"Corky Scott" wrote in message
...

One of the options I saw was somehow using clear plastic around each
guage to light it. The actual light bulbs were elsewhere and and
light passed through the plexiglass to shine down on the instrument.

Most aircraft instruments do not come with their own lighting. Most are
intended to be mounted in an aluminum sheet panel with no acrylic between
the bezel and the panel. Having fought this battle, I would either buy post
lighting and be done with it or make my own LED post lighting.

Some points to consider:
1. If acrylic is used between the instruments and the panel, there will be a
parallax "shadow" around the near edge of those instrument not directly in
front of your eyes.
2. Edge lighting does nothing to illuminate switches or anything except
instruments. You will still need "flood" lights.
3. Google up "LED lighting". You will find a jillion lights which can be
mounted on the cockpit sides or glare shield to light up your panel in any
color you want.

You want to build a plane - not spend hours designing or building
behind-the-panel fiberoptic lighting that only does half the job. )

Rich S.