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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - restoring frogeye fuel gauge

In the process of restoring a gauge I picked up at an autojumble. Its seems to work ok. Its externally lit and there is a blue plastic band about 3/16 wide which sits just behind the face. Any idea where I could get this? I had a look on line but nobody seems to sell spare parts apart from the bezel and glass
Bob Beaumont

Probably doesn't help,-but I've seen gauges that just have the blue painted on the tin housing instead of the plastic insert
William Revit

Bob, what about looking in Rymans for those plastic file wallets they make? I am sure there are blue ones you could cut a strip off.
GuyW

Or use the top off an aerosol in full Blue Peter mode.
Come on Shep.


f pollock

Bob,

There are plenty of 'gel filter sheets' on e bay if you look at theatre light coloured gels etc.
Could always use a couple of layers/winds if a bit too transparent.
richard b

All done now. The blue plastic band is actually Cellastoid. Very helpfully John at Vintage Restorations based in Tunbridge Wells sent me a strip FOC. I tried heat resistant celluloid but it was too thin.
Bob Beaumont

I use the blue plastic from a toilet duck bottle
Dominic Clancy

Make sure you don't try cleaning the face of the gauge like I did!

Fortunately found a new one on ebay!

https://1965mgmidgetrestoration.blogspot.com/2013/12/fuel-gauge-repaired.html



James Paul

Do you mean the glass James? Why not? Or what's wrong with cleaning the chrome?
Bill Bretherton

James will never run out of fuel..no "E" for "empty" Bill....
David Cox

I left the gauge face. Its a bit faded but I didn't want to risk damage!! Frogeye/early Mk11 Sprite ones are quite rare.
Bob Beaumont

Ah, yes, of course. Wasn't looking properly! I wouldn't dream of cleaning the internal face for that very reason!
Bill Bretherton

Bob, you likely know this but, for others who may read this, the Frogeye fuel gauge has a "bridge" circuit which automatically compensates for voltage variations meaning a voltage stabiliser is not needed. Later gauges need a stabiliser.
Bill Bretherton

That face must be restore-able?
C MADGE

If anyone is looking for the Jaeger marked version of the gauge I have a couple to sell

May have a Smiths face too if I have a dig around
Dominic Clancy

If anyone want to restore the gauge I messed up they are more than welcome!
James Paul

This thread was discussed between 15/06/2019 and 16/07/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.