dash lighting

[xcyter]

OK. Ive got the dash out of my '72. I want to replace the dash/guage lights.

I did a search but didnt find a definate answer. I do not want to modify.

The book at the parts house says Sylvania 1445 but they are only 1.9 w and the original says 3.4w

someone posted here sylvania 53's ????

So does anyone know which bulb I should use without converting to LED's or anything else, just a normal bulb. ?????

Thanks.

[EScanlon]

I've been using and recommending Sylvania 53BP's for a number of years.

FWIW

E

[beandip]

Since you have the dash out and the gages are accessible. If you remove the gage and take take he back off and paint inside he metal dome WHITE . You will find that Nissan had painted a little white in there , but if you do the whole dome , light will be reflected forward and the gage will be much brighter. EScanlon told me of this years ago and it is a good tip. Use some Mcguire's plastic polish on the lenses while you are in there and the gage will look better than new. Gary

[Rockr69]

Mcguire's plastic polish ....Gooood!

[EScanlon]

Meguiar's plastic polish is even better when you patiently and carefully use all 3 steps!

2¢

E

[sblake01]

Three steps? Hmmmmm....looks like I'm going to have to read the label next time I use it .

[Fun_in_my_z]

Three steps? Hmmmmm....looks like I'm going to have to read the label next time I use it .

ya think?

[five&dime]

My dad's 70 has the whiter lights. I assure you it is 100x's better than the standard dim bulbs. They look amazing. I just noticed a few weeks ago. I am not sure what bulbs are in there, but they are pure white and much brighter than the ones in his 72

[EScanlon]

Per their instructions these are the 3 products:

First is

N° 17 Clear Plastic Cleaner - Removes Fine Scratches from Clear Plastics; followed by:

N° 10 Clear Plastic Polish - Creates brilliant optic clarity on all clear plastics; and then:

N° 18 Clear Plastic Detailer - Safely removes surface residue and enhance optical clarity.

Although, depending on the condition of the plastic, you might use them in descending order and then repeat number 18 (i.e. 18, 17, 10, 18). I did that on my tail-light lenses and the results are stunning.

This is perfect for all smooth finish plastic pieces also. I recently "restored" some black plastic knobs for my 67 Roadster to a mirror bright finish.

N°17 is like a very fine powder rubbing compound.

N°10 takes that a step further and it's like polishing with 2% milk.

N°18 is a clear spray, but it does give plenty of reflective shine on dark plastics and seems to remove light cloudiness.

FWIW

E

[MEZZZ]

Wow, I had no idea there were 3 steps. THe bottle I bought last week was just called PlastX polish. It did a very nice job though and Im pleased with the results on my gauge lenses.

I had bought something the day earlier at a Walgreens Drug Store. My wife dragged me in there and I thought, what the heck, I'll look for something in the eyewear area. I found an eyeglass scratch remover kit, it was terrible! You use a cleaning solution on it and then apply another liquid to fill in the scratches, using an applicator. The results were horrendous, I threw it in the garbage.

Thankfully, the PlastX took it back off and made them look nice again.

[7277]

xcyter; just go to the local autoparts store and grab some 4W replacements of the same socket size....$2.49 for a two-pack. also you might want to leave the 3.4W ones in the turn signal indicator and e-brake holes. i find the 4W are a little BRIGHT for those spots, as they are dedicated holes for those particular bulbs..

my $0.02

[Poindexter]

I really want to switch to LED lighting throughout my gauges, or at least swap into higher wattage bulbs as discussed here, but I'll tell you what worked- at least for me- in the short term until I can accomplish that: I twisted the dimmer back and forth, stop to stop several times, to clean any corrosion off the potentiometer/wiper. It worked and now my gauges are almost bright enough to see during the day! Well, at least I can tell if they're on or off.

Now I'm in no rush to tear my dash apart.