I found a way to make clean, clear instrument faces. I know it works in 1/48, not sure about 1/72. All you need is a scanner, imaging software, & a printer.
Scan the kit's panel. Open it with the imaging software (I use Photoshop). Using the scan as a template, "paint" the needles & numbers (you can also use text & colors) on a black background. Print it on a premium glossy photo paper. Drill out the kit's dials, & place the print behind it (like P.E./film negative). Instant clean dials !
I scan at the hightest resolution my scanner will handle (3200 pixels/inch for 1/48 panel) & print at the highest resolution (2880 dots/inch).
Berore mounting, cover the face of the dials w/a thin transparency (cellophane from pasta box, etc.) to protect the water-soluable ink. The panel, minus instruments, can be airbrushed, washed & drybrushed w/o worry of obscuring the dials.
You can also use the scanned panel (or any other part) as a template for scratchbuilding. Scan fuselages & wings to make masks for camo, wheelwells, doors, etc. Print it on matt heavyweight paper & cut it out. You can also make belts (complete with weave & stitch patterns !)
There's plenty of uses for a scanner/software/printer combination in modeling. Can you think of any more ?