both in daylight and at nighttime.

Shimee · 09-03-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rushi

Thanks for the writeup! I used CHT Chrome paint, works damn well both in daylight and at nighttime.

See my sig.

JPsBB6 · 09-03-2009, 07:02 PM

Thanks man...

I have a new pic I have to throw on here. I'm on my iPod, so I can't do it right now.

Psychochimp · 09-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPsBB6

Finished product:

Thanks for looking!

Nice DIY gauge bezel painting!!! Nice write up, but I think you needed to head to the nearest gas station ASAP!!!

JPsBB6 · 09-04-2009, 08:55 AM

Lol... That was before I could start driving it because it was unregistered and uninsured... Trust me, it never goes that low. Except for yesterday.

comebackid · 09-04-2009, 01:07 PM

nice write-up! I was wondering if anyone has painted their gauge rings anything but silver? i was thinking red might be cool, but i don't know if it would end up looking to ricer.

JPsBB6 · 09-06-2009, 07:50 PM

Someone on here did them in red, I believe. Can't think of the name off the top of my head, though...

Here's the pic that was promised:

BEEFYMcGangBang · 10-07-2009, 10:48 PM

not to bring it back from the recent dead, but im actually doing this as i type. and yes its 1:48 am.

JPsBB6 · 10-10-2009, 07:49 PM

Lol, so how'd they turn out?

BEEFYMcGangBang · 10-18-2009, 08:32 PM

you tell me:

I used krylon brushed aluminum. SHIT LOOKS HOT!!!

Ludeh22A · 10-18-2009, 08:36 PM

I wonder if red would look good? or would it look kinda lame

has anyone done it red?

06-10-2009, 02:59 PM	#2
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Finished product: Thanks for looking! Last edited by JPsBB6; 06-10-2010 at 03:13 PM.

06-10-2009, 03:03 PM	#3
Shimee █████████ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Essex County, MA School: UML Age: 21 Posts: 3,018 iTrader: (25) View Photos By: Shimee	When I did mine I used a center punch to push out the little studs. This way I didn't cut off any length trying to remove them. To reattach these you can take one of two routes: glue or heat. They're made from polypropylene so a hot solder gun touched to the studs will just melt them down and reform a collar. But then removing them again will be a little more difficult. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Click to see my >> *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* > footwell lights, temperature cable fix, EDM rear fogs, Morimoto projectors, replica fogs, and more! Rep me!! I NEED TO BEAT neonxiii!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-10-2009, 03:06 PM	#5
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Oh well, it's already been done, lol. I was gonna just glue them back on. Gonna make a note of that, though. Thanks. Last edited by JPsBB6; 06-10-2009 at 03:12 PM.

06-10-2009, 03:12 PM	#6
BlkLUDE5G Preludepower Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH-IO Age: 20 Posts: 3,717 iTrader: (1)	what color we painting these?? __________________ LET THE BUILDING COMMENCE: INJEN Tanabe/// Spoon Magnaflow To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *BB Squad #66 (v.2)!* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-10-2009, 03:31 PM	#9
Smitty2001 Preludepower Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern KY - Cincinnati OH Age: 27 Posts: 2,117 iTrader: (1) View Photos By: Smitty2001	good stuff. Your goods are dirty though man. Looks like someone spilled soda/pop on the top of your gauge cluster. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-10-2009, 03:17 PM	#7
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Probably silver. Unless I think of a different color, like a graphite color.

06-11-2009, 09:33 AM	#11
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Finished. Let me know if something sounds confusing or missing.

06-11-2009, 12:56 PM	#12
99Lewd Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Very nice writeup with detailed pics

06-11-2009, 01:06 PM	#13
prelude2perfect Preludepower Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MN Age: 27 Posts: 1,352 iTrader: (5) View Photos By: prelude2perfect	I just recently did this with my car. It's definately a very easy way to give the interior a more classy look __________________ ------------------------------------ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. My Boosted 5th Gen To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-11-2009, 02:40 PM	#14
EUSTACH Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: south caro Age: 30 Posts: 272 iTrader: (0) View Photos By: EUSTACH	nice write up. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. BRAND NEW ZEX KIT FOR SALE To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-2009, 02:17 PM	#15
rushi Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Finland, North Europe Age: 27 Posts: 40 iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the writeup! I used VHT Chrome paint, works damn well both in daylight and at nighttime. Last edited by rushi; 09-08-2009 at 11:50 AM.

09-03-2009, 07:02 PM	#17
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Thanks man... I have a new pic I have to throw on here. I'm on my iPod, so I can't do it right now. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ^^^Click for the my Progress Page!^^^

09-04-2009, 08:55 AM	#19
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Lol... That was before I could start driving it because it was unregistered and uninsured... Trust me, it never goes that low. Except for yesterday. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ^^^Click for the my Progress Page!^^^

09-04-2009, 01:07 PM	#20
comebackid toughnuts Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha, Ne Posts: 72 iTrader: (0) View Photos By: comebackid	nice write-up! I was wondering if anyone has painted their gauge rings anything but silver? i was thinking red might be cool, but i don't know if it would end up looking to ricer. __________________ jdm h22a swap complete! Loving the NA life! Next step: cams, cam gears, injectors, fuel pump and aem ems. possible e85.

09-06-2009, 07:50 PM	#21
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Someone on here did them in red, I believe. Can't think of the name off the top of my head, though... Here's the pic that was promised: __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ^^^Click for the my Progress Page!^^^

10-07-2009, 10:48 PM	#22
BEEFYMcGangBang Lude Dude Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 128 iTrader: (0)	not to bring it back from the recent dead, but im actually doing this as i type. and yes its 1:48 am.

10-10-2009, 07:49 PM	#23
JPsBB6 True Luder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 3OH!2 Age: 21 Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Lol, so how'd they turn out? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ^^^Click for the my Progress Page!^^^

10-18-2009, 08:32 PM	#24
BEEFYMcGangBang Lude Dude Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 128 iTrader: (0)	you tell me: I used krylon brushed aluminum. SHIT LOOKS HOT!!!

10-18-2009, 08:36 PM	#25
Ludeh22A True Luder Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GP, TX Age: 22 Posts: 345 iTrader: (0)	I wonder if red would look good? or would it look kinda lame has anyone done it red?

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