foxbat426 Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 HI, I'm finishing up a Lindberg 1/32 Pontiac Ventura. The head light lenses are chrome plated. Is there something, tip, trick I could do to make the lenses look more like glass. Ill get some pics up when I'm done. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 I have used Tamiya X-11 Chrome Silver followed by either Clear or Future after the paint dried. This looks close next to the chrome headlight ring. Not as good as a clear lens but it makes it look different enough and is easy to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragline Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 This simple trick should get you there. Get some of you favorite clear. Add just a touch of white paint. I would do some test runs on some chrome first. Make an almost pearlish clear if you will. I use Tamiya clear and Tamiya flat white. Works like a charm. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 1 hour ago, Dragline said: This simple trick should get you there. Get some of you favorite clear. Add just a touch of white paint. I would do some test runs on some chrome first. Make an almost pearlish clear if you will. I use Tamiya clear and Tamiya flat white. Works like a charm. Bob Or you could just squirt some Testor White Lightning into its cap, and use that. I like it better for backup lights and white turn signals/side markers, but it could work for chrome headlights, too, maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBcritter Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 John, this is a longshot, but check your chrome parts in that kit and see if they are molded in clear plastic under the chrome. I have a Lindberg 1/32 Granada and many of its chrome parts have faded to reveal clear plastic underneath! If so, strip off the chrome from the lenses and you're all set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 On 4/26/2018 at 10:10 AM, Snake45 said: Or you could just squirt some Testor White Lightning into its cap, and use that. I like it better for backup lights and white turn signals/side markers, but it could work for chrome headlights, too, maybe. This morning at Walmart I discovered Folk Art has a pearl white in their acrylic metallic line. I'm looking forward to trying it for white lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeakDoc Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 I dry-brush the high spots with semi-gloss white enamel. I’ve found that gloss white does not provide enough contrast and satin is too dull for my taste. Of course, there’s more than one way to skin a cat but I really like the effect dry brushing them gives. In fact, I prefer to see chrome molded headlight lenses to clear plastic ones when I pop open a muscle car kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SfanGoch Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 Real headlights aren't white. I believe Bill "Mr. Obsessive" Geary mentioned in a similar thread that he used some pearlescent acrylic craft paint applied over the lenses to achieve a realistic glass look. I use MM Acryl Gloss Clear with a small drop of silver acrylic paint mixed in. This imparts a sense of depth when the chrome plating reflects light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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