EvolutionM - Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution Community - How To: Orange Radio and HVAC lights (cheap and easy, lots of pics)

This write up is for all of you who would like to change their interior dash color to ORANGE. I have read a few write up’s about changing to red, but never for orange. This method will provide good results for a minimum amount of work and more importantly; Dollars. Rather than going out to find hard to find “condom” bulb covers, or LED’s (available from superbrightleds.com).

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...87/orange1.jpg

You will need the following materials, available from your local Wal-Mart;

Delta Ceramcoat Tangerine-Mandarin Semi Opaque Acrylic paint; about $1.40 from the craft department. I have tested several oranges including Clear orange and red, but the semi-opaque is a perfect match for the gauge cluster. Red is too red, and transparent orange is a little more red than the gauge cluster. You can make any color you want, but to match the gauge cluster, you will need the exact paint listed on the left. You will also need a very small paint brush, preferably a flat one, and several q-tips. Something to hold bulbs will help; you can make a holder from paper clips, or put a small hole in a small box or foam. My key ring is pictured to give you a reference to size. You will also need a #1 Phillips screwdriver, and a small jeweler’s screwdriver, and a small flathead. Paper towels are also recommended.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...87/orange3.jpg

Next: take you center console off by pulling off you’re A/C Knobs, and removing the 2 screws (arrows), next pull from the bottom first (either hole left or right) from where the knobs were, then do the top. There are about 4 friction clips holding the top in place.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...87/orange5.jpg

Remove the 4 screws (arrows) including the 2 holding your a/c buttons. Take off clear plastic piece and remove bulbs by pulling out straight. (You do NOT have to remove the bulb sockets from behind) Next remove your radio by taking out 4 screws on either side of the radio, and unplugging, harness, antenna wire, and amp controller cable-( Mine is an SSL)Place radio on clean surface.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...7/orange-6.jpg

Radio Disassembly: Remove tape (arrows) covering a few tabs on bottom. There are 8 tabs total. 1 on each side, and 3 on top and bottom. Start with a side tab, and go on to one next to it on either the top or bottom. Using the small flathead, go in order until all the tabs are semi off, then pull the faceplate straight off, (do not go at an angle). After removal, you will notice that the faceplate is kind of like detachable faceplate where it has 2 “plugs” that go into it.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...87/orange8.jpg

Faceplate disassembly: Pull off the volume knob and the audio knob. Flip faceplate over and remove the 7 screws w/ a small jeweler’s screwdriver (arrows). You should now be able to remove inner faceplate, and flip over. You should be able to see all the bulbs.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...87/orange9.jpg

You cannot remove these bulbs (I think, I was to chicken to pull too hard!) The picture is the bulbs already painted orange but I figured that you didn’t really need to see before and after pics. Remove all the blue condoms from the radio, and the 2 bulbs from the HVAC console, putting them in a safe place in case you want to go back to stock. Now you can start painting. shake the paint really well,open the whole cap, and using the q-tip, dip in, apply a generous coat to each bulb, trying not to leave bubbles. Having a bright light is definitely recommended to see if you are fairly even. The 2 hardest bulbs are the 2 next to the LCD screen. You will need to use the paintbrush to get to the innermost part. You cannot remove the LCD because it is soldiered to the board. The reason for using the q-tips and not the paintbrush for the bulbs is because the q-tips give a better coat. It does not have to be perfect, but try and completely cover the bulbs.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...7/orange10.jpg

The key light is a pain. Take apart your steering column (4 screws) and access the ring light. The bulb holder (arrow) needs to be turned before pulling it out (kind of difficult), even harder is putting it back in w/o scratching paint off your bulb.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...7/orange11.jpg

Cigarette lighter ring: to remove the plastic grey part, take your ashtray out and take out black screw directly beneath it. Remove shift knob, and you can take out the plastic part to access bulb.

Here is an extra pic of the HVAC lights lighted up.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-...87/orange7.jpg
Notes:

Go slow
Letting the bulbs dry for a few hours is best, using a hairdryer will make the bulbs really hot, and it will bubble the paint off of the bulbs.
Try not to lose bulbs, the ashtray light is similar but not the same as the HVAC lights, but will do o.k. as a replacement
If you get paint on anything you don’t want painted, use a toothpick to remove it.
If you want to remove paint, it will easily come off w/ your fingernail, no solvents are needed.
There is a little bump on the glass part of the right side of the radio LCD. Paint it too, because it will catch stray light and make a corresponding dot on your screen.
Make sure you don’t drop anything into the hole where the ashtray is/was. It is very hard to find things down there.
Good luck and PM me w/ any questions.
BTW, You Can not do the clock with this method, I already tried.