Blue CLOCK conversion: How to (ish)

[tylersphile]

I decided to start the conversion with the hardest part. Took about 2 hours along with soldering the pins (springs lost connection).

Basically, I dremelled off the edge of the OEM clock cover to remove the tinted "tan" colored plastic faceplate from the sides. I wanted to retain the surrounding piece for easy re-mounting. Then flattened the cut edge with a file to create a good bonding surface for the new plexiglass piece.

As for the plexi, I used 1/16th inch and cut to shape with jigsaw. Then cut the button holes with a small dremel bit. Cut 3 pieces of blue "spotlight color film" (purchased from the local pro-music/lighting store), slightly smaller than the plexi to allow adhesion to each when gluing to the OEM "now-faceless" plastic trim piece. Cut the button holes in the blue tint, then traced the edge of the with acrylic cement and put the two together.

Snaps right back into place!

Installed:

Tools and supplies:

Before Install:

 

[4-Ripcord]

Nice work! Did you dive into that project with your own clock? Or get one from a junker and cut into it? And remind me, behind that plexiglass, the clock is bright green right? its not the tinted plexi that makes it green is it?



I may have to go back into my clock and see if I can get a better, brighter white.

Great write-up!

 

[tylersphile]

Nice work! Did you dive into that project with your own clock? Or get one from a junker and cut into it? And remind me, behind that plexiglass, the clock is bright green right? its not the tinted plexi that makes it green is it?



I may have to go back into my clock and see if I can get a better, brighter white.

Great write-up!

I had the blue-spot-light-tint laying around from a previous vehicle's dash conversion, so I held a few pieces up to the clock with the cover removed prior to chopping things up. I did use the clock from the vehicle... The only concern I had was the thickness of the new plastic (1/16") over the old (1/32"), and was prepared to track down some thinner stuff if need be. I was worried that the buttons wouldn't stick out enough, but it worked out well. I presume you could get a better cut on the button holes if a proper (smaller diameter bit) was used, but it's so small you can hardly see the imperfections. The picture provided shows the rough cut. I got the plastic for free from off-cuts from the local fibreglass + plastic store.

The color of the clock without the tan tinted plastic is turquoise (see below). The LEDs lighting the panel are not able to be swapped out, so white will be a no go. Red would be hard to achieve without ending up with purple...

I plan to find some lettering from the craft store to overlay the "hour, minute, and reset" button labels. A cue-tip and black paint applied to the inside cuts on the buttons would make any flaws disappear... I think.

The color of the clock without the cover is very close to this (maybe a little lighter in color):