Changing Instrument Cluster Dial Colour

Hi Guys, I am thinking about changing the colour of my facelift 996 4s instrument cluster dials from black to white. I have found some kits on the web which consist of replacement gauge dial faceplates. It looks like you have to remove the cluster from the car, remove the perspex front, take off the gauge needles and then remove and replace the gauge faceplates. Has anyone fitted these or got any instruction on how to do it and how easy was it? Any feedback would be really appreciated. Thanks.

I used to do this back in my boy racer days, (in the 90's everyone wanted white dials ) - it's easy to mess up, the pins the needles go on are very delicate, and it's easy to mis align them or make the needles stick by layering something on top of the dials. It can be done, but if you haven't done it before it's easy to cause more harm than good, and I am fairly good with spanners and my fingers lol. I've seen stainless kits too, not sure how they work being even thicker. If you wanted to do anything to the cluster, rings would probably be the most hassle free bet if you fancied a change. Cheers,

Oh, thought of something else, if you wanted a different look you could always change out the bulbs or switch to LEDS to change the illuminated colour, that is normally a straight forward job.

Hi All, I thought that some of you may be interested in an update on my quest to change the colour of the instrument cluster gauge faces on my 996 4S. I eventually found a guy called Julian Reap at Reap Design based in Harrow, North London. He can supply and fit any colour combination of gauge faces for any Porsche; he also refurbishes gauge faces on older Porsches. He is a specialist in all Porsche gauges, holds spares and can also arrange repairs. Julian agreed to do a 'while you wait' service and talked me through the process as he worked. He is a real perfectionist and, as I watched him work on my cluster, I was glad that I had entrusted the work to a professional! If you need anything relating to Porsche gauges I suggest you give him a call on 0208 863 2305. My cluster gauges now have a white background with numbers in Guards Red to match the exterior colour.......it looks great. Regards, Steve

Hey Steve, can we see some pictures please? how much did he charge? T1x

man the hazard light surround was tight on my car when I removed the dash.

In answer to various requests, please find attached a photo of the finished product. I had previously added the chrome rings to the cluster gauges in an effort to sharpen up the look. Not sure yet whether I will keep them with the new white gauge faces. Regarding removal of the cluster, once you have the hazard warning surround/switch out and the corresponding microphone cover on the other side of the cluster it is an easy job to remove the two screws to release the whole cluster pod. Three colour coded electrical plugs are removed from their sockets and then the whole pod can be reomved from the car. About 10 mins in total to remove. The cost is best discussed with Julian depending on what you want and how you will arrange access for the dial faces to be fitted. Regards. Steve

The dials look really good. If you want to sell your rings let me know. I will give them a good home. .

Did you want the speedo in KPH?

Ha i didnt even notice that untill you said.

Hi Richard, Yes, the car is LHD, I wanted to keep the speedo reading KPH for when I eventually go to sell the car. I use the digital MPH readout for keeping the right side of the law! Regards, Steve

Nice job, I would keep the alu dial surrounds, it finishes off the look. I will give this chap a ring as I have been looking into this for some time. The cost of getting Porsche OEM white dials is well over £1000 so this has to be cheaper! Thanks Alan.

Do what Steve did and take them on a while you wait basis. Julian does a super job, but I am told he can be a bit slow turning jobs around.

Would have taken my car to Julien, had i been a bit closer. Just a bit out of my way me being in Cumbria, about 300mls. Thanks for the info guys.

Hi Baz, If your car is not used every day you could send the cluster to Julian by courier for the gauge faces to be changed, removal of the cluster from the car and re-fitting in my opinion is a diy job if you are careful. Regards,

Thanks Steve, will consider that option. Cheers

By the way can you give me his full address? Thanks again

Try this; http://www.iwantaporsche.net/cluster.htm