repainting fuel gauge dial

I just did mine. You can get pinstripe tape to mask off the dial line then just paint the dial black, not too thick or the paint will build up along the tape.
 
Depending on the dial, the numbers on the gauge were black except in early 1928 when the "0" and "F" were brick red.

The paint I used 25 years ago was lacquer and is still holding up.

See my website under Additional Studies for the Gas Gauge article I did...hopefully this will help you.

Pluck
 
I use fuel proof black paint to fill in the numbers, then wipe the face with solid cardboard, like a cereal box, to remove the excess paint. I cut a thin strip of clear tape and placed it across the middle of a wire brushed face plate. I sprayed Plasticoat flat or semi gloss balck, then after the paint sets for a few minutes to let most of the solvents escape, I remove the tape. This leaves a nice thin line. I'll see if I have a picture of mine, which I did about 10 years ago. Most of the time I don't have to do the dial, because it's in good original condition. I only recall painting one dial.

GasGuage3.jpg


GasGuage4.jpg


I still need to renickel the brass outer nut.
 
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I tried Testor's fuel proof dope (which worked great on my carb) on my gas gauge, but it seemed to have poor adhesion to the aluminum (or pot metal or whatever), and I was worried about it flaking off. I ended up using Eastwood Ultra Chassis Black spray, which is Epoxy-based. It has held up fine for two years so far:

http://dougbraun.com/model_a_gallery...g2_itemId=5581

After the paint dried, I wet-sanded with 600 wet-or-dri sandpaper to remove the excess.

Doug
 
Doug,

Thanks for that picture. That looks sharp. I'm getting ready to do mine and I now feel better about the potential outcome.
 
KGBnut said:
Doug,
Thanks for that picture. That looks sharp. I'm getting ready to do mine and I now feel better about the potential outcome.
Click to expand...

Restoring a Model A involves about a thousand little jobs, and I think that rebuilding the gas gauge was one of the most enjoyable for me.

Doug
 
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