Fixing Chrome Headlights

[drifterdon]

I'm trying to find out what others are doing to get rid of that toy look with chrome headlights short of drilling them out and replacing with clear parts.   I've seen where others have covered them over with something that gets rid of that too shiny look but a search of the forum isn't turning up anything.   I'm sure this has been covered before but for the life of me I can't find it.

[Theo]

Hey Don

I have been using Bondic or other similar UV activated resin to create convincing (at least to me) lenses over the chrome headlights.

Here is a quick youtube review (not me)

 

Theo

[Plowboy]

I use a thick layer of Testors windshield glue.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I always drill them out and replace them now, but in the past, I would just use some clear gloss mixed with just a touch of white, and maybe an even smaller dab of silver.

 

 

Steve

[bh1701]

I use a cheap craft paint I got at either Hobby Lobby or Michael's. It was from the Martha Stewart line of paints (might not be made any longer?). The color is called Pearl. It has a silver-white pearlized finish. If the Martha Stewart line is no longer available, maybe one of the other craft paints has something similar.

The headlights on this Lincoln were done this way. I would guess that you could add some Bondic over them to simulate the lenses (but I did not do that).

Thanks,

Bart

 

[Rodent]

Bart, that looks nice. I think some canopy glue or Bondic on the top would make them much better.

[CabDriver]

Createx / Wicked Colors white pearl does a good job of replicating the trick shown by @bh1701 above there too 

[ewetwo]

I use Model Masters opaque flat clear.

[spencer1984]

I'll often use decals, with or without a layer of clear over top of them.

Edited November 3, 2022 by spencer1984

[moparfarmer]

On 11/1/2022 at 4:23 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

I always drill them out and replace them now, but in the past, I would just use some clear gloss mixed with just a touch of white, and maybe an even smaller dab of silver.

 

 

Steve

I use Tamiya Flat clear about 2-3 cotes..

[slusher]

You can use sone clear and put clear lenses over the chrome. One of our members who died did it that way..

[drifterdon]

Thanks all for the suggestions.   BONDIC looks promising but I'm not sure of the yellowing of the resin.   I'll definitely be giving some of these ideas a try.   👍

[Smoke Wagon]

I use UV-curing clear nail polish. It’s worked great for me and my results haven’t yellowed yet. 

[customline]

I bought the AMT '69 Torino Cobra Jet Fastback kit with eager anticipation. Couldn't wait to open it. What I found inside was an old screw-bottom/promo with chrome headlight lenses 😟. I thought about how many extra clear lenses and Model A headlight nacelles I have in my parts stash. No prob-lay-mo! I will drill out the stupid chrome, add suitable headlight buckets to the backside and find some clear lenses to fit. RIGHT? 🥴. Then I'll cut out the radiator support with the screw bosses molded to it and fab up a new radiator support and find a suitable radiator in my stash. I paid 22 bucks for this kit and thought I was getting a great bargain 😄.....I dunno...maybe just try to overlay some lenses and use canopy glue to hold 'em. Turning a lemon into a slightly improved lemon. Don't mind me, I'm just venting.

Edited November 14, 2022 by customline
Added photo

[NOBLNG]

Here’s a couple of threads that might help.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/118442-finally-nice-headlights/

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/139856-headlight-lens-casting-and-more/#comment-2046624

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/161380-making-headlights/#comment-2452680