From the factory manual. Note the Multifunction of the "AMP" Indicator.
See also: AMP Indicator ON.
122 Instrument Panel Indicator Lens Graphics Repair Notes
Feb 2019 Ronald Kwas (Comments added)
These notes apply also to the 544 model, which of course also used the similar Combination Instrument
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From the factory manual. Note the Multifunction of the "AMP" Indicator.
See also:
AMP Indicator ON.
Graphics on the Indicators Lenses of 122 Volvo combined instrument are often damaged or even missing entirely. Here are my notes on cause and repair options.
Perfect Graphics!
My info to a
question on Instrument
Lenses:
"White lettering and graphics were applied
(likely silk-screened) [I wasn't there
so don't know for sure] onto the smooth face of the Indicator lenses,
with an incompatible ink that did not unite/adhere
or interface particularly well with plastic, just sat on top, which
is not a problem if not disturbed...but come along every once and a while and
wipe, especially with a strong surface cleaner, and eventually the white ink
gets rubbed away completely.
Knowing this is half the cure...preventative anyway!...if your
[original] graphics are
still intact, DO NOT TOUCH THEM!
[...and just clean them extra gently with water only or a highly diluted and
weak cleaning solution, and dabbing, not rubbing!], If on the other hand they are long-gone, about
the only way I've found to restore them is to carefully use "Dry
Transfer
Lettering" from the graphics
[or modeling] trade (recommended makers: Letraset, Chartpak,
) and
lots of micro-careful work to manually reconstruct them. This work is not for
everybody, and even harder when the lenses are in place on an Instrument
Cluster. [...behind Steering Wheel and
not a flat horizontal surface!] If they are removed as yours appear to be, and you can work on them on
a well-lit table with magnifying glass, that would be MUCH simpler...so would be
a VERY steady hand (no smokers need apply...sorry!), so this work is again not
for everybody... Cheers"
[After restoration of the graphics with DTL, a dusting of matt spray lacquer can
be applied, and the extra gentle cleaning of course still applies!]
Letraset, Chartpak, Woodland Scenics are makers of DTL, and possible suppliers:
MG 738 by Woodland Scenics.
Typical appearance after a few decades of cleaning with aggressive surface
cleaners,
combined with (probably overly) aggressive scrubbing.
There are still applications for dtl...for instance: How else do you add a label to the flat face of an indicator?...can't do that by printing it from a computer!
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An better suggestion for a burnishing tool for DTL might be a round tipped touch-screen stylus.
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This information is Copyright © 2019. Ronald Kwas. The terms Volvo, Letraset, Chartpak, and Woodland Scenics are used for reference only. I have no affiliation with any of these companies, other than to use and try to keep their products working for me, help other enthusiasts do the same, and also present my highly opinionated results of the use of their products here. The information presented comes from my own experience and carefully considered opinion, and can be used (or not!), or ridiculed and laughed at, or worshipped, at the readers discretion. As with any recipe, your results may vary, and you are, and will always be, in charge of your own knuckles and future!
You are welcome to use the information here in good health, and for your own non-commercial purposes, but if you reprint or otherwise republish this article, you must give credit to the author or link back to the SwEm site as the source. If you don’t, you’re just a lazy, scum sucking plagiarist, and the Boston Globe wants you! As always, if you can supply corrections, or additional objective information or experience, I will always consider it, and consider working it into the next revision of this article...along with likely the odd metaphor, or analogy (see: ABS!) and probably wise-a** comment.
