Where is the best source for photo etch/epoxy lights?

[Ben]

Does anyone know of a place that has a large assortment of the photo etch lights with the epoxy (clear resin?) on the face to give a glass lens appearance? I am looking for some small round headlights and some small rectangular driving lights in clear.

[B_rad88]

well i honestly dunno of any p/e & epoxy lights, but you might be able to use LED or fiber optics lights.

[J Smith]

Does anyone know of a place that has a large assortment of the photo etch lights with the epoxy (clear resin?) on the face to give a glass lens appearance? I am looking for some small round headlights and some small rectangular driving lights in clear.

There is a co. called MV Products you can buy them from Walters

[Ben]

Here is a place that carries them but they are in Germany. I was hoping to find them here in the US. If anyone wants to see what they look like, scroll down to "photo etch lights". They are very realistic looking!!!!!!

http://modelltrucksandparts.at/shop/

[Nick Winter]

I used to cast clear square driving lights, but have since given away my molds.

[SoCalCarCulture]

Like Jimmy said, the items you are looking for are MV Lenses and they are model railroad products.

These are available in different diameters & colors for different applications, although I think everything I have seen is round - no rectangles to replicate fog lights.

They are available from Walthers. Google MV Products for more online sources and a size chart but if you are ever near a large model train store that will be your best source!

[SoCalCarCulture]

I checked a little more and found this in the Model Retailer 2010 Hobby Industry Directory (Google will find it for you) and this is the info for M.V. Products...

M.V. Products

P.O. Box 6622

Orange, CA 92863

949-770-0489

949-458-7557 Fax

Product Availability: Distributors, direct to dealers and consumers, bulk sales to other manufacturers.

Contact: Bob Gawers

E-mail: bob@MVProducts.com

It also lists the website as www.mvproducts.com but it looks like he just registered the name to use for email because the name is just parked with no site built or hosted at this time.

Hope that helps!

[Ben]

The MV Products lights are very close to what i'm refering too but with the type sold by Modell Trucks and Parts, you get a whole fret of lights for the price of two of those MV lights. Also, if you look closely, on the Modell Truck type lights, the photo etch backing has the facets etched into it to give the lens a more realistic appearance. From what I could see on the MV lights, the photo etch backing is smooth?

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

The MV Products lights are very close to what i'm refering too but with the type sold by Modell Trucks and Parts, you get a whole fret of lights for the price of two of those MV lights. Also, if you look closely, on the Modell Truck type lights, the photo etch backing has the facets etched into it to give the lens a more realistic appearance. From what I could see on the MV lights, the photo etch backing is smooth?

Ben, MV Lenses have a smooth foil type backing. I've never seen those photoetch lights you are referring to until I saw your post. Your only choice will probably be to order some from Modell Truck in Europe. That said, I use MV Lenses for headlights on nearly all of my models. Here's a few pics. They do look much better than regular kit lenses.

Edited April 17, 2010 by Marc @ MPC Motorsports

[B_rad88]

Here is a place that carries them but they are in Germany. I was hoping to find them here in the US. If anyone wants to see what they look like, scroll down to "photo etch lights". They are very realistic looking!!!!!!

http://modelltrucksandparts.at/shop/

oh, i thought you was talking about using actual lights, lol, sorry, my-b!

[Ben]

Ben, MV Lenses have a smooth foil type backing. I've never seen those photoetch lights you are referring to until I saw your post. Your only choice will probably be to order some from Modell Truck in Europe. That said, I use MV Lenses for headlights on nearly all of my models. Here's a few pics. They do look much better than regular kit lenses.

Man, that black Cobra is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your right, those MV lenses really make a huge difference. You have to see these other ones that i'm talking about. With the lines etched onto the backing, they REALLY look like real glass headlights!!!!