hedotwo Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 (edited) I can't claim this tip as my own as there have been a few posts on it years ago, but I was happy to learn of it as I tend to do lots of builds that have built in chrome headlights. I found these at Hobby Lobby and picked up various sizes for the headlights I encounter. After experimenting on a few, I found that using my close up glasses and a real sharp knife I could slice just the convex from the remainder. I was left with what looked like hard contact lenses. These aren't entirely domed shaped so you really have to slice them carefully to get just the dome without sides. I tried the 7mm size and it fit the headlights from my '55 chev gasser I'm currently working on. Granted it will be much tougher on smaller headlights but at least the result is worth it. I sprayed the chrome with Dullcote and then clear canopy glue to hold the lenses down. Edited May 30, 2020 by hedotwo grammar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Looks good, particularly because the flutes in real headlight lenses are on the inside, and the smooth clear over-lenses you've shown do a good job of recreating that appearance when used over the old-style chrome lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 That's a good tip! I have some of those wiggle eyes and could use them on a Ford hardtop I got from Tom Coolidge years ago! Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Great tip Rich, thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Austin Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 Some 20 odd years ago I experimented with making some dished truck wheel centers in 1:35 scale using those wiggly eye lenses. Results were so-so, but it's something to consider and could be adapted to 1:25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Bartrop Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 Those wiggles eyes are useful for so many things. If you don't want to play around with knives for the small ones, you can just sand the backs off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HJK Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 You all might laugh at me, but to be honest I don't understand what part of the wiggle eyes you use for what. Is it possible to get some more explanatory detail, please? Thanks, Juergen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 i believe they are using the clear lens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuilderX Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Neat Idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 13 hours ago, HJK said: You all might laugh at me, but to be honest I don't understand what part of the wiggle eyes you use for what. Is it possible to get some more explanatory detail, please? Thanks, Juergen Definitely the clear, domed "bubble" part. I used some small ones for making some driving light lenses years ago. When you separate the bubble from the backing portion of one of those eyes with the right diameter, the lens portion is very useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HJK Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Greg, Thanks for your reply. But the domed part of the wiggle eyes lack the lattice-like structure which the real headlight glasses have, is that right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gman Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 3 hours ago, HJK said: Greg, Thanks for your reply. But the domed part of the wiggle eyes lack the lattice-like structure which the real headlight glasses have, is that right? Correct. The driving light lenses I was replicating were the HID type, where the reflector pattern is not in the lens but in the reflector behind the bulb. If you look at the OP's post, he is using them over chromed headlights, which don't have a lens- the fluted pattern is already on the headlight, and when using the clear plastic portion of the eye over top of it, the clear lens adds realism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HJK Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Got it! Thanks Greg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super28 Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Great idea. Thanks for sharing. Will work on alot of my builds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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