Mikevango Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I just got this phantom van kit from eBay. I am just starting to get ideas on how I'm going to do it. My question is how to make the molded in chrome headlights look a little more real. But you have to remember I'm not the best modeler. The kit looks pretty good to me except for the chrome headlights and no chrome mags. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) You basically have a couple of options. Either you could drill them out, Make or pirate some headlight reflectors & find some lenses to fit, or you could do what I usually do & paint them with a mixture of mostly acrylic clear coat with just a dab of white & a little metallic silver. It all depends on how detailed you want to go. Steve Edited February 22, 2015 by StevenGuthmiller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsDano85gt Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 can always drill the headlamp out and make a "bucket" from like a junk 30's ford kit headlight buckets that way you have a "clear" headlight lend and debth from the bucket makes for more realism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsDano85gt Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 that kit shows "Mag " wheels on the box are, but they are not included? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I put a good thick coat of Testors Windshield/Canopy Glue over them. It makes a big difference in their appearance. This is what it looks like on an AMT '65 GTO with chrome head lights. Another simple trick (if possible) is to just glue a clear lense over the the chrome head lights. Doesn't look like that won't work on your particular grille though. If the head light is recessed behind the trim ring, it works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikevango Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 So a mix of a little white and a little silver then cover them with testors window maker. I will probably try that. I don't really have any extra parts anymore. My extra parts got messed up in a basement flood years ago. I'm getting back into modeling again and having fun. The kit has mags but they are not plated. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 On the real van the grille was more of a silver color...might stand out better if it was??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 So a mix of a little white and a little silver then cover them with testors window maker. No, don't add anything but the window maker, as Roger suggested. You want to keep the reflectivity of the chrome plating, but add some dimension with the canopy maker material. The AMT '78 Ford Super Stones pickup has very similar wheels, and they're chrome plated, but they have no lug nuts, so not really an upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikevango Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) Ok. Here's the test I did on the other grill that came with the kit. The bottom one is just paint and the top is paint with the window maker over top. It's not too bad but I think I'll just use the window maker on the grill I'm using. Thanks. I found a pic of the real van grill and it really isn't chrome so I'll try to make mine just like it. Do you think I should do the headlights first before I paint around them? Edited February 22, 2015 by Mikevango Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 The white "wagon wheels" were SUPER popular on vans and trucks when this kit was originally made. So popular to the point that Ford, GM and Dodge started offering versions of them as factory options on their trucks so them not being plated is not "wrong", just an option. In fact, it was more common to see the white ones back then than the chrome ones. Just wish there was some way to add the red and blue pinstripe that they usually had. Just too small for me to do in 1/25 scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I put a good thick coat of Testors Windshield/Canopy Glue over them. It makes a big difference in their appearance. This is what it looks like on an AMT '65 GTO with chrome head lights. Another simple trick (if possible) is to just glue a clear lense over the the chrome head lights. Doesn't look like that won't work on your particular grille though. If the head light is recessed behind the trim ring, it works great. I've never tried the window maker stuff, but it makes sense. I'll have to give it a try. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramfins59 Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 In addition to detailing the headlight lenses as has been suggested, you might also wany to give the center part of the grille a blackwash with either The Detailer, or thinned down flat black paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikevango Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 In addition to detailing the headlight lenses as has been suggested, you might also wany to give the center part of the grille a blackwash with either The Detailer, or thinned down flat black paint. For sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodie_83 Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Ditto on the wash. I'd use thinned flat black Testors acrylic paint,brush it in, then after, go over the grille with a q-tip and buff the paint off the unwanted area.. Do this in small areas and be patient...the end result is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miserable Soul Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Dont forget to call/email amt and thank them for being geniuses too ...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drake69 Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 In addition to detailing the headlight lenses as has been suggested, you might also wany to give the center part of the grille a blackwash with either The Detailer, or thinned down flat black paint. Also, Tamiya Smoke acryllic paint (not the spray can but the small bottle...) can do the same job as Detailer Black. But either way, toning down the chrome in the center definitely brings out the headlights more.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I tried the "window maker" on the parking lights on my latest build & it didn't work. It looked as if it was going to while it was wet, but it dried perfectly clear. Oh well, at least I tried it. "Your results may vary". Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I tried the "window maker" on the parking lights on my latest build & it didn't work. It looked as if it was going to while it was wet, but it dried perfectly clear. Oh well, at least I tried it. "Your results may vary". Steve Most likely, you put it on too thin. It does work if you put it on thick enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Most likely, you put it on too thin. It does work if you put it on thick enough. I put it on as thick as the part would allow. So thick in fact, that the glue began to sag onto the bumper before it could dry. And yet, after it dried completely..... Couldn't even tell I put it on. Oh well, maybe I'll try again sometime in the future. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikevango Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 It's getting there. I tried to wash around the headlights with a silver wash. I will put another coat of everything on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveM Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 (edited) How many coats of the clear glue do you use? I might try this with some Micro Kristal Kleer. The headlights on that GTO look great! Edited March 2, 2015 by DaveM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.