Tail light question

[jacko]

I am working on the Fujimi 1/24 250 GTO kit. The tail lights and assorted running lights come on the clear sprue as one piece, so I have to paint the chrome ring and the colored light as one piece. Can I chrome the whole piece with Alclad as I am doing for the rest of the chrome and then paint the colored part with Tamiya clear red and amber, or will the paint dissolve the chrome and make a mess?Would I be better to paint the part and try to do the ring freehand with Molotow or something?

Thanks, John

[Mark]

I'd do the red first, then the chrome.

[Fat Brian]

When I'm working with clear taillights like that I paint them red then back them with bare metal foil. Silver paint isn't reflective but foil makes the lights look like they have some depth.

[espo]

I would also suggest Brian Croft's suggestion. In the past I have painted the appropriate colors on the back side of the clear plastic and then applied Bare Metal Foil. As for the outside trim portion that could be done with foil or a chrome pen depending on what you are comfortable with. As Brian pointed out the chrome foil seems to reflect the light the best and gives the lenses a sense of depth. 

[av405]

I also use Brian's method and am very happy with it.