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  • Speedo / Tach / Gauges: Directional signal indicators on dash ('53 Commander)

    I am cleaning, painting, etc. the dash in my '53 Commander. I have it apart and I can see that whatever was fastened to the back of the dash panel behind the directional indicator arrows is gone. I think it should be some kind of green "plastic". I need advice on what to get to replace it and where to get it. Same problem with the high beam indicator except it needs to be red. Thanks in advance!
    Howard - Los Angeles chapter SDC
    '53 Commander Starliner (Finally running and driving, but still in process)
    '56 Golden Hawk (3 speed/overdrive, Power steering - Running, but not yet driving)
    '58 Packard Hawk. A partially restored car that was not completely assembled.

  • #2
    Look down in the bottom of the gauge cluster. The plastic could be there.

    Craft stores like Lee's or Michael's would have clear red and green plastic. fasten it with RTV (silicone seal) and it will outlast you.
    RadioRoy, specializing in AM/FM conversions with auxiliary inputs for iPod/satellite/CD player. In the old car radio business since 1985.


    10G-C1 - 51 Champion starlight coupe
    4H-K5 - 53 Commander starliner hardtop
    5H-D5 - 54 Commander Conestoga wagon

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    • #3
      Roy:
      I did find the plastic, but it was beyond use. A craft store is a great idea. Thanks.
      Howard - Los Angeles chapter SDC
      '53 Commander Starliner (Finally running and driving, but still in process)
      '56 Golden Hawk (3 speed/overdrive, Power steering - Running, but not yet driving)
      '58 Packard Hawk. A partially restored car that was not completely assembled.

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      • #4
        I used clear packaging tape, and colored it green with a sharpie. It's only been a year or so, but still looks good. Also did the high beam indicator in red.
        Dwight 54 Commander hardtop

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        • #5
          Another great idea! Thanks Dwight.
          Howard - Los Angeles chapter SDC
          '53 Commander Starliner (Finally running and driving, but still in process)
          '56 Golden Hawk (3 speed/overdrive, Power steering - Running, but not yet driving)
          '58 Packard Hawk. A partially restored car that was not completely assembled.

          Comment


          • #6
            That can't be the best we can do here on the Forum.
            Good Roads
            Brian
            Brian Woods
            woodysrods@shaw.ca
            1946 M Series (Shop Truck)

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            • #7
              I don't remember if it was for a 53, but someone on the forum at one time suggested using the plastic from a "Mountain Dew" bottle for the lenses.
              South Lompoc Studebaker

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              • #8
                One solution that some have used is to cut pcs out of the colored hanging file folder tabs from the office supply store. I tried that out, and didn't care for the "look" when the bulbs were lit. The tabs I used were too translucent so the color washed out and you could see the bulb filament. Maybe 2 layers would have been better. Also, in hindsight, the originals were secured to the back of the metal mask with what appeared to be masking tape. If that stuff was thin enough, maybe acted as a diffuser. I didn't experiment.

                My company makes dash clusters for some tractors and trucks (as well as other vehicle electronics) and I had access to the scrap bins where old prototypes and left over stuff from testing gets chucked. I ripped off the colored plastic overlay "lens" sheet from some idiot light cluster that had green and red in it and cut pcs out of that. Correct type color and translucence for this application so it looks great.

                Unfortunately, not a option for most readers here although maybe something from the auto junk yard could be ripped apart as cars from the 80s on often use these plastic sheets with the colored sections for the warning lights.

                Jeff in ND

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                • #9
                  Thanks Jeff. Another good idea!
                  Howard - Los Angeles chapter SDC
                  '53 Commander Starliner (Finally running and driving, but still in process)
                  '56 Golden Hawk (3 speed/overdrive, Power steering - Running, but not yet driving)
                  '58 Packard Hawk. A partially restored car that was not completely assembled.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I use the "folder tabs" doubled, and lightly bead blasted to frost them to diffuse the light.
                    Bez Auto Alchemy
                    573-318-8948
                    http://bezautoalchemy.com


                    "Don't believe every internet quote" Abe Lincoln

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by 55 56 PREZ 4D View Post
                      I don't remember if it was for a 53, but someone on the forum at one time suggested using the plastic from a "Mountain Dew" bottle for the lenses.
                      Yes, try two thicknesses.
                      KURTRUK
                      (read it backwards)




                      Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong. -A. Lincoln

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by 55 56 PREZ 4D View Post
                        I don't remember if it was for a 53, but someone on the forum at one time suggested using the plastic from a "Mountain Dew" bottle for the lenses.
                        That might have been me. There is also a tool that most of us have "perfect" for cutting them out. It's one of those cheap little hole punches for making holes in paper.

                        Instructions...Drink the soda pop.

                        Rinse the bottle.

                        Cut out a chunk of the green plastic.

                        Take a hole punch and punch a hole in the plastic.

                        Discard everything (including the hole) except for the tiny "new lens."

                        Repeat the process for extra lens!
                        John Clary
                        Greer, SC

                        SDC member since 1975

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                        • #13
                          While not 'correct', when building the instrument panel on The Yellow POS, I used some craft store colored liquid plastic.
                          They had all the primary colors, so I used the red and green 'candy' style, so it would not be opaque.
                          But I did not make a sheet of it to use as a 'backer'.
                          I masked off the two arrows and 'filled' the opening, so it would be flush to the surface (and easier to keep clean).
                          Eleven years later it is just like day one.
                          Just offering this as a durability testimony.
                          Making a sheet of it would be easy, and some experimenting with thickness would get you the shade you are looking for.
                          Signal your intentions
                          Jeff
                          HTIH (Hope The Info Helps)

                          Jeff


                          Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain



                          Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)

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                          • #14
                            Funny......as these cars age parts come into demand that were never needed or even given a second thought not that many years ago!

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                            • #15
                              Yet another great idea! I'm sooooooooooooo confused!! Seriously, thanks everyone.
                              Howard - Los Angeles chapter SDC
                              '53 Commander Starliner (Finally running and driving, but still in process)
                              '56 Golden Hawk (3 speed/overdrive, Power steering - Running, but not yet driving)
                              '58 Packard Hawk. A partially restored car that was not completely assembled.

                              Comment

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