illuminated dashboard

[kaptain Jack]

I have finally figured the way to make illuminated dash. Hope this short tutorial will help and ''illuminate'' an easy way for everyone to make one if they wish.
[IMG]Untitled by Jack Reichman, on Flickr[/IMG]
First step: transfer the decal on to thin piece of acrylic, I used .75mm, trim the excess acrylic.
Step two: black out all the area not to be illuminated, black paint will do the job. Paint the back side, not the front where decal is placed.
Using clear paint, green in my case, cover the area you want to be visible . Drill holes in the dashboard where the gages to be shown. Glue the acrylic panel to the dash.
Untitled by Jack Reichman, on using scrap plastic make back wall of the shadow box and drill wholes to accommodate LEDs, as close as possible to where gages to be illuminated.
Stick some aluminum paper inside for reflection.
Glue the back of the shadow box and LEDs in place.
[IMG]Untitled by Jack Reichman, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]Untitled by Jack Reichman, on Flickr[/IMG]

[frizzen]

That is Awesome!

Any reason you wired the leds seperately, like changing with light modes or indicating something?

I'm gonna have to do that to something now...

[Wombii]

Nice tutorial. I've already made the shadow box and LEDs, but fortunately haven't finished it, so I'll definitely try using that acrylic plate idea for the instruments.