Anyone Fix Yellowing Meters?

[robinmtns]

My C2200 is in for repair and while it is down and out, I thought when I get it back I would also take care of a cosmetic problem.

The white meters yellowed from the heat of the lighting. I bought the unit like this several years ago from Audio Classics. Before shipping it out to me they installed the "spacer fix" to give air circulation room so its not getting any worse.

I understand this is a common problem with these (pre-LED) McIntosh meters so hoping someone here might have gone down this road before.

I would like to see if there is any way to correct this and bring the white plastic casing back to white on the inside. I dont have the pre with me right now, but I remember that the white part of the meter is the white casing that encloses the meter from behind and does not have the meter face on it. Am I correct on this?

If so, would it be possible to pull that plastic casing off the back and give it a spray with plastic paint? I know the casing might be glued together, but I have seen other types of meter repairs where its claimed the Mac meters can be pulled apart fairly easily by working the glue seam with an exacto knife.

[Masterlu]

Definitely not recommended.

[miner]

When I owned a C2200 I bought an LED light kit from AudioClassics and it came with new blue colored gels that just sat in the meter window.

[robinmtns]

Hi Miner--

I think my current as-came-from-factory meters have a blue film also. But the yellow still shows thru.

Are you saying the blue stuff that comes with the LED kit masks the yellow so you no longer see it?

[W9TR]

There are two things that could be at work here. The Blue gel filters may have faded, or the meter housings themselves may have discolored from the heat of the bulbs.

In your case I suspect it is the meter housing itself that has discolored. The cure is to replace both meters.

[robinmtns]

Last time I checked I think those meters go for around $200 each.

[62caddy]

Had a similar issue with the meters of an MC2125. Swapping of lamps to blue LEDs pretty much eliminated the problem however the faded plexiglass is still visible when the amplifier is turned off but it's not overly objectionable.

The purpose of the blue plexiglass is to keep the meter windows appearing blue when the unit is turned off.

[miner]

Originally Posted by robinmtns

Hi Miner--

I think my current as-came-from-factory meters have a blue film also. But the yellow still shows thru.

Are you saying the blue stuff that comes with the LED kit masks the yellow so you no longer see it?

No I cannot say it will mask the yellow but new gels May certainly help. I had heard the c2200 bulbs get hot so that is why I decided at the time for the LED kit.

[c_dk]

As I told you elsewhere I have and do believe pics were posted.

It is easier to post pics elsewhere.

[robinmtns]

Happy to report I did get an answer over on Audiokarma.

(Yes c_dk I found your reply over on the other site and replied to you there. Would like some more info on how the meters come apart if you will.)

c_dk has already done just as I was proposing (but he sanded off the discoloration vs my idea of painting). I think his solution is better, as it avoids any chance of paint cracking or flaking over time. I thought paint might have less tendency to yellow again vs the plastic that has proven it can yellow. But I'm sure once I add an LED kit the yellow won't return.

Of course the meters once exposed are fragile and great care must be taken. But it looks straightforward.