Factory Correct Gauge Colors?

[Taylor1936]

Hello all. I am seeking to find information on what shade of black GM painted thier gauges. I am restoring a 1985 c10 to it's original configuration. I have ordered a new speedometer and all new engine gauges. I have noticed that the speedometer face is painted gloss black. However the temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, and amp gauge are a semi-gloss. The engine gauges may even be considered a satin black finish. Does anyone know if GM incorporated both shades of black within a gauge cluster or should I send them out to have them re-silk screened to match each other?

P.S: All vendors that sell engine gauges only come in a satin/semi gloss black.

 

[bucket]

All of the ones I have seen that came from nice interiors have been painted a shade of black that is somewhere between gloss and semi gloss.

 

[AuroraGirl]

mine appeared to match with the speedo only slightly more reflective but i deduced that was to not appear dim in the center vs a small guage didnt need so much light.
and so it stands out to you most, its the most important gague as far as the LAW is concerned.

i hate the law

 

[Taylor1936]

So it would be correct to say semi-gloss gauges were in fact used in conjuction with glossy black speedometers. It is not a HUGE color difference...but the difference is noticeable if you study it and squint your eyes at the gauges for a while. Is this a true statement?

 

[AuroraGirl]

this here is 1978 in its unfondled glory, i can pop off the plastic lens for you if you would like. any other gauge i have seen i know for a fact is been out of hte truck numerous times before me and might be mangled together

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[Goldie Driver]

From a 1980 cluster, stock.

Semi gloss ?

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[Taylor1936]

AuroraGirl thank you for taking your time taking pictures. No need to take the lenses off. However, Goldie Driver, it appears in your picture the fuel gauge matches your small gauges. Whether one were to call them semi-gloss or gloss...they all appear to match one another. I may have to consider re-silk screening all my gauges to match each other. I really appreciate yall's help.

 

[bucket]

Do they look the same when mounted behind the lense?

 

[AuroraGirl]

Do they look the same when mounted behind the lense?

good thought, maybe its an effect of the plastic from either the sun or to make it more crisp at night when everything else is important just not what you need to snap to?

 

[Taylor1936]

Hello all. The gauges look different behind the lens. I am unsure if this is the way GM wanted them to look.

 

[Taylor1936]

I am a purest when it comes to restoring a vehicle, airplane, antique, etc. I don't want to complete this truck with out having done a good amount of research. When someone asks me, " Why are the gauges different"? I would like to be honest and tell then that is the way GM rolled them out the factory...if this is the case.

 

[RoryH19]

From my 90 k5 cluster. Original paint and appear to be all the same color.

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[RoryH19]

Didn't need it for these gauges but here is the needle paint.

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[Taylor1936]

Thank you RoryH19.

 

[USMC Hitman]

Greatest thing I have found when the plastic covering is scratched and hard to see through is Mother's chrome polish and the Power Ball Mini. I did mine and I can see my gages a lot better and brighter now.