Improve chromed headlights

[jdcar32]

I have used a coat of slightly thinned ( with water) Testors window glue flowed onto those old tool chromed headlights to give them a better look. It's a water based glue, similar to Elmers I suppose, that is great for securing clear's without crazing or fogging. The headlights on the front of this AMT Merc are coated.

Edited 21 Jul 2012 by jdcar32

[Miatatom]

I've got to remember this tip. Looks very real.

[Jantrix]

I've done something similar with just a bit of white acrylic added.

[SuperStockAndy]

That looks even better than clear plastic ones! Thanks!!

[trogdor]

Great tip, thanks.

[crazyjim]

I'll have to try that on the '90 Chevy C1500 pickup I'm almost done with. Thanks.

[Steven Zimmerman]

Wow !...I'm impressed...I knew about this trick for years, but just never thought it would work...I will HAFTA try that now....THANKS !...(See a picture IS worth a thousand words....)

[carrucha]

Useful tip. Thanks!

[TooOld]

That looks very real . Now I'm sorry I drilled out the lights on my current build !

[Borgis]

I'm not familiar with that particular type of glue. Is it sticky or does it flow a bit?

[jdcar32]

I'm not familiar with that particular type of glue. Is it sticky or does it flow a bit?

It's similar to Elmers, it CAN be thinned with water to flow . I spread it with a toothpick to cover the lens. It takes about an hour, depending on temp, to go from milky to clear. I bought the Testors cement for clear parts at Michaels.

[Monty]

I'll have to try that on the '90 Chevy C1500 pickup I'm almost done with. Thanks.

I'll be anxiouly waiting to see how yours turns out. My Chevy SS454 pickup is still in its box because I hated the way they did the headlights on it.

[LongRoofNut]

Ohhhhhh, I like this one! Thanks for sharing.

[vypurr59]

If you mix a small amount of Tamiya Transparant Blue, in with the watered down glue mix, it gives the appearance of HID headlights, just an FYI

[vintagercr]

That's a great tip, thanks for sharing.

[clovis]

Awesome tip!!!

You guys are going to cost me a fortune...now I have to add Testor's window glue to my buy list!

[zenrat]

I use pearl white paint. Thin it to airbrushing consistency and put it on with a brush.

Being thin the chrome will show through.