dashboard detailing

I saw this tips on another forum. If for instans you want white dials and black background. First apply an enamel base of white and after that has thourogly dried you apply the second layer, in this case black acrylic paint. When this second layer is dry you simply take a fine paintbrush or a cotton swab (depending on the size of the gauge) and remove the black paint from the dials with help from the appropriate thinner for acrylic paint. This wan't affect the enamel if you don't handle the piece rough. This will leave the dials in a nice coulor against the background. Top off the whole thing with some kind of clear paint to simulate the glas in front of the gauges.

Good Luck!
Niclas

I paint the dials in the background color, then drybrush the numbers in the correct color, then the needles in their color, the use 5 minute epoxy for guage lenses. Hope this helps.

Along Niclas' suggestion...

You might want to try putting BMF over the gauges and then paint over it with your dash/gauge backround color. Then, you can use a thinner to remove the paint around the 'raised' edges so that the BMF shows through. Works great if you want that look.
You can also 'polish' the top coat of paint off by using some very fine sandpaper or abrasive to 'rub' the paint off of the high-points. This works really well for getting body scripts and other emblem's to pop out.

M.

I discovered this one by accident - paint your guages the background color and let dry. Then go over the numbers / needles lightly with a well-sharpened colored pencil. Use 5-minute epoxy for the lenses. DO NOT use clear paint (especially water-based acrylic) as this causes the markings to dissolve. You can find whatever color you need (including silver) at any good hobby / craft store.