Chevy II Posted December 30, 2019 Posted December 30, 2019 Detailing my dash and want to cover the instrument cluster to represent the clear glass cover. What are some recommendations on what I can use?
BigTallDad Posted December 30, 2019 Posted December 30, 2019 Some pictures/information would be helpful. What vehicle/year are we talking about?
LL3 Model Worx Posted December 30, 2019 Posted December 30, 2019 33 minutes ago, Chevy II said: Detailing my dash and want to cover the instrument cluster to represent the clear glass cover. What are some recommendations on what I can use? If it is just round guages I use a drop of either clear high gloss varnish or future. If its something more square you may have to cut some clear acetate or cellophane to put in place as a lense.
StevenGuthmiller Posted December 30, 2019 Posted December 30, 2019 A dab of one of the UV light setting glues is what I have been using. Put a drop on the gauge, spread it around a bit to level it and then hit it with the UV light. It will set hard in a few seconds and give you a shiny surface as well as some depth. Steve
espo Posted December 30, 2019 Posted December 30, 2019 Generally I'll use a drop or two of Tamiya X-22 Clear paint. I have used the old Future Floor Polish with similar results, I just prefer the Tamiya product.
OldNYJim Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 Another way that I tried recently was using a little circle of clear transparency sheet - my wife grabbed me some from her office but I’ve seen them in art stores and places like Staples...you don’t get the cool dome like with epoxy or clear paint though...
Ramfins59 Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 3 minutes ago, Cornpatch said: I just use a drop of Epoxy glue I agree... Mix a small batch of 2 part clear epoxy and apply a drop to the gauge bezel with a toothpick enough to have a dome-like effect... It also sort of "magnifies" the gauge face a bit.
peteski Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 (edited) WARNING: If 5-minute epoxy is used, it will turn amber after few years. I have had this happen with multiple brands of epoxy. I will never again try to use it as a clear lens. Edited January 1, 2020 by peteski
RichCostello Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 I've used Testors clear parts cement/window maker.
Bills72sj Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 1 hour ago, RichCostello said: I've used Testors clear parts cement/window maker. I have that and I like it. Have you built any that are old enough to know if it yellows?
RichCostello Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Bills72sj said: I have that and I like it. Have you built any that are old enough to know if it yellows? I don't think any have yellowed, but it's hard to see inside a built model.
Bills72sj Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 31 minutes ago, RichCostello said: ...but it's hard to see inside a built model. That is one of the main reasons I usually do not put a lot of effort into interiors.
OldNYJim Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 1 hour ago, crazyjim said: Mod Podge. Ohh, that’s an interesting one I haven’t heard before - have you got a pic of one that you’ve done like that? I’d love to see!
DPNM Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 (edited) The cheap/easy route is Elmer's white glue. As to epoxy yellowing, it is more than likely similar to clear coat paint. If there is a yellow tint to the mixture it will eventually yellow. No, I'm not a chemist, just thinking about the similarities. Edited January 1, 2020 by DPNM
crazyjim Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 30 minutes ago, CabDriver said: Ohh, that’s an interesting one I haven’t heard before - have you got a pic of one that you’ve done like that? I’d love to see! Can't really see it too good.
misterNNL Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 I have successfully used Micro Krystal Klear. I used that same product to create a pair of driver's goggles for a TROG speedster. I used copper wire to make the rims and then made the lenses by dragging the stuff across them with a tooth pick. I made the straps from painters tape. That dries clear and shiny for a very convincing set of lenses. A drop if in center of a dash gauge works well and requires no mixing like epoxy.
OldNYJim Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 1 hour ago, crazyjim said: Can't really see it too good. Nice interior! Thanks Jim - I’ll give it a try!
peteski Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 5 hours ago, DPNM said: The cheap/easy route is Elmer's white glue. As to epoxy yellowing, it is more than likely similar to clear coat paint. If there is a yellow tint to the mixture it will eventually yellow. No, I'm not a chemist, just thinking about the similarities. I'm also not sure why or how, but I got burned by it, so I warned others. It ruined my Pocher 1:8 scale Mercedes 540K gauges - they turned dark amber. I have also used on couple other models (for headlight lenses or other clear items, and they all yellowed (turned amber).
Bills72sj Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 6 hours ago, peteski said: I'm also not sure why or how, but I got burned by it, so I warned others. It ruined my Pocher 1:8 scale Mercedes 540K gauges - they turned dark amber. I have also used on couple other models (for headlight lenses or other clear items, and they all yellowed (turned amber). Elmers or epoxy? I would like to heed your warning.
peteski Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 57 minutes ago, Bills72sj said: Elmers or epoxy? I would like to heed your warning. It was posted here on Dec 31st. On 12/31/2019 at 7:14 PM, peteski said: WARNING: If 5-minute epoxy is used, it will turn amber after few years. I have had this happen with multiple brands of epoxy. I will never again try to use it as a clear lens.
Bills72sj Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 3 hours ago, peteski said: It was posted here on Dec 31st. Ok thanks. I don't use the stuff anyways.
Cornpatch Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 Elmers Glue now has a clear household glue out. It also works nicely, but don't know if it will yellow or not.
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