TA22 Instrument cluster upgrade: UV Lighting!!

[jb_22]

Hey guys,

I have this really awesome project idea to upgrade the really piss-poor lighting in the TA22 instrument cluster. Basically it involves using UV globes in the cluster and UV glow-in-the-dark paint on the numbers/increments to create this eerie purple glow with bright green dials. But, the reflective coating around the rim of the gauge does no reflect UV light very well. The part I am referring to is the metal rim around the edge of the dial fascia that usually has white paint on the inner surface to provide some reflectivity (as we know, old instrument clusters are not backlit and are illuminated by the light coming around the edges of the dial).

Has anyone used any sort of UV-reflective paint/coating before? More specifically, where the hell do you find it!? I tried some chrome paint in an aerosol can but it was worse than the standard white coating. The glow-in-the-dark paint was also extremely hard to find, but my old man had a really good idea to try a watchmakers because of glow-in-the-dark watch hands.

I've tried hobby shops, paint shops, auto stores (autObarn etc) and they either have no idea what the hell I'm on about or have never stocked it. I reckon this mod would really set the interior of older cars off!

Yeah, so.. Does anyone know where you could buy small quantities of a coating specifically designed to reflect UV-light wavelengths?

I know I could buy aftermarket backlit gauges and install them and it may well be easier, but I really liked the idea of the UV glowing dials and doing something I have never seen before.

Ta, JB

[mattysshop]

FYI...

http://www.agingeye.net/visionbasics...tandvision.php

[jb_22]

A 12V 5 watt globe is not going to do any damage to the eye, especially indirectly in a car dash.. The sun is many thousands of times more intense than any light globe, incandescent, fluorescent, UV or otherwise.

[o_man_ra23]

Interesting concept. I have in the past had success with the VHT chrome in a can, though it really does take a lot of patience to get it right. UV light is an electromagnetic wave just like the visible light spectrum, so if a normal bulb reflects off a surface, so too will the UV light, unless there is a coating of a substance which has the right thickness and material properties to cause total internal refraction or total internal reflection, but the chances of some crap in a can that is being layed on via an uncontrolled spray technique acheiving this are similar to the chances of your winning lotto without buying a ticket.

As for the occular effect of UV light, I have my doubts that the level of light spoken of here will cause any issues, however I also wouldn't be staring at the bare bulbs for any large length of time. Still something to be cautious of.

Last thing to keep in mind is the ADRs your car complies with. You need to make sure they don't specify that the light used for the instruments must be in the visible spectrum or anything like that. Read up on them to be sure.

[jb_22]

Hi,

Perhaps using visible wavelength reflective coatings is the way to go, but I have a feeling it will be a little trial and error because that VHT Chrome is pretty useless for this application. Maybe that fluorescent paint that glows under UV-light - anyone know where to buy that in small quantities? It's proven hard to find as well

Will look into the ADRs too, but if Mr. Plod wants to defect me he can any number of other ways, so I doubt it'd make too much difference.

The other advantage of the glow-in-the-dark dials is during day-time driving, UV from the sun will "charge" the dials, so if I go under a dark bridge or short tunnel, the dials will glow as if the lights are on Should look pretty sick!

Ta, JB

[o_man_ra23]

VHT chrome in a can worked perfectly on my RA23 gauges. Was quite fiddly to paint with, and if you don't apply it right, it comes out matt grey, but that comes down to the person using it, not the product.

When using a reflective surface such as chrome, there is negligible difference with visible spectrum as compared to UV or IR.

[jb_22]

Hmm, maybe it was how I applied it.. Does the surface matter? I sprayed it from a pressure pack onto the original white paint. Finish was almost mottled & less reflective than the original white paint. Perhaps I'll practice some different techniques on some alfoil.

Ta, JB

[o_man_ra23]

It won't stick to alfoil. Give the surface a light sand or a scrub with clean water and a clean scouring pad, then wash and dry thoroughly with clean water. When spraying, make sure the can is well shaken, and only apply VERY light coats. Once you have done a coat, you should be scratching your head thinking "That's way not enough paint". Lots of very light coats with this gear will yield a somewhat reflective finish.

[jb_22]

Nice info o_man, cheers! + rep

[TERRA Operative]

You don't want fluorescent or glow paint to direct the UV light.

These paints contain phosphors that convert the UV light into visible light of various colours. Stick with silver etc to direct and reflect the light around. Maybe even glue in a bit of aluminium foil? I've seen that used to decent effect in OEM applications.

For the actual glowing areas, just use standard fluorescent paints. If you go to a model or hobby store, they will have little tins of paint and small spray cans in all sorts of colours that you can select from.
Bunnings and the like will also have fluoro paint, but it will be in larger spray cans.

[jb_22]

Hi,

I already have the fluorescent part for the dials sorted:



This stuff is awesome, it glows even brighter under the UV globes! I used a desk lamp to charge it up. Yeah, it's a piss-poor photo but it shows how well the stuff glows. It's a really fine powder and you mix it with an epoxy type resin to paint it on.

The only thing about alfoil is it oxides very easily, so the shiny side will tarnish after a short period? Would prefer a more permanent coating, but have yet to perfect the application of the "chrome in a can".

Ta, JB

[o_man_ra23]

Maybe see how you go polishing the alfoil with Autosol, as it leaves a protective residue after application (according to the manufacturer). It may or may not give the desired effect, but won't take much effort to try.