Clear Red

[vintagerpm]

I've got a problem that has been vexing me for some time now. How do apply clear red paint to concave clear lenses and get an even coating? I've tried Tamiya acrylic and Gravity lacquer. I've tried hand brushing and airbrushing. (OK, I only tried airbrushing the acrylic. I hate setting up and then cleaning the airbrush for just a tiny bit of lacquer paint.) No matter what, all the paint runs to the low point, making it thick and dark there, with no color anywhere else.

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by vintagerpm

[Mark]

Airbrushing, you'd have to blow the paint on in such a way that it would hit the surface virtually dry.

[stinkybritches]

Have you tried the backside of the lens to see how it looks? My painting skills suck so I usually use a red sharpie if it's a smaller part. 

[espo]

I have used the Tamiya X-27 Clear Red for about as long as I can remember for tail lights. What I would suggest is to not try and do it all with just one coat of the paint. I have had the best luck by giving the lenses at lease two light coats of paint. I allow them to completely dry before any additional coats of paint.   

[vintagerpm]

1 hour ago, stinkybritches said:

Have you tried the backside of the lens to see how it looks? My painting skills suck so I usually use a red sharpie if it's a smaller part. 

Ah yes, red Sharpie. I should have thought of that. Thank you, it worked perfectly.

Funny thing is, I haven't had similar problems with Tamiya's yellow and blue clears.

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, espo said:

I have used the Tamiya X-27 Clear Red for about as long as I can remember for tail lights. What I would suggest is to not try and do it all with just one coat of the paint. I have had the best luck by giving the lenses at lease two light coats of paint. I allow them to completely dry before any additional coats of paint.   

This worked for me, I think I did three coats and the color evened out really well. I painted these on the inside of the lens then painted the bezel with Molotow.

 

[ChrisBcritter]

If you don't have a Sharpie, put the lens in an alligator clip or other small clamp, paint it, then turn it upside down while it dries. After it does, put a little dab in the center if necessary. Done! 

Edited January 6, 2021 by ChrisBcritter

[Bainford]

19 hours ago, espo said:

I have used the Tamiya X-27 Clear Red for about as long as I can remember for tail lights. What I would suggest is to not try and do it all with just one coat of the paint. I have had the best luck by giving the lenses at lease two light coats of paint. I allow them to completely dry before any additional coats of paint.   

This is my method as well, and never had a problem. Tamiya also has clear red in lacquer bottle now. I've bought some but have yet to try it.

For clarification, I am airbrushing the stuff, not hand painting.

[espo]

1 minute ago, Bainford said:

This is my method as well, and never had a problem. Tamiya also has clear red in lacquer bottle now. I've bought some but have yet to try it.

For clarification, I am airbrushing the stuff, not hand painting.

You wouldn't want to turn me lose with an air brush on such a small part. We all go with what works best for us and I like the ease of the brush clean up and what seems to me to be better control of the application if I get to much on the lens I wick it away with the corner of a paper towel.  

[Michael jones]

The tamiya LP clear red is much more red than the X27 "red" which is more orange.